Antonio Conte, the manager of Tottenham, has called for more funds, more time, and more patience, but has the VAR let Spurs down?
OKBET BALL SPORTS : A few months ago, Antonio Conte was praising “miracles” and rejoicing in his team’s Champions League berth.
The attention has recently shifted to the Tottenham manager, but for all the wrong reasons.
Back-to-back Spurs are now in third position in the Premier League, five points behind the leaders despite having played one extra game.
They are in a tight race for fourth with much-improved Newcastle, who beat Spurs 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
Instead of discussing Newcastle’s controversial first goal in the postgame interview, Conte seemed to be sending a message to Tottenham’s board.
When asked about Tottenham’s third loss in as many Premier League games, Conte told BBC Radio 5 live, “We need time and patience and, also for sure, money.”
We are at the very outset
This past August, Conte suggested that Spurs needed at least two more transfer windows before they could challenge for the Premier League championship.
After Spurs’ loss to Newcastle, the Italian, who was hired in November 2021, echoed his earlier stance that the club “needed time” to enhance the quality of the team.
Injury sidelined many Spurs players, including Brazilian striker Richarlison, Swedish winger Dejan Kulusevski, Argentine defender Cristian Romero, and Danish midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
We are not a team with such a depth of squad to confront tournaments like the Premier League and Champions League, but this is not anything against the club,” Conte said.
“We have guys for whom this was the seventh consecutive game, and we don’t have the resources to rotate them out at the moment, so there are definitely some people who need to rest for two days to recuperate.
“As I have stated previously, we have only just begun the process of putting Tottenham in a position where they can compete for a major trophy.
“This is why it is imperative that we find a way to deal with the current state of affairs. I don’t think it’s going to be straightforward or easy, but we’ll figure it out if we stick together and use our expertise.”
Whether or whether Wilson’s goal should have counted is debatable
The day was terrible for Tottenham as Newcastle seized the lead under controversial circumstances.
After crashing into goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, Callum Wilson scored with a fantastic lob from beyond the area.
After a long VAR review of the foul and handball, the goal was given.
Conte refused to elaborate when questioned about it beyond calling it a “weird circumstance,” but former England goalkeeper Ben Foster remarked on social media that it should have been rejected.
This goal by Callum Wilson “HAS” to be disallowed, tweeted Foster.
If the goalkeeper gets to the ball before the striker does and the striker is in the way, the goalkeeper should be awarded the foul.
Former Republic of Ireland forward Clinton Morrison, though, argues otherwise.
“Wilson just does not budge. If you ask me, that’s not a foul “On BBC Radio 5 Live, he elaborated.
“Even though it’s divisive, I felt the purpose had to be upheld. It would have been easy for Hugo Lloris to merely move Wilson out of the path.”
In addition, former Newcastle and England forward Alan Shearer said, “Lloris had to be stronger, it was never a foul.”
Wilson, a former Bournemouth striker who now works for BBC Sport, said he was within his rights to push Lloris for the ball.
“Sometimes I feel like goalkeepers receive too much special treatment [from officials]. Still, he went for the jugular and dove headfirst into me, and I kept going and went in “Moreover, he said.
Antonio Conte
Not stealing glory from the team.
Since Eddie Howe took over as manager in November 2021, Newcastle has spent almost £200 million on players.
The Magpies’ investment seems to be paying off as they have moved into the top four following their win against Spurs.
Howe noted after the game, “The issue is if you identify with money it takes away credit from the guys.”
“Many of the key figures had already arrived. Give the players the credit they deserve rather than focusing on the team’s composition.
“We still have a ways to go. Very little separates each group.
“Although we are enjoying ourselves at the present time, we will not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s give it our best shot and see what happens. I’m sure the rumor mill will be working overtime, but I won’t let my players feel any further pressure because of it.”
Ex-Tottenham footballer Jamie Redknapp recently told Sky Sports: “Eddie Howe is so deserving of praise. He’s done a fantastic job, despite the fact that everyone seemed to want a famous celebrity to lead the team instead. They have a dedicated following, solid organizational structure, and enough of capital to go them far.”
