The back-to-back losses will give Spurs' detractors, who say they have to back up their improvement under Pochettino with silverware, more ammunition, but the Argentinian is not losing focus on Spurs' main aims.

They are in a good position to qualify for the Champions League again, a competition they still remain in, with a last-16 tie coming up against Borussia Dortmund.

"It's true, this season has been tough," he said. "I told you it would be a massive challenge for us, but we believe it'll be a tough season but no tougher than it's been.

"Of course, disappointed because, after Thursday and today again, out of two competitions. You feel disappointed. You can't feel anything different.

"But now we have to be positive. We are still in two competitions, in a good position in the Premier League and the Champions League is a massive motivation for the whole club. We have to be strong.

"People wish we could win some trophies. But being realistic, we are doing so well. To win a title here in England like the FA Cup or Carabao Cup is about being lucky, not only about quality in your squad.

"To arrive here in different condition, so you can fight or be stronger... Of course, it's tougher to compete and win when things happened as they did.

"Sometimes when you assess football, you only look at which team won and which team lost, but you have to consider all the circumstances.

"Now the realistic targets are trying to be in the top four, try and be close to Manchester City and Liverpool and reduce the gap.

"To be a contender is always difficult for us. (Top four) is realistic.

"Another is to try and beat Dortmund and be in the next round. That is tough."

Given their quick turnaround from Thursday night, Pochettino made seven changes, which included Christian Eriksen not even featuring on the bench.

But the Spurs boss sticks by his selection.

"Regrets? No, no," he said. "We played with our best team that we can play at the moment. I think it was a moment, of course, for different players to play. To help the team.

"I think we came from a very crazy fixture and were forced to take some decisions, rest some players and rotate.

"But we are going to play Wednesday too and Saturday."

Palace boss Roy Hodgson was delight to see Wickham score his first goal for 799 days.

The former Sunderland striker has endured an injury-ravaged time over the last few seasons but put Palace ahead from close range in the first half.

Hodgson said: "Two years and three months... incredible, isn't it. It's a credit to him.

"For Connor, to play and crown it with a goal, that's good news.

"We can leave Selhurst Park with a smile on our faces and see what awaits us in the fifth round.

"I believe and hope he can make a contribution, but that would be putting an awful lot of pressure on him.

"He's worked hard to get to where he is. I rested Jordan (Ayew) so he could play, and he took the opportunity.

"I'm very pleased with that. It's two and a quarter years, though... playing for 70-75 minutes and getting a goal, it can't get much better than that.

"But for him to be considered back now to his prime, that's asking too much. He's training. That's why he can start."

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