Cristian Stellini has hinted that Tottenham’s tactical set-up will remain the same despite Antonio Conte’s departure.
Some Spurs fans had understandably lost patience with the team’s ultra-cautious approach under Conte and are hoping that Stellini, Ryan Mason and co will take the handbrake off after the Italian’s departure.
However, the interim Tottenham head coach has now suggested that the priority is to avoid some of the defensive mistakes the team has made recently rather than trying to change the tactical set-up.
When asked about some fans hoping for a more attacking approach, Stellini told Football.London: “We have to follow the process we had because we are in fourth (fifth now) position at the moment.
“We know very well that the other teams have games in hand, but we are where it is important that we are – we can challenge everyone and we know very well that with our team we can beat everyone.
“We just need to play like we did in the past against important teams, and also we know the difference between Tottenham when we win and Tottenham when we did not win.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“It is important to train with this style, be focused on the game and don’t lose the intensity through the whole game, because in the last game [against Southampton] we lost our intensity in the last 10 minutes and that changed the game.
“We know in the Premier League you can never do it. So that must never happen again.”
Stellini remarked that nothing will change with respect to the approach to training and the way the team is set up, with the only difference being that he, rather than Conte, will be making the decisions.
He continued: “I prefer to not change the dynamic. The only change is that I take decisions now.
“I make decisions. I make the decision in the future and they have to respect my decision, all the decisions, and they have to respect all the staff, Ryan and everyone, like when Antonio was in.
“Nothing has to change in the respect because the players respect every time us in every situation.
“They have to continue and I have only to make decisions. This is the difference between the past and I want to do this for the best of Tottenham.”
Stellini was also asked about the toll that losing close friends like Gian Piero Ventrone and his health issues had on Conte and whether it prevented the departed Spurs head coach from giving his all.
The 48-year-old insisted that if anything his compatriot pushed himself too hard despite the issues he was facing.
Stellini said about Conte: “With all the situation he had around him this was absolutely the best because
“I have never seen Antonio not work at his best. Probably that was his best and he forced himself many times to get over the situations around him and that maybe created for him an effort that was too big.
“It could be a reason the decision was taken – although it is not up to me to say. All I can say is that Antonio pushed himself the best for everything at every moment.
“Also, he forced himself to come back after the surgery and it was too early and that was a problem again. It was only because of his passion that he wanted to stay here.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It is wishful thinking on the part of fans to expect Stellini to make big changes to the team’s setup.
However, perhaps the players will be able to express themselves a little better now since they might not have the same fear of failure as they did when Conte was at the helm.
Keep up to date with all the latest Tottenham news and opinion by following SpursWeb’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.
