Gary Neville has dismissed suggestions that sections of Tottenham Hotspur supporters are ‘Antonio Conte out’ after a recent run of poor results and performances, as he told The Overlap.
The former England defender just thinks there are ‘groans’ from the Spurs faithful and that was the case on Sunday when they were beaten by Liverpool on home soil.
It’s not just the fact that Conte’s side are dropping points, it’s how it’s happening and the predictable nature of it all.
Once again, they didn’t turn up in the first half, and then started to motor in the second, but by then, especially against Liverpool, it was too late, because Jurgen Klopp’s men had the points in the bag.
Neville spoke about Spurs fans’ reaction to their team’s display over the weekend, especially at half-time and Conte’s style as a manager.
“Groans (at half-time by Spurs fans),” said Neville. “I was battered on and off screen for my stance on Antonio Conte that he shouldn’t come to Manchester United when he was an available manager because I knew this situation would arise that we are talking about now (style of play).
“I know he’s a brilliant manager. But this conversation always comes with a Benitez, Mourinho and a Conte now. Fans, fortunately, have had enough of what would be football I used to play at times. We used to sit back and play counter-attacks. That’s not acceptable anymore. The best managers don’t accept it anymore at the very top.
“The Tottenham fans groans and the feeling around the stadium – Tottenham are doing okay, by the way, they are in the right position in the league where they should be.
On suggestions that Spurs fans are ‘Conte out’: “No, no, I don’t think that’s (the case). There are just a few groans in there.”
JANUARY ADDITIONS NEEDED
There is a clear lack of trust from Conte with what he has at his disposal at Hotspur Way, well, outside of a certain group of players.
Against Liverpool, with Son Heung-min out of action, Richarlison still returning from injury and Dejan Kulusevski only fit enough for the bench, Harry Kane was the only out-and-out attacking player picked to start.
This is despite Bryan Gil and Lucas Moura sitting on the bench, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he demands fresh faces in that department during the winter transfer window, as well as another centre-back.
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