What's the latest team news?
Pretty similar to last week to be honest. A few that are touch and go for the weekend but we're in a good place.
Is there frustration for you with the side so unpredictable, it feels like two steps forward, two steps back?
I wouldn't say that. We have been inconsistent all season on the pitch but sometimes also off it. I've said in the last two or three weeks and have remained consistent that if you act a certain way and stick to it, and really believe in what you're doing and continue to work in that way, that transfers onto the training pitch and that's where we are at the moment. We're working consistently here. We know we're doing that. The final thing and most important thing is the games at the weekend.
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Is there a concern it is too big for you, it's your dream job, so nowhere to go after?
No, not at all. I've said that I feel ready to help this club in this moment, and I absolutely do. I trust my team and the people at the club. Of course those decisions are club decisions but I remain confident in who I am and who my coaching team are as people. I feel I have a good connection with this club and the players and we can make an impact in a short space of time. And of course going forward those things in the future are not really on my mind. We are trying to create something right now and we're doing OK at that. But of course it's important we get results on the football pitch.
Have you had any of the players, Harry Kane for example, say to you 'gaffer we'd love you to get the job'?
There is a professional respect between us and when we're in these walls, we are all working for the same thing. With Harry, with other players as well. I think that's one of the most important messages I've been trying to get across not just to the players but the staff members coming here that we are working for this football club and we all need to be working for this football club, and in order to be successful we all need to buy in and be together otherwise it can become difficult. Hopefully that will continue in the next 10 days and also going forward. I think that's really important.
Would you stay on under a new manager?
I'm really not thinking about next season. If my attention goes to six or seven weeks' time, I'd be very stupid to take my eye off the ball now.
I'm aware of the situation now. I know me and my team are doing the best we can, we're doing good. Whatever happens in the summer or next season, there is definitely decisions to be made but at this moment in time we don't know what they'll be.
Which players are touch and go?
We had a couple last week who couldn't make the squad [Dier and Tanganga] and we're assessing them day by day. We've got a session in a minute and we'll see.
What are your aims for the season?
The most important thing is to get results, that's what we're working for. At the same time I'd like to start seeing what we believe our team should look like. It's been such a short space of time but we believe and trust in the work we're doing. In the next two games, inside the players can feel that change and if it can transfer to the outside I think it would be an added bonus but the most important thing, of course, is getting the results.
What's been good?
I believe in the way I work, me and my team. I have more belief now than I've ever had in my life that what we're doing, for this football club, the environment, the feeling we're trying to create here. I believe in it so much. That's probably where it [my positivity] is coming from.
How do you stop conceding early?
It's a tough one because it's been such a common trend the whole season, not just in recent weeks. I just go back to the consistency. When you have solid foundations and you're a team and you're strong. It can happen in football but probably it happens less. Going forward that has to be a thing: a team that's strong and a football club that's strong, and it probably happens a bit less.
Thomas Frank – is he an example to look at?
Of course. I respect him massively, like I respect any head coach or manager because it is a big ask. The job he has done is fantastic. I don't need to speak about that because it is clear for everyone to see. I think Brentford as football club has done very good job as well, so we're all aware of that, but our focus inside here is not on other people. It can't be on other people. It is on us and trying to create a good feeling inside these walls.
With no Ivan Toney, does that make Brentford a different proposition?
It changes some things, but probably their biggest strength is they are a team. They have shown they are a strong team and regardless of who is playing, they have a very clear identity and they play to that. Yes, of course they have an individual who is not playing but it doesn't change our preparation for the game.
It's the last home game of the season, do you have a message for the fans?
I mean it is important they see and feel a team that is trying to transfer energy to them. That is probably one of the most important messages we've been trying to give to the players this week. We want energy, we want to feel that energy inside the stadium because our fans have been fantastic this season. They've stuck with us and have been with us the whole time. Yeah, we want to give them something to feel good about."
How much of a bonus is it having Yves Bissouma back?
It is a bonus because if we look at this season, we've probably never had all five fit and firing at the whole time. I go to the front players and there were periods when Richy was injured and he came back and then Deki injured, so to create that competition and drive on the training has probably been missing.
Obviously Yves is back now and we've got Skippy, Pape and Pierre an Rodrigo is out. Ideally you have all of them fit and firing and you can really drive that in training. Of course we signed Yves in the last summer transfer window and we believe in him. He's coming to the stage of the season where he's back and I think he's someone that we hope that in next couple of games, if he's selected, he can bring that energy.
Is he ready to start?
I think that when players train and they train fully then in my eyes they are fit to play. So I've got a decision to make, we've got players to pick from and he's certainly one that is available to play.
What does he bring compared to the others?
I think that every one of our midfielders has different strengths and probably one of Yves' biggest strengths is his ability to get on the ball and drive. He can be an all-round midfielder. We have good midfielders that can do the same thing but I think he is an explosive player and hopefully he can help us in the next two games.
It feels like the season is petering out, but there's still plenty play for, how important is it that Spurs are in Europe next season?
There's always a lot to play for when you play for this football club. When you represent this club, it's big club to represent and regardless of what situation the club are in, it's important. Of course we're in a position where there is a lot to play for and we understand that. Hopefully our energy can really show everyone how we feel right now.
Why has it not worked for Bssouma this season and how do you unlock the best of him?
I think that is quite normal when you come into different style of play and a different system, it can take time. We see it with players that come from abroad to the Premier League, they have to adjust, and the same goes for an English player or someone who has been playing in the Premier League to have to adjust to a new team and a new style of play. Obviously he's had a few injuries this season that have probably halted his progress, but there are two games now and I can feel the excitement from him that he's back out on the training pitch and he's out there playing and he feels like he can help the team and hopefully he can do that.
Would you advise the club to sign Clement Lenglet permanently?
These conversations I'm sure will happen in the summer. Right now it's not on my mind but I would say about Clem is that he is the type of character we want around the training ground, he is professional, he does it right. He's vocal and the more people we can keep hold of and get in the more beneficial it is.
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