Andros Townsend claims that former Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino is not given enough credit for his work in north London, per talkSPORT via HITC.

What’s he said?

Townsend played for Spurs between 2009 and 2016, though he fell out of favour at the end of the 2015/16 season following a touchline argument with a fitness coach. Following that row, Pochettino did not select Townsend, who made a total of 93 appearances for the club.

Nevertheless, the Crystal Palace winger has gone to bat for his old manager, who was sacked in November.

Indeed, the Argentine took over at the club in 2014 following a season in which they finished sixth and were humiliated by a number of top clubs and their local rivals; they lost 6-0 to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and 5-1 at White Hart Lane, 5-0 to Liverpool at home and 4-0 away, as well as 4-0 to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. They were also beaten 3-0 and 2-0 by West Ham United; Arsenal also did the double over them.

Under Pochettino, Spurs mounted two Premier League title challenges and also reached the Champions League final last term.

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Townsend said: “People are so hung up on what trophies he has or hasn’t won.

"But if you see, the day he joined Tottenham to the day he left, it's incredible.

"The season before he joined, Spurs were a laughing stock. They were losing 5-0 to Liverpool, 4-0 to City, 4-0 to Chelsea. We were pretty much a laughing stock. And then five years later in the final of the Champions League.

"For some reason, he is still not getting the credit he deserves because he hasn't won this trophy. For him, it was about the project and, for me, he completed that project

"I remember I had the same feeling [wondering who Pochettino was at first]. But, the minute I worked with him, I knew he was the real deal. His training methods.

"I have never worked as hard as I have done under Pochettino. The gym sessions are hard and the pitch sessions are definitely an eye-opener for me. It was revolutionary."

Some sense

This is a superb take from Townsend.

The fact that he left under a cloud and yet is still so level-headed about the former Spurs boss is impressive in itself.

Add into that the fact that he has made some genuinely excellent points and it adds up to a remarkably salient interview.

Spurs became a genuine force under Pochettino, and were perhaps the best team in the country in the 2016/17 season, when they finished second behind Chelsea.

They went unbeaten at White Hart Lane that term and lost just four games all season; even the Blues lost one more.

Pochettino may have seen some of his legacy disintegrate around him this season prior to his sacking but he has left an incredible legacy behind him.

More would do well to see that.

Meanwhile, Spurs have to avoid this potential swoop for a European ace!