Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur Christmas To-Do List

Halloween and its never-to-be-worn-again costumes are done with, and Guy Fawkes-inspired bonfires and fireworks have long since extinguished. The imported commercial bore that is Black Friday is just about lingering on through related sales, but it is now mostly over with, too.

There is no escaping it: Christmas is on the way. Nowhere is that more true than in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur are banking on the period heading into the new year being a bountiful one again. In recent years, they have used the fixture-intensive stretch to good effect, establishing themselves in contention at the upper end of the table.

By the time of the FA Cup third-round weekend in January, Tottenham will have played seven matches, as well as their last Champions League group-stage fixture against CSKA Moscow. Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be hard at work to ensure they gain maximum return.

As we head into December, we take a look at just what the Argentinian's Christmas to-do list may look like. It will not look like most peoples', but there are some things it is hard for anyone to escape from this time of year.  

Check off Swansea City

Some of you may start your Christmas preparations a lot closer to December 25. For many, they begin as soon as December 1.

The changing of the calendar page is a welcome marker for Pochettino and his Tottenham side. After a mixed November—a decent point at Arsenal and a win over West Ham United were countered by defeat to Chelsea and Champions League elimination—it is a chance for them to get firmly back on the winning track.

Spurs begin the month with a visit from Swansea City on December 3, with Pochettino testing himself against their American coach Bob Bradley for the first time.

The Swans have struggled so far this season and sit second from the bottom. They, too, will be hoping for an improvement in fortunes after a messy but thrilling 5-4 win over Crystal Palace last time out.

The day of the game coincides with the local Tottenham Winter Festival, as promoted by Harry Kane and Josh Onomah in the above video. Organisers will be hoping the mood is further livened by victory for the local football club.

Time to Reflect and New Year's Resolution Material

Prior to Tottenham's loss to Chelsea, the possibility they may not play any subsequent European games at temporary venue Wembley Stadium this season was brought up.

Pochettino was not having any of it: "It's a good opportunity to play the next game on Wembley and then to play, if we have the possibility to play the Europa League, to play at Wembley because next season we need to play 19 games and cups and European competition. I think we need to make Wembley our home, and that is a great opportunity to play."

UEFA requirements meant they could not play Champions League games at White Hart Lane because of ongoing stadium-redevelopment work.

Even if Spurs beat CSKA Moscow in their final group match on December 7, they will drop into the Europa League. But rather than trying to work out a return home proper, Pochettino is understandably keen to use it as preparation for the scheduled full season at the national stadium.

Whether it is until European competition resumes in February or the start of the 2017-18 campaign next August, he and Spurs will be packing up at Wembley for the time being.

Given that it is just temporary accommodation, this is no big undertaking. But as is suitable for the end of the year, their last game at the ground offers a good opportunity for reflection.

What went wrong in their two fixtures at Wembley, in defeats to Monaco and Bayer Leverkusen (highlights above)? What can they do to get better next time?

If nothing else, Pochettino may get a good New Year resolution out of it.

Awkward Christmas Reunions—Part 1: Jose Mourinho

Tottenham's biggest match of the Christmas period is their trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on December 11.

Both are on the outside looking in at the Premier League's top four. A win for either will be important in keeping up with those ahead.

Earlier this season, Pochettino talked about his distaste for a specific element of English managerial culture: sharing a glass of wine with the opposite number.

"In front of the TV it's 'look at me, I'm very brave, fighting with everyone'," he said, per the Mirror's Dave Kidd. "Then inside it's like, 'I'm very sorry for my behaviour, all the best, cheers, let's have a glass of wine'. That's very fake."

Pochettino may make an exception for Man United boss Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese is having a tough time of it, not just in his current job, but dating back to last season with Chelsea—arguably even further given how bitter his end at Real Madrid was.

Since it's the season for goodwill to all men, perhaps Pochettino will make an exception to his wine rule and try to spread a little cheer to Mourinho?

A win for either will probably scupper those plans. A diplomatic draw is probably the only route to a Christmas truce.

Distractions for the Players

"Yes, I think when you are in a professional environment always you try to advise, never to ban. You need to advise because they are men, they are not children."

Pochettino was responding to a question in the aftermath of the English tabloids' hysterical reaction to Wayne Rooney partaking in a few drinks after England’s win over Scotland.

Guidelines for his Tottenham players are minimal. He trusts them to be mature and act in a professionally appropriate manner.

Still, this is the notorious Christmas-party season. Give a young footballer an inch, and he may take a mile.

Perhaps Pochettino has landed upon the best way to keep them out of trouble without swapping his relatable appeal for disciplinarian status.

Just take up their time with club-related activities, chiefly the frequent, light-hearted, social media-friendly videos that, like most of their rivals, Tottenham produce.

Two Christmases ago, it was Ryan Mason and Andros Townsend taking part in a "Yuletide Trolley Dash" in the Spurs shop. Last year, it was a Mario Kart tournament and Dele Alli and Eric Dier competing in the "A Question of Spurs" quiz competition with ex-players Ossie Ardiles and Ledley King (see above).

OK, he probably does not even know these things take place. But if he does, Pochettino may have a word with the media department to try to keep a few more of his team occupied in non-training hours this year.

One Last Christmas at White Hart Lane

This will be Tottenham's last Christmas spent at the current White Hart Lane.

They host Hull City in a midweek game on December 14, before Burnley visit north London on the Sunday before Christmas.

A repeat of the 2-1 win over Sean Dyche's side in Pochettino’s first Christmas at the club two seasons ago would be ideal. There is nothing like winning in this period to lift the spirit of supporters, especially those otherwise lacking some festive joy.

Awkward Christmas Reunions—Part 2: Southampton

Tottenham do not have a Boxing Day game this year. Television scheduling and Christmas Day falling on a Sunday has led to them facing Southampton on December 28 instead.

Pochettino would probably have preferred to face less hostile opposition than his old club.

His family will have, too. If Spurs lose at St Mary’s, he will be in a rotten mood.

Still, for him, his staff and players, the schedule should at least allow a little more freedom to enjoy themselves on the December 25 knowing they do not have a game the next day.

Avoiding New Year's Eve Distractions

Tottenham are one of only four Premier League clubs not playing on New Year's Eve Saturday.

Instead, they and opponents Watford, as well as Arsenal and Crystal Palace, are all playing on January 1.

With a 1:30 p.m. kick-off, it will mean an early night for all involved. No drinking, no fireworks, nothing.

Still, if Spurs win at Vicarage Road, what better way to start the year than with three points?

Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot...

New Year's Day mostly brings to a close Christmas festivities in England, but football’s acknowledgement of it as a unique time in the season continues a little longer.

For Tottenham, that means their Premier League schedule concluding with a potentially huge game on January 4 against what they will still hope to be one of their title rivals, Chelsea. The division's current table-toppers beat them 2-1 just this past weekend.

By then, we will have a true idea of how Spurs' 2016-17 is shaping up. They will hope their Christmas period has not left them desperate for the points.

Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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