Danny Rose claims Tottenham’s players are being made to suffer by Mauricio Pochettino but he is loving life under the manager.

The full-back believes he is personally benefiting from a gruelling training regime designed to turn him into one of the best defenders in the country.

Rose has been an ever present under Pochettino since the Argentine became the new Spurs boss after being criticised by fans last season. He recently signed a five-year contract and believes his hard work is finally paying off.

“Mauricio Pochettino has been brilliant for me, I have nothing but nice things to say about him,” said Rose. “I met the manager before pre-season and he said if I trusted him he would make me a far better player and get me into the England squad.

“But I’ve had to work hard to get there. I remember an interview he did when he first took over saying players have to suffer in training to enjoy games. Seriously, he wasn’t joking either. We do have to work hard in training and I do suffer but it’s an enjoyable kind of suffering because I’m benefitting so much. I’m far more tactically aware and more consistent.”

When Rose was handed a new contract, he admits he got an unexpected call from chairman Daniel Levy prior to signing.

“He wanted to know that I was committed and ready to fight for the club and fight for the cause before I signed it,” said Rose.

“I like to think people can see how committed I am and how determined I am to be a success. It has not been easy. There were doubts and going into this season I did wonder whether I would be playing.

“But I’m not complacent and I’m always striving to improve. I can’t take anything for granted, I know I’m only one bad game from losing my place with strong competition here.”

After a good start to the season, Tottenham came back to earth with a bump with a 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool. But Rose believes that loss has strengthened the club’s desire to improve.

“The result was quite a shock to the system,” he said. “We didn’t play particularly well and didn’t deserve to get anything out of the game. It was a set-back but we looked to learn from it and move on.”

Spurs face a City side tomorrow who scored 11 goals against them last season. They conceded a goal after just 14 seconds scored by Jesus Navas in the corresponding fixture back in November but Rose insists those two meetings have been consigned to history.

“You can’t dwell on the past,” he added. “Letting in 11 goals in two games isn’t nice but if it effects your mindset it’s going to have an adverse effect. There aren’t any nerves going into the game. There is no apprehension and the manager doesn’t want us to dwell on the past, it’s a fresh start.

“Besides, City aren’t firing on all cylinders as yet and it’s a great opportunity for us.

How Tottenham’s summer signings have fared so far 6 show all How Tottenham’s summer signings have fared so far 1/6 Ben Davies: C Needs time to find his feet but has looked shaky when he has played, particularly in the recent Europa League tie against Besiktas. At 21, he has plenty of time to improve and looks promising as an attacking threat, although some of his positioning in defence leaves a little to be desired. As a defender under Mauricio Pochettino, there is little margin for error. GETTY 2/6 Michel Vorm: C On the face of it, a strange signing. Vorm is a Dutch international goalkeeper yet he has played only once this season. So why join? Here is the most plausible reason: Vorm has been told that there is a good chance Hugo Lloris will leave Spurs next summer, allowing him to take the No1 spot. If that is not the case, it is a bizarre career move for the 30-year-old. Getty 3/6 Eric Dier: B Has settled in well. Endeared himself to the Spurs fans immediately with a last-minute goal on his debut to secure a 1-0 victory at West Ham on the opening day of the season. Has occasionally looked uncertain but his strength, determination and ability to play both in central defence and at right-back make him a good addition to the squad. Will get better, too. Getty 4/6 DeAndre Yedlin: N/A If the United States international can get hold of a Latvian passport (he has family links to the Baltic state) and become a European Union player, there is a good chance he will join ahead of schedule. With Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton injured, Yedlin would be a welcome signing. Must be given time to adapt but has the potential to become a Dani Alves-style attacking right-back. Getty 5/6 Federico Fazio: C Tall, strong, rugged and good in the air, but also looks a little slow and you wonder how he might fare against quick, nimble attackers. He also has work to do to break up the first-choice central defensive partnership of Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen and force his way into the starting XI. A season of adaptation is expected for Fazio. 6/6 Benji Stambouli: B Looks a very interesting player. A busy central midfielder with good positional sense, an eye for a pass and strength in the tackle. At present, Stambouli is having to make do with appearances in the cup competitions but he has made an impressive start and if he maintains this early form, the Frenchman will surely be a Premier League regular sooner rather than later. Getty 1/6 Ben Davies: C Needs time to find his feet but has looked shaky when he has played, particularly in the recent Europa League tie against Besiktas. At 21, he has plenty of time to improve and looks promising as an attacking threat, although some of his positioning in defence leaves a little to be desired. As a defender under Mauricio Pochettino, there is little margin for error. GETTY 2/6 Michel Vorm: C On the face of it, a strange signing. Vorm is a Dutch international goalkeeper yet he has played only once this season. So why join? Here is the most plausible reason: Vorm has been told that there is a good chance Hugo Lloris will leave Spurs next summer, allowing him to take the No1 spot. If that is not the case, it is a bizarre career move for the 30-year-old. Getty 3/6 Eric Dier: B Has settled in well. Endeared himself to the Spurs fans immediately with a last-minute goal on his debut to secure a 1-0 victory at West Ham on the opening day of the season. Has occasionally looked uncertain but his strength, determination and ability to play both in central defence and at right-back make him a good addition to the squad. Will get better, too. Getty 4/6 DeAndre Yedlin: N/A If the United States international can get hold of a Latvian passport (he has family links to the Baltic state) and become a European Union player, there is a good chance he will join ahead of schedule. With Kyle Walker and Kyle Naughton injured, Yedlin would be a welcome signing. Must be given time to adapt but has the potential to become a Dani Alves-style attacking right-back. Getty 5/6 Federico Fazio: C Tall, strong, rugged and good in the air, but also looks a little slow and you wonder how he might fare against quick, nimble attackers. He also has work to do to break up the first-choice central defensive partnership of Younes Kaboul and Jan Vertonghen and force his way into the starting XI. A season of adaptation is expected for Fazio. 6/6 Benji Stambouli: B Looks a very interesting player. A busy central midfielder with good positional sense, an eye for a pass and strength in the tackle. At present, Stambouli is having to make do with appearances in the cup competitions but he has made an impressive start and if he maintains this early form, the Frenchman will surely be a Premier League regular sooner rather than later. Getty

“The manager ingrains into us that we should approach every game wanting to win. Of course, it’s going to be tough. They scored more than 100 goals last season but if we can defend well and then hit them on the counter-attack, it could be a good day for us.”

For the moment, Rose has put thoughts of playing for England on the back burner after being omitted from Roy Hodgson’s squad for the Euro qualifiers against San Marino and Estonia.

Rose said: “Competition, particularly for my place, is fierce and I’m probably fourth or fifth in line.

“I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t disappointed to miss out last time but I have my work cut out playing for Tottenham.

“I’m a big England fan regardless whether I’m involved or not. If I continue to play well and play consistently my time will come again.”