Spurs host Burnley as Mourinho hopes to maintain another record

When attending a Jose Mourinho press conference currently, there is a running theme. Pressure.

Questions are frequently directed to the Portuguese coach about the precarious cloud hovering over his position as Tottenham boss. Adverse to the achievements enjoyed at other clubs, Mourinho’s Spurs team are languishing ninth in the Premier League table.

“The problem is if you don’t have pressure. I felt in trouble when I was at home and did not have pressure for a few months.

“That’s the problem. It comes like oxygen, it is out life, I don’t think there is any coach in the world without objectives or any kind if pressure. You just get used to it and also used to the way the press is at the time, you just have to adapt to it.”

Due to previous successes, Mourinho’s tenure at Tottenham has seen his records tumble and after defeat to West Ham last defeat, a less desirable one was confirmed. The 81 points achieved by Spurs under his reign is comfortably the lowest of his managerial career.

A sixth placed finish last season and a busy summer transfer window had prompted encouragement but attentions towards ambitions in the league are quickly fading.

Mourinho has faced Burnley more times than any other opponent without defeat in his managerial career (P10 W6 D4). With Spurs desperate for their slide down the league table to come to a halt, the Lilywhites will have to ensure another record isn’t diminished.

A 4-1 win over Wolfsberger in midweek should give confidence of a positive result against Sean Dyche’s Burnley. The visitors are seeking a first win away at Spurs since 1974 and will face a full strength Tottenham side after Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son were rested for the Europa League second leg against the Austrian side.

The Premier League’s longest serving manager, Sean Dyche, has once again delivered an impressive campaign for the Clarets. Built around nine clean sheets in the league, Burnley sit 15th, with the target of ensuring the distance to the relegation zone remains manageable.

“He is doing amazing. I think he has the power to decide to make decisions to choose the players in relation to what the club can give him in relation to his philosophy. He knows the profile of football he wants to play, the profile of team he wants to have.

“He knows how to get the number if points that season after season after season they keep them always far from the dangerous position. Don’t forget they qualified for the Europa League. Just amazing work he is doing, good professional. I am very pleased for the work he is doing.” – Mourinho praised Dyche ahead of the contest in his pre-match press conference

Chris Wood is a contender to lead the line for Burnley as Ashley Barnes remains sidelined. Serge Aurier may return for Spurs to provide an extra attacking outlet on the right.

A win is imperative for Spurs if they harbour hopes of European qualification through the league, with victory potentially breeding momentum heading into fixtures against Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Defeat would see morale plummet further as the Europa League gains importance with every dropped point in the Premier League.

Tom Hardy will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon when Spurs host Burnley.

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