Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has stressed the importance of his side showing patience against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
The North London side go into the game in fine form but the Baggies have been something of a bogey opponent in recent years in the Premier League.
A 1-1 draw against West Brom at the end of last season played a role in derailing the club’s title aspirations, with the same score at the Hawthorns earlier this term.
Tony Pulis’ men have had a positive campaign so far in 2016-17 and Pochettino has stressed that it will be a difficult challenge for his side at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
“Yes, one of the keys is to be patient, try to move the ball quickly and try to find space to move them,” he told the club’s official website.
“They will play very deep, they’ll try to play on the counter-attack and with set pieces and it’s important for us to be patient, to try to handle the ball in a better way, try to avoid the counter-attack and try to find gaps to create chances.”
Pochettino is not focusing on the recent difficulties that Tottenham have had against West Brom and instead has stated that Spurs go into the game full of confidence and looking to win.
“For me the past is the past,” he continued.
“We need to put that idea away. I am very focused on this season, this will be a different game.
“It’s true that maybe you could relate to that result in the past but for me I don’t care about that – it’s a new game, a different game, a different period and I think it will be tough because West Brom are doing great, (they are having) a fantastic season so far and in the Premier League it’s always difficult to play every team.”
Tottenham enter the weekend’s action in third place and will know that victory over the Baggies in Saturday’s early Premier League fixture will put pressure on the other sides in the top four.