Pochettino sees bright future

11 May 2013 14:47

Mauricio Pochettino believes the future is bright for Southampton but will not be getting ahead of himself with survival yet to be secured.

Southampton are four points off the drop zone heading into tomorrow's penultimate game at Sunderland - a situation that means Pochettino has put future plans on the back burner.

"I think we have enough time to speak about next season's goals," the Saints boss said. "We've first got these two games coming up. We need to be very much respectful of this season, which has not yet finished."

He added: "We will have ample time to speak about next season's goals once this season's goals have been achieved.

"I have not spoken about transfers or made any plans regarding that yet. But if we look back at previous seasons I am pretty sure the chairman will have an investment plan to bring in new players and reinforce the squad."

That squad could be stretched at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, with Gaston Ramirez and Danny Fox both suspended.

Morgan Schneiderlin, Maya Yoshida and Emmanuel Mayuka are doubts for the match against a side Pochettino has been impressed by since Paolo Di Canio's arrival.

"When we arrive at this stage of the season, if we look at how Southampton play and Sunderland play, I think we have the right attributes to be very dangerous teams," he said. "It is very clear that Sunderland have a very quick team, quick players, strong players and fitness-wise they are very strong. That said, so do Southampton.

"It is clear since that ever since Paolo Di Canio's arrival that he has been able to transmit a very strong character.

"They are a team that plays very compact, very much together and they have been able to play out the concepts that he has been establishing for the team so he has been doing quite well ever since he arrived at that club."

Source: PA