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After getting knocked out of the EL, Tottenham puts all forces into the Premiership

Quite surprisingly, Tottenham got knocked out by Gent from EL and now they're looking to rehabilitate in the championship against the rested and a lot more fresher Stoke

Newcastle United

During the two-week championship pause, Tottenham played three games and were disappointed greatly by getting knocked out of the Europa League by Gent. After the 0-1 defeat in Belgium, on Thursday Tottenham played the second leg at Wembley and expected to win and pass, but all they got to see was a 2-2 draw and got knocked out.

Last weekend they at least passed into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 triumph against second-league club Fulham, but the failures against Gent just added up to the worst party in the season in the last championship round at Anfield.

There Liverpool could have defeated the London club more convincingly than just 2-0, so today's match against tenth Stoke will say a lot about the direction the Spurs are heading into.

Even though they're tired and psychologically drained, Mauricio Pochettino's team simply have to do everything in their power in order to win because only earning three points can get them back on tack, and we know what kind of a battle will be led until the very end for the positions bringing the Champions League next season.

- There's no time to cry and think about getting knocked out by Gent because Premier won't wait for us. We have to compose ourselves, show companionship and try to recuperate as best as we can, fully focusing on Stoke because only winning will get us out - manager Pochettino was clear. Except for the left defender Rose and the long-absent Lamela, all of the players are available.

- It's going to be a difficult match because Stoke are a good team, and at this point they're a lot fresher than we are. But, we're never up for an easy job and it's key that we play the way we can. We're again at White Hard Lane, the fans will help us and we'll get back to second place - Pochettino is determined. In the last two seasons in the league Tottenham didn't manage to defeat Stoke, but in the last two away games they beat them with the convincing 4-0.

Another season will go by, and Stoke will continue to rotate in the middle of the table, without making a step towards higher positions, something they hoped for. Considering they brought in some very good players, that's even a little bit frustrating for manager Mark Hughes, but that's a thing of sports.

That's why Hughes's biggest task is tactics and motivation, and the away team's fatigue could be an easy circumstance in North London, even though points are something the hosts need a lot more for the goals they want to achieve.

- We disappointed in the first leg against Tottenham in this championship, but now our shape is a lot better and we don't want to come to London only to block all of their attacks, but we want to move towards their end as much as possible. It's very important to show courage and fierceness from the start, and now fear from their game and quality - explained Stoke's manager Mark Hughes. Except for the four longer absent players, defender Bardsley is questionable for today.

The best news for Hughes is the recovery of wing forward Shaqiri, and the offense will once more be led by Tottenham's ex-center forward Peter Crouch.

- Tottenham are a top team and they're very impressive at home, with no defeats, and the talent of some of their players still needs to develop. For us it would be better that Dele Alli wasn't sent off against Gent because now he'll be a little bit more rested and more motivated, but if we're determined, fast and always in possession, I believe we stand a chance for a good result - Mark Hughes hopes. Stoke lost four out of the last five away games in the league, but their opponents were Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and WBA.