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Tottenham's Kieran Trippier recalls West Brom caretaker Darren Moore screaming at him on Barnsley debut

It’s destined to be another season without silverware for Spurs and so the debate over how to measure success rumbles on.

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Kieran Tripper in action in the FA Cup semi-final.

Mauricio Pochettino has unquestionably improved the side, and fans who watch them week-in, week-out – those who matter – are not as in as much of a rush as the critical commentariat.

It’s a measure of this team that this season they have walloped both Champions League finalists at Wembley.

But after losing to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final, Tottenham have to make sure of their top four finish if they want more magical nights in Europe next season.

On the face of it, they are in the driving seat, five points ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea with three games left. They’re also one point behind third-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

But Spurs have recent history of collapsing at the end of seasons, and recent history of slipping up against Albion too.

In April 2016, Craig Dawson put a goal in each net to put Tottenham’s title ambitions to bed and leave Leicester on course to make history.

And Spurs are not taking this game for granted, least of all right-back Kieran Tripper, who has history with caretaker boss Darren Moore.

“Funnily enough, I made my first team debut next to him when we were at Barnsley,” he explained.

“It was in the Championship, Middlesbrough away early in 2010. I was very young, he was at centre-half and he talked to me, screamed at me at times, but you can only learn from that!

“He’s done well at West Brom – they’re a tough team to beat.

“They work hard as a team and individually and they’ve got good players as well, so it won’t be an easy game at the weekend, but we need to go into it full of confidence after Watford and try to get another three points.”

Moore also remembered that game in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.

"I only shouted at him because it saved me running!" he joked. "He's a great player and he's fulfilling his potential. He could be one on the plane going to Russia (for the World Cup) because he's a quality player."

Trippier returned to the Spurs side on their 2-0 home win over Watford last time out following a knock.

“I always give my best and Monday night was no different,” he added.

“You try to put your body on the line and try to win as a defender. It was tough against Watford – obviously it was a disappointment last week against Manchester United but we saw Chelsea won the other day and we knew we needed to win, so it was a massive three points.

“The win is all that matters at the end of the day, so now we go into West Brom, Newcastle and Leicester and try to win again.”

Midfielder Mousa Demeble and left-back Danny Rose are both doubts for the game but will be most likely replaced by Victor Wanyama and Ben Davies respectively.

Harry Winks continues to be sidelined with a long-term injury.