Football
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Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham ready to capitalise on Leicester slip

LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham are focused on doing "their job" against Stoke after Leicester City stumbled in Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Ham.

A victory at the Britannia Stadium on Monday night would see Spurs close the gap to league leaders Leicester to five points with four matches remaining after Leonardo Ulloa's stoppage-time penalty rescued a point for the Foxes on Sunday.

Although Leicester remain favourites for the title, Pochettino is confident Spurs can capitalise on Sunday's slip-up.

"I am a very positive person in life. I always believe that things can happen -- good things for us," Pochettino said.

"I never wish for bad things for them but I want them to drop points in the next few games, and we win, and reduce the distance to them and try to win [the title].

"You never know. In football, anything can happen. One thing can change things. We are in love with football because it is not predictable, and now we need to believe, then we need to do our job. This is important. Only that. We need to do our job."

At this stage of last season, Leicester were one point above the relegation zone, and Claudio Ranieri's minnows started the campaign as 5000/1 outsiders to win a maiden top-flight crown.

As the underdogs, Leicester are the neutrals choice as champions and Spurs would be unpopular winners if they overhaul the Foxes -- even though they are without a title of their own since 1961.

It was put to Pochettino that Spurs would be like the hunter who killed Bambi's mother if they wreck Leicester's fairytale but the Argentine feels all his players would deserve huge credit, and "a statue", if they do.

"Ah, Bambi... Come on!," laughed Pochettino. "I think it's good. They deserve it, but we cannot fight against all that happens to Leicester. We need to fight against them, and against us and our opponents. It's a very good challenge.

"We know that all the people want Leicester to be champions but we need to believe that we can change the story.

"If we won the championship, every player would deserve a statue. The challenge is big because seven points [currently eight] is a big gap but to keep fighting in the way that we have fought and in the end win the title, all the people would recognise our value. And we would be happy, too."

Pochettino has not beaten Stoke in seven attempts with Tottenham and former club Southampton, and Spurs blew at two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at White Hart Lane in August after losing 2-1 and 3-0 to the Potters last season.

The Argentine admits his three meetings with Stoke as Spurs boss have been among his most frustrating at the club but sees Monday as another opportunity to change history.

"It's true they were very frustrating moments for us. They were tough. But in football, you always look to another opportunity to win or to fix that, and we have in front a very good opportunity to try to win and fight for big things. That is to be in the race for the title.

"No, I haven't [beaten Stoke] with Southampton or Tottenham but it's like Manchester United. We hadn't beaten them at home for 15 years and we did it on Sunday. Maybe I change the history against Stoke."

Meanwhile, Pochettino refused to comment on speculation that Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta could join his backroom staff.

The pair spent a season together at Paris Saint-Germain and Arteta, 34, who is out of contract in the summer, has previously described Pochettino as "like a father" to him.

"I love him and he loves me," Pochettino said. "You know our history from Paris Saint-Germain, when he was 17 and I was the captain. We have a very good relationship. But the thing is a rumour, and you know I never speak about rumours."

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