Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte threatened his players with not being allowed home if they were unable to win last weekend in the Premier League.
It has been a turbulent number of weeks for the north London club on the pitch, and the Italian’s frustrations have been evident in some of his press conferences.
Can Conte get Spurs top four this season?
Yes
No
And following their disappointing defeat against Burnley, Alasdair Gold claims Conte threatened his players that they’d be forced to remain at the club’s facilities from Saturday until their midweek FA Cup game against Middlesbrough if they failed to win against Leeds United.
Spurs ran out as emphatic winners at Elland Road so the threat did not materialise, however, the 52-year-old was left to watch his side fall in the FA Cup against the Championship outfit.
Speaking on the Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham podcast, Gold revealed the details from the dressing room after the defeat at Turf Moor last week.
He said: “I understand it that after that game [Burnley] he threatened the players essentially with, if they don’t beat Leeds, they’re all going to spend the time in between the Leeds and Middlesbrough match staying over at The Lodge at Hotspur Way.
“If you think about it, it’s being away from your family. It’s the same as you or I, really, having to sleep over at our work every single night and then having to start the next morning.
“I’m sure it’s very nice, but it is you going to work, staying there, not seeing your children, not seeing your wife or whatever, your partner, and going straight into work.”
TIF Thoughts on Conte’s threat…
The threat certainly seemed to work for their game at the weekend, as Spurs put on a show for their travelling fans, finding themselves 3-0 up inside the opening 27 minutes.
Perhaps the Italian should consider making his threat a punishment for when the side put in a performance as they did on Tuesday night on Teesside, as they were beaten by the better side in Chris Wilder’s Boro.
Spurs now have a six-day gap between the FA Cup defeat and their game against Everton, where three points feels like the only option to help them land a spot in the top four.
In other news: ‘I’m told’ – Fabrizio Romano reveals Conte demand at Spurs after secret Levy meeting
We have absolutely no chance of top 4 this season. Hopefully though, if we bring in about 9 new players and offload the dead wood, there will be a chance next season.
Yes I know, I Know, but one can dream.. right?