Tottenham Hotspurs ’unsettled’ says manager Mauricio Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspurs’ poor form continued after the Premier League club made a shock exit from the League Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino claimed his struggling Tottenham side are “unsettled” after they suffered an embarrassing League Cup third-round defeat at fourth-tier Colchester on Tuesday.

Pochettino’s team were beaten 4-3 on penalties after being held to a goalless draw by a club 71 places below them, with Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura both missing during the shootout.

It was appropriate that Eriksen’s effort was saved as the Denmark playmaker has been focus for much of the unrest in the Tottenham camp.

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Eriksen said he wanted a new challenge at the end of last season, but his hopes of securing a move were dashed.

Jan Vertonghen, Danny Rose, Toby Alderweireld and Victor Wanyama also endured uncertainty about their futures and, even now the transfer window is closed, it remains uncertain whether they have long-term prospects at the club.

Colchester United’s Luke Norris is mobbed by fans after the League Two team defeated Tottenham Picture: Getty Images

Pochettino conceded there are still issues behind the scenes, contributing to Tottenham’s lacklustre start just months after their incredible run to the Champions League final.

“When you have an unsettled squad always it’s difficult and you lose time and then you need time to recover the time you lose,” Pochettino told reporters.

“That’s where we are. Maybe our performances are good but you need this extra, which is mental, connection, it’s energy to be all together, not to have different agendas in the squad.

“We need time again to build that togetherness that you need when you are competing at this level.

“We are in a period where it’s a bit tough for us but we keeping working to find a solution.

“When this type of thing happens it’s about staying clear and fresh and calm. We’re trying to find solutions and we only need time.”

There were no shocks elsewhere in the third round for top-flight teams, with Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester among those racking up big wins. Looking to win the League Cup for a third straight season, Manchester City began their title defence with a 3-0 win at second-tier Preston.

City manager Pep Guardiola rotated heavily but still included some of his big names, with two of them — Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus — scoring. There was also an own-goal.

“They treat the (cup) the same way as the Champions League,” Preston manager Alex Neil. “That’s why they’re champions. It’s always nice to come up against the best.”

Gabriel Martinelli, an 18-year-old Brazilian forward, made his first competitive start for Arsenal and marked it by scoring two goals in a 5-0 win over second- tier Nottingham Forest.

Signed from Brazilian club Ituano during the off-season, Martinelli showed why he is highly rated in his homeland by heading home powerfully for his first goal and then finding the top corner to complete the scoring in stoppage time. Rob Holding, Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson also scored, while there was a belated debut for left back Kieran Tierney, who joined from Celtic in the off-season but has been out with a groin injury.

Arsenal’s rookie Gabriel Martinelli heads home the first goal against Nottingham Forrest Picture: Getty Images

Leicester won 4-0 at second-tier Luton, Southampton won by the same scoreline at south-coast rival Portsmouth, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored two early goals for Everton in its 2-0 win at second-tier Sheffield Wednesday. Watford responded to its chastening 8-0 loss to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday by beating second-tier Swansea 2-1, with Danny Welbeck scoring his first goal since an off-season move from Arsenal.

Liverpool and Manchester United are among the teams in action on Wednesday, when the draw for the fourth round will be made.

Agencies