Tottenham's Mauricio Pochettino: Postpone Europa League sides' Prem matches to Monday nightsSpurs have lost 4 of 6 games on Sundays this season after playing in UEFA's No2 competition on Thursdays and manager wants an extra 24 hours to recover
Headache: Pochettino wants the Premier League to be more flexible on post-Europe fixtures
Mauricio Pochettino has demanded that the Premier League do more to help English football’s Euro-travellers.
Pochettino's Tottenham side have lost four of the six domestic matches so far this season which have immediately followed a Europa League fixture.
The Londoners could clinch a place in the last 32 when they host Partizan Belgrade on Thursday night, but they then face a crucial Premier League clash against Everton on Sunday.
And boss Pochettino has called for more help for English clubs playing in the continental competitions.
The former coach of Barcelona side Espanyol said: said: “For Sunday, we are in the same position as [fellow Europa League side] Everton. They play in Germany and we play at home. Maybe it is a good idea to play [after Europa League matches on the] Monday as one day more is good for the players to recover.
“In Spain, they look after the clubs who are involved in the international competition. I think it is a good idea.
“One day [extra] is very good for the player because maybe you play in Turkey, Serbia or Greece and you arrive at 4am [Friday]. It changes your sleep and after you need to train on Friday and Saturday and Sunday you play at 1pm. It is very difficult.”
Striker Emmanuel Adebayor recently caused a stir after suggesting Spurs were better off playing away due to the toxic atmosphere at White Hart Lane.
However, Tottenham have a impressive European record on home soil and Pochettino admits they need to play with more freedom in the Premier League.
“Our results are negative - we have lost four at home,” he said. “We need to find the solutions. It is true in the Europa League we have had very good results here and we are happy.
“Maybe, the team feels more freedom than in the Premier League. It is different competitions. Maybe we are more confident in the Europa League, our feeling is more free - to play and show our skill.
“It is always difficult to play Thursday and Sunday after the competition, but we need to try and show the same on Sunday against Everton.”
Sunday’s come from behind win at Hull means Spurs are now just two points off the top four, despite a stuttering start to the season.
However, Pochettino is taking the Europa League just as seriously, as it now provides a back door into the Champions League next season for the winners.
Before a rematch of September's goalless draw in Serbia, he added: “It’s one possibility more. Is it realistic? The Europa League is a tough competition, but this year is a good opportunity if you win it to play for the Champions League next season.”
Tottenham vs Partizan Belgrade: Probable teamsTottenham (4-2-3-1) Lloris; Naughton, Dier, Chiriches, Davies; Stambouli, Bentaleb;Paulinho, Eriksen, Lennon; Soldado.
Partizan (4-4-1-1) Lukac; Vulicevic, Cirkovic, Stankovic, Volkov; Grbi, B Ilic, Drincic, Pantic; S Ilic; D Lazovic.
