Tim Sherwood has suggested that Antonio Conte ‘doesn’t allow’ the media to ask him ‘why Tottenham start so slow’ after their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions (06/11/22 at 7:15 pm).
From the hostile welcome in Marseille to the beaches of the South Coast in Bournemouth, wherever Tottenham are, they always seem to be chasing the game.
Against the Cherries a number of weeks ago, after going 2-0 down, they were capable of staging a comeback and securing all three points because Conte’s players are far superior to what Gary O’Neil has at his disposal.
Against Marseille in the Champions League, how Spurs weren’t down and out before Clement Lenglet equalised, or even during the last ten minutes of the game, is something the French club will still be kicking themselves about.
But they showcased grit, mental strength and fight to book their place in the knockout stages during such difficult circumstances.
They weren’t able to do that against Liverpool yesterday, who were leading 2-0 at the break, and despite Harry Kane pulling a goal back, it was another defeat against the so-called better sides for Conte.
Former Tottenham boss Sherwood thinks Conte’s slow start is down to the manager setting his team up in a ‘negative fashion’ and it’s nothing to do with the player’s unable to take on instructions.
“They made a good effort to try and get it back, but it’s Liverpool, they dug in and showed their qualities today in how they could defend their goal,” said Sherwood.
“I am disappointed in the way they start. I am not sure, we never really asked the question to him, perhaps he doesn’t allow us to ask the question of ‘why do they start so slow?’ ‘Why are they giving teams headstarts?’.
“It’s two things. He’s either setting them up in a negative fashion to play very pragmatic from the start, that’s my view.
“Otherwise, which I don’t think he will tolerate, the players aren’t listening to him. It’s one or the other. If he’s telling them, and they don’t do it, then you are telling them again. Surely they can’t repeat it time and time again.”
STYLE OR TROPHIES?
It has been a while since Tottenham were able to put a trophy into their cabinet and a lot longer since they secured trophies.
The north London club have a rich history of playing the pretty stuff, and if it means taking a bit of that out in order to win silverware, then that’s something fans would accept.
Perhaps where it becomes a problem is when the team starts losing, slipping down the table and showing signs that they might not end their trophy-drought.
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