Thursday 2 October 2014 08:14, UK
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has defended underfire Emmanuel Adebayor saying he "believes" in the Togo striker.
Adebayor has come under pressure for only managing to find the net once this season despite starting all six Barclays League games to date.
The striker was particularly ineffective in last weekend's 1-1 derby draw at former club Arsenal, but Pochettino was quick to defend his front man from criticism.
"I believe in Emmanuel Adebayor," he said. "We know always a striker maybe during some periods finds it difficult to score, but he made a lot of effort for the team.
"The more important thing is that we are convinced that he or another team-mate can arrive at the possibility to score, but I am happy with his performance.
"It is true that he knows he needs to score because a striker always lives to score, but I believe in him and have no problem."
Adebayor is likely to drop out of the starting line-up for Thursday's Europa League clash with Besiktas at White Hart Lane with Roberto Soldado in line to come in as his replacement.
Pochettino says he has no problem with rotating his squad as he looks to balance playing in Europe and coping with the domestic games.
"I think we have a strong squad. Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane play in the same place as a striker like Emmanuel Adebayor and have a future in Tottenham," the Argentine added.
"I need to pick some players in different games but we believe in all the players we have."
Danny Rose and Etienne Capoue are doubts for the Group C clash, but the only definite absentee is right-back Kyle Walker.
"At the moment it is impossible to give you the date," Pochettino said when asked when the England full-back would return from abdominal surgery.
"It is a good recovery at the moment. We are happy but it's impossible to predict the time, when he is maybe ready to train with the team and to start to play."
