Pritchard reveals his problem at Spurs


This week Alex Pritchard left for Norwich City. He had an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion, who had an agreement with Tottenham reveals Chris Hughton in the national press, but he joined Norwich.

He then spoke about how pleased he was to be joining Norwich, as every player does when they join a new team. What he had to say though was possibly very revealing and explains why he has been unable to secure any more than 73 minutes of  Premier League football, 12 minutes at Tottenham and 61 minutes at WBA on loan.

He has talent so why didn't he progress? The answer can possibly be found in his remarks.

"It was a bit disappointing to finally leave Spurs. But in the end I couldn't wait to get out of there. They just never gave me a chance."

He had a chance in training every day, clearly he was expecting charity, to be given game time he didn't warrant. What is it Mouse Dembele said last summer when Mauricio Pochettino had left him out for most of the season? He said it was HIS responsibility, his fault, he will have to do something to change the situation, he didn't make excuses or look to blame other parties in the way Pritchard has.

It may sound minor, but in fact it is major, it is what makes the difference. Talent isn't enough, you have to have the mentality to go with it. Mauricio Pochettino once again confirmed that a winning mentality is a must at Tottenham these days with his remarks after the Inter Milan thrashing.

“The performance was good but in football, you can’t stop, you have to try to improve every day.”

It is a recurring theme from me I know, but it is so true, winners, players who make it to the top, players who become the best they can be, try to improve every day. Gareth Bale invented a new free-kick while training, Harry Kane has tried to do the same.

The I wasn't given a chance type of thinking is excuse making, you earn game time, you force the manager to pick you and you take the opportunity to pick you. First though, you have to force him to do so by the way you train. If you haven't got the mentality to do that, then you are missing the most important part of football at the top level.

The words of Alex Pritchard, Mousa Dembele and Mauricio Pochettino are very revealing.