Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. The majority of footy fans called Antonio Conte crazy when he decided to join the team. This was considered Antonio Conte’s biggest challenge yet. They are viewed as a team of bottlers and choke artists with Harry Kane at the center of it all. In today’s football, trophies are what defines a player’s career in the public eye. Kane has arguably been the best player in the EPL the last couple of years. He established himself as an unstoppable force with his goal scoring and playmaking ability. Despite all of this, Kane and company have not won any trophy and have felt the backlash from fans everywhere. Even some EPL rivals have poked fun at them.
They needed someone to bring a winning attitude to Hotspur way. Who did they feel could handle this monumental task? How about EPL and Seria A coaching legend, Antonio Conte. Conte has had a roller coaster ride of a season with Spurs. However, Tottenham only sits three points behind Arsenal of the top four, with Arsenal having a game in hand (played one less game). After that Everton beatdown, Conte was interviewed and asked about his hopes for the rest of the season. Conte used the press conference to his advantage, giving a challenge to his players. What was Antonio Conte’s challenge? Battle the rest of the season, get a top-four spot and bring Champions League Football back to North London.
Everton Beatdown and Kane’s Recent Resurgence
The best part of Antonio Conte at Spurs has been his transparency. He has never been shy to say what is on his mind and it has shown in his first few months at Spurs. He has told the public to be patient and that his team needs time. Ironically, it seems even Conte has lost patience during this near impossible turnaround.
Antonio Conte says the Club will now have to make an assessment about his future after a defeat to Burnley tonight. pic.twitter.com/z2QLaiEKZX
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 23, 2022
Conte gave his players a message. They were inconsistent and their top-four hopes were slipping away. Then following the Burnley defeat, they absolutely thrashed Leeds giving them a 4-0 defeat. Kane looked like the star we all remember from last season, being a prolific goal scorer and playmaker. Son and Kane even broke the EPL record for most goal combinations ever during that game.
That ball by Harry Kane. ?
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) February 26, 2022
Tottenham now lead 4-0 after a Heung-Min Son goal! #LEETOT #MyPLMorning pic.twitter.com/peBd9PLIRf
When this duo is hot, no EPL defense can contain them. They continue to prove this with their success against Everton on Monday Night Football, winning 5-0.
Antonio Conte’s Challenge
After that game, Conte was very optimistic and proud of his players’ efforts. One quote that caught everyone’s eye was his statement about reaching the top four and how he would consider it, “Our Champions League or Premier League title”. He told his players to take responsibility and have the ambition to reach this lofty goal. Most of the press conference was about the top four and how the players need to shift their focus to the game on Saturday versus Manchester United to keep building on this momentum.
? “Tonight was a good night – but on Saturday it will be a tougher game, we have to show that we are becoming stronger”
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 7, 2022
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is already looking ahead to Spurs’ next match – against Man Utd – following #THFC‘s 5-0 victory over Everton ? pic.twitter.com/jRRh2puuC4
Remembering “El Sackico”
The last time these two faced off it was given the famous, “El Sackicko” name. It was a famous matchup between Nuno and Ole with Ole and Man U coming out on top. Or did they? Is it so crazy to think that the ass-kicking that Man U gave Tottenham was actually the best thing that could have happened to them?
Without that loss, does Kane get back into form? Does Paratici pry the duo of Bentancur and Kulusevski from Juventus to join him in North London? In short, no. I will not go into the exact details but I highlight exactly what the “Conte Effect” is and how it has changed.
Now, I am NOT one for tanking by any means. But… Man U should have taken the L that day and got Conte. Thank you, United, you truly changed the whole atmosphere at Hotspur way with that win.
Tottenham Hotspur and the Daunting Task They Face Saturday
Now going into Saturday’s contest I am not gonna lie, I am absolutely terrified. Not because Man U are a wagon by any means, but because this is the perfect letdown spot for Tottenham. They have been so inconsistent and Conte has been aware of this. Man U just lost a big Manchester Derby 4-1 and need to get momentum back in their favor.
I expect a close game but in my opinion, it all comes down to the outside backs for Spurs. If Matt Doherty and Sergio Reguilón show up to play then I think Tottenham will be able to handle business. However, when I say show up, I mean that those outside backs need to combine for a goal/assist. Either that or they make a major run up the field on a counter-attack that leads to a goal. If they have an impact offensively I love Tottenham’s odds in this one. For a score prediction, I will say Tottenham get a draw at Old Trafford 1-1.
How Will Players Respond to Conte’s Challenge?
Now the joke with Tottenham over the years has been that they are one of, if not the most, mentally weak squad in the “Big 6”. They don’t win trophies and they crack under the pressure. Well lucky for them they have a manager who is known for winning and will not take losing lightly. Conte has instilled fear in his players. If they fail they will be punished.
For example, after the Burnley game when reports came out that he told his players if they do not beat Leeds, they will be forced to stay at Hotspur Way all week until their next game. Many may call this torture. I call it the wake-up call they needed. Now Conte has challenged them to show up the rest of the season and prove to the entire EPL that they deserve to be in the top four and play Champions League Football.
Now, I think that there are a couple of players on this team that I know will respond well to this added pressure. I believe Kane, Son, Lloris, Romero, Dier, Bentancur, and Kulusevski will be ready for this challenge. But are they a good enough core to lift the rest of the players? If the secondary players around this core group can match their intensity, then I believe they will succeed. If they can’t make the top four then they can kiss Conte, and potentially Kane, goodbye.
The Interview Heard Round England
Kane deserves Champions League Football and last year he made it clear while having an interview over a round of golf with Gary Neville.
My issue with this was Kane and the squad were fighting for a European place and this came out right before the end of the season. The best part was Neville was essentially lobbying for Kane to go to Manchester United. Neville constantly talks about how big of a club Manchester United is. In my opinion, them having a rather embarrassing and forgettable season has been fantastic for everyone, except for their fans. I was livid when I saw this interview. It’s all forgiven though, Harry, just bag a couple versus Manchester and continue to bring us up the table. Kane is one of our own Gary! Never forget that. And please, don’t touch things that don’t belong to you.
Tottenham’s Goal Before the International Break
Over the course of eight days, Tottenham plays Manchester United, Brighton, and West Ham. North London rivals Arsenal play Leicester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa. Right now, as I stated above, Tottenham are three points back of Arsenal but the gunners have a game in hand. Let us assume they win for the worst-case scenario and they have a six-point lead.
In my opinion, Tottenham need to gather at least seven points and need Arsenal to get four. If this happens, then Arsenal and Tottenham would be tied at 52 points apiece but Arsenal would still have a game in hand. Arsenal have to come to Tottenham for one more league game and if the Spurs win then they will move ahead of them on the table.
The top four is there for the taking and Conte knows it. He has downplayed it a lot but after listening to the Gold and Guest Podcast, it may be planned. Rob Guest goes into it and he believes that Conte is downplaying it in order to “exceed expectations” if he does get that fourth spot. The full interview is great and I highly recommend tuning in.
This is the most important week in Tottenham’s entire season. Are they going to show up and shut the haters up? Or are they going to do the “Spursy” thing and not take advantage of the opportunity that lies ahead?
There truly is never a dull moment at Hotspur Way. COME ON YOU SPURS!
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