Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Tottenham Hotspur

sportsmole.co.uk, 29 September 2021, 14:32
Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo is unfazed by recent criticism and only concentrating on recovering from his side's current slump.

Things have changed quickly for the Portuguese as after winning his first three Premier League games in charge and being named August's manager of the month, three successive defeats have now seen him coming under early pressure.

The manner of performances in 3-0 losses to Crystal Palace and Chelsea were concerning, but the way they sank to a dismal 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday has had the alarm bells ringing.

"I'm not worried about the judgements," Nuno said ahead of Thursday night's Europa Conference League tie with FC Mura of Slovenia.

"What I'm worried about is how we can play better. How can we play better? The judgement, and the criticism, and the opinion and all of that is all part of it.

"And we have to deal with that, we have to deal with that. That doesn't interfere with the way we work, it can only distract us.

"I'm very simple, telling you my focus is how can we improve, how can we improve.

"The criticism is normal. You've been in football, I've been in football, everybody that is on screen knows how this industry works.

"When you don't play good, and you don't perform, and the results don't go along, criticism is something that you have to deal with. So we understand it, it's up to us to react and to change it."

Tottenham initially overlooked Nuno in their search for Jose Mourinho's successor due to his style of play, which is at odds with chairman Daniel Levy's pursuit of the 'Tottenham DNA' - something he defined as "free-flowing, attacking and entertaining" football.

Nuno's side have definitely not delivered on that front so far as they have had less shots than any other Premier League side, created less chances from open play and covered less distance.

The former Wolves boss insists he is aware of what is expected.

"I have been told. And everybody knows. It's football," he said.

"Everybody wants to play good, everybody wants to play offensive, everybody wants to score. This is what we chase.

"Sometimes it's not possible but we're aware that this is what we want to do. But it takes a building process to achieve it. And we're trying."

The first-half performance against the Gunners was arguably the worst in recent north London derby history as the hosts strolled into a 3-0 lead.

Nuno accepted he got his tactics incorrect and also selected the wrong players, but is confident his squad have belief in his philosophy as a coach.

"Yeah, totally believe. There's no doubts about that because we work together every day, we prepare together and these moments we need to stick together," he said.

"And the belief is the first step to do things and we have it. You have to realise sometimes it's not possible.

"Sometimes opponents is better than you and you have to be humble to give credit and sometimes you don't perform. Sometimes the plan is no good. The belief in all of us is here.

"We don't panic. We don't panic because we know or at least I know that this is football. This is football. It's how you react to the bad moments, because it's something that you cannot avoid.

"If you go through history, unfortunately every team goes through a moment like this.

"The sooner we get out of it, the better. Hopefully tomorrow we get out of it. To win we have to play better, we have to compete better and sticking together is the only way through it."

Top News

21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Chelsea reportedly face stern competition from another Premier League club in the race for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England manager Gareth Southgate has announced an extended 33-man training squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of Liverpool's star players has dropped a major hint to suggest that he could stay at Anfield for another season following the appointment of Arne Slot as the club's new head coach. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Andre Onana has acknowledged that Manchester United have endured a "bad season" under Erik ten Hag, but he hopes the Dutchman will be given a chance to turn the club's fortunes around. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has announced that he will retire from football after representing Germany at Euro 2024 this summer. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal have seemingly been handed a boost in their efforts to add a new striker to their ranks this summer. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa are reportedly contemplating making an approach for a Barcelona defender during the summer transfer window. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England boss Gareth Southgate has reportedly decided to show faith in an injury-hit Manchester United player ahead of Euro 2024. 21 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The season is over and while the transfer window doesn't technically open until June 14, clubs across the UK and Europe are free to get deals in place ahead of next season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Borussia Dortmund have reportedly made Chelsea loanee Ian Maatsen as a priority target for the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk England captain Harry Kane is reportedly expected to prove his fitness in time for Euro 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final spot in the last 16 of the Copa do Brasil will be determined on Thursday when Ceara host CRB in the second leg of that tie at Arena Castelao. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has reportedly been ruled out of the Champions League final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Flamengo return to action in the Copa do Brasil when they go head to head with Amazonas in the second leg of their third-round clash on Wednesday. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Argentina have omitted Roma attacker Paulo Dybala from their provisional squad for Copa America 2024. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has named a 24-man travelling squad for Wednesday's post-season friendly against Newcastle United at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric headlines Croatia's preliminary squad for Euro 2024, with the 38-year-old set to represent his country at a major international tournament for the final time. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a first major trophy since 1963, Atalanta BC will try to conquer 'invincible' German champions Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's Europa League final, which takes place in Dublin. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich and Al-Nassr have reportedly expressed an interest in signing an out-of-favour Tottenham Hotspur defender this summer. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk An exhilarating and captivating 2023-24 Premier League campaign has come to a close and Manchester City have been crowned champions for an unprecedented fourth season in a row, finishing two points clear of their nearest challengers Arsenal in second place. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still undefeated this season, Bayer Leverkusen can complete the second leg of a memorable treble by emerging victorious in Dublin this week, as they take on Atalanta BC for the right to be crowned Europa League champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly reached a decision over an asking price for defender Trevoh Chalobah. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The manager of a top-half Ligue 1 club has confirmed that he would be interested in working with a departing Manchester United centre-back next season. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A talented youthful striker apparently wanted by Arsenal is now believed to be the subject of interest from the Saudi Pro League. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have confirmed the appointment of Feyenoord manager Arne Slot as their new head coach to replace Jurgen Klopp. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following 51 games without defeat, Bayer Leverkusen put their unbeaten record on the line in Wednesday's Europa League final, when Atalanta BC attempt to finally halt the German champions. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe may reportedly not be involved in the Coupe de France final. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly set an asking price for one of their more experienced players ahead of the summer transfer window. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are reportedly yet to make a decision over the future of head coach Nuno Espirito Santo. 20 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has expressed his pride after winning a second successive Premier League Golden Boot.