Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports his team are targeting first place in the Premier League, adding it “makes a difference” despite being so early into the season.
Spurs currently sit third on 14 points after four wins, two draws and a loss in their first seven league games. They lie only one point behind Leicester City and two behind leaders Liverpool.
But the north London side travel to West Bromwich Albion for the Sunday 12pm kick-off.
That will see them play before Leicester host Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City entertain Liverpool. It means a win against Slaven Bilic’s outfit would see Spurs go top.
Mourinho: Clinical, cynical eyes
He said: “It’s nice (being top of the table). We are not going to hide that – you always look at the table and where you are.
“If you look through clinical, cynical eyes, you see that (being top) doesn’t mean a lot. The league is so compact. But to look at it and see you are third or second or fourth or first makes a difference.”
Mourinho also declared he has more self-control on the touchline now than when he received the red card for kicking a water bottle while in charge of Manchester United against Bilic’s West Ham in 2016.
The Portuguese tactician said: “The good thing is that for a long, long, long, long time I didn’t get a suspension or a ban.
“I haven’t lost my passion. But I am more experienced and have more emotional control.”
Tottenham without talented trio for European trip
However, Mourinho first needs to prepare Tottenham for a tough away fixture against Bulgarian side Ludogorets tonight.
Spurs currently lie second in Europa League Group J, three points behind leaders Antwerp after losing 1-0 in Belgium. A result that infuriated Mourinho.
And Spurs will be without defensive duo Sergio Reguilon, who has flu, and Serge Aurier. Meanwhile, attacking midfielder Erik Lamela has what Mourinho described as a “little problem”, which will keep him out of the game.
However, academy product and versatile defender Japhet Tanganga is closing in on a return to first-team action after injury.
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