BOURNEMOUTH -- Mauricio Pochettino has said he is frustrated by Tottenham's failure to build on their win over Manchester City, blaming the three consecutive draws that have followed on the international break.
The dominant 2-0 win over City on Oct. 2 has been followed by a 1-1 draw at West Brom and goalless stalemates at Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth.
Manager Pochettino was without Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane for at Bournemouth and revealed that a number of players, including in-form Son Heung-Min, had returned from international duty with knocks.
Asked whether he felt frustration, he told reporters: "That is true because after the international break we suffered a lot of problems with our players that were involved in the internationals.
"But that is international duty and we need to accept that and try to manage the situation in a better way.
"It's a little bit unlucky. For the last two seasons we were on the top of the [injury] list, but today look at the injuries.
"Danny Rose was injured with the national team and then Toby [Alderweireld] had a knock on the leg, Sonny with the national team. Yes, it is a little bit frustrating and disappointing but sometimes it happens."
The match at West Brom was Tottenham's first in a run of seven games in 23 days, including a Champions League double-header against Leverkusen, but Pochettino said: "None of the injuries were related to the Champions League or because we play too much or [a lack of] rest and recovery.
"We played against teams like West Bromwich and Bournemouth that are very intense, physical, aggressive teams and when you play Champions League always the impact, physically and mentally, is massive.
"When you repeat or play every three days and some players repeat and play it's always difficult.
"For that you need the depth of squad and all players really ready to play, but we are happy."