What did you make of the performance?
About the performance, I’m not disappointed because the performance was a good performance. From the start to the end, I have seen the right commitment the right intensity, the right desire to get three points, to win duels, to press high, to run.
If you ask me, football is a bit strange because in the first half we dominated the game but despite this we didn’t create chances to score, because we found a team that defended really deep with 11 players. In the second half, we started the same way but then it happened that we conceded another goal. In this period, we are not so lucky for the goals we are conceding.
I think this goal has changed the situation, has changed the feeling of the players, the confidence of the players, because they didn’t deserve to be one nil down after a big effort, for the whole first half. Then in other circumstances (other games), we were good to come back. Today, we didn’t do this. Then the atmosphere becomes warm because you are one nil down and the expectation is to score goals and to win. Then you can pay something emotionally.
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Are you short of attackers?
The situation is clear and I think you can see our situation from the start of the season. We have up front we had Bryan Gil who played a good game but he’s a young player, and you need to give young players time to become stronger physically.
I’m pleased from what I’ve seen from him today in the game. Then there is Kane, Son, Richarlison and Kulusevski. When it happened that two of these (are injured), and this season it happened a few times, with Richarlison and Kulusevski, you are in trouble.
Also Sonny has to continue to improve and it becomes difficult this situation. Because if you ask me about the central defenders, they played a good game, the two midfielders played a good game, the wing-backs played a good game. And then we struggled a bit up front because we found a team defending really deep. If you have a solution on the bench to change the game, it’s easier because you change the cards during the game.
Did that 'warm environment' prove a problem for the players?
Yeah but I understand. At the same time I think that the players can feel a warm atmosphere. For sure, I was player and I understand when the atmosphere become warm and impatient know? At the same time we have to be good to improve in every aspect because good players live with every atmosphere positive or negative and then we face in the best possible way. But I repeat I wasn't angry with the players because I think we gave everything today. All the players.
Will a top four finish be difficult?
(Laugh) But for the financial of the club, I continue to repeat that last season we made a miracle, I continue to repeat. It happen why? Because we played only one competition and we play with 12 to 13 players and they didn't have injuries in the last 15 games and we played with best players every game because, I repeat, we played only the league. Don't forget three games to go Arsenal were four points than us and that we finished 20 points less from Manchester City and we did a miracle, but I knew which was the situation.
Then I was very clear with the club because in this moment and before to become a title contender, because I remember very well in the summer, at the start, people talked about Tottenham as title contenders but in my experience it was a bit crazy to read this. To become a title contender, to become a team ready to fight to win something you need to have a solid foundation. That means to have 14 or 15 strong players, quality and the other young players to develop.
And [then] every season you can add two players but two players to invest £50m, £60m, £70m and in this way it means you are signing important players that improve quality and the level of your team but this is a process guys. It's a process.
People think you arrive and you win. This can happen for a team that are used to winning in the past. But if you are not used to it it means you have to create this situation and for this reason you need time and patience. I understand that the fans are disappointed because they can say 'but we've been patient for a long time', I understand it but the situation is this. If you want the truth I can tell you the truth.
Do you feel the Tottenham supporters are unrealistic in their expectations for this season?
I am not to think about the expectations. I know what is the reality because I am the coach. I live the club every day. I know what is the situation. I know the vision of the club. The club knows very well what are my thoughts on the situation. The situation was very clear.
I continue to work and to improve and to help you to improve the club, to create a solid foundation and then to develop. At the start of the season I was very, very clear with the club. I said 'ok we can be competitive to win but try to continue to improve but in the way that we can do it', because also you have to know that there are clubs who can invest £200m or £300m and others with different policies and I repeat you have to respect the policy. The policy has to be very clear with all people otherwise we created a situation that’s not positive for the environment to create expectations that are not realistic, honestly.
I repeat this from the start of the season. I knew very well. I was expecting this moment. Now we have to start to fight strong, because the situation in this league you can slip quickly. I spoke also with my players. You have to pay attention to fight because to from start to the end the road is not long. You can slip quickly if you are not prepared and not humble to understand the situation very well.
If you ask me if I'm scared, I'm not scared. I believe in my work, I believe in these players, but don’t ask me for things I cannot promise you. This is only to create an illusion and create dreams a moment that you have to be realistic. If you are realistic, you know the situation and you face the moment in the right way.
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