Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has called on his side to deliver a professional performance against Cardiff City.

Spurs have dropped off the pace in the top flight, having suffered defeats to Watford and Liverpool, but victory over the Bluebirds would keep the North London outfit in contention with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Pochettino has admitted that his players can put the club in a positive situation, but added that no-one can afford to overlook the bottom-placed side ahead of the game at Wembley Stadium.

At a press conference, the Argentine told reporters: "It would be fantastic for us but we need to, before to see the end of the race we need to be involved in the race and perform and deserve to win.

"Sometimes it's like we translate ourselves to the future. Ok, 5pm Saturday three points and I think if you think like this it's a massive mistake.

"You need to see yourself playing well and scoring goals and that is the best way to prepare for the game and thinking it will be tough if we're not ready to compete from the first moment to the end sure it will be a difficult game."

Spurs head into the game having suffered a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League.