Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated that his side were not complacent in their FA Cup tie at Rochdale earlier this month.
On Wednesday night, Wembley Stadium hosts the FA Cup fifth-round replay between the sides after League One outfit Rochdale netted a late equaliser in the initial fixture at Spotland.
Since the start of 2018, Spurs have now failed to win games at teams competing at the third and fourth tiers of English football, but Pochettino has insisted that his players have not been guilty of taking their progress in the FA Cup for granted.
At a press conference, the 45-year-old told reporters: "I don't believe this. Like it was against Newport, always the circumstances are so difficult. Look at Manchester City at Wigan or other Premier League teams that have struggled to compete in difficult circumstances.
"It's so difficult to explain but the reality is that the FA Cup is a very difficult competition because it increases the level of lower opponents and the motivation and sometimes this situation happens."
Pochettino has admitted that he will continue to rotate his squad for the game in North London.
