Antonio Conte has criticized his Tottenham players following their 3-3 draw against relegation-threatened Southampton, accusing them of having a losing mentality.
Tottenham led 3-1 with 16 minutes remaining, but ended up losing points as their inconsistent form continued.
Conte called on his players to take some responsibility after they missed out on a chance to rise to third in the Premier League.
Pedro Porro put Tottenham ahead just before half time, with Che Adams leveling for Southampton early in the second half. Goals from Harry Kane and Ivan Perisic gave Tottenham control, but Southampton responded again to pick up a point when Theo Walcott scored before James Ward-Prow converted a late penalty.
Conte’s side have experienced plenty of frustration this month, being knocked out of the FA Cup by Sheffield United before being knocked out of the Champions League by AC Milan.
Antonio Conte was very frustrated with his team after the draw with Southampton
Tottenham led 3-1 with 16 minutes remaining but ended up drawing 3-3
The Tottenham manager was very frustrated that his team squandered an advantage.
Speaking to Match of the Day, Conte said: “I’m really upset because this is not the first time and I think today I can tell you that this is a surprise because we are leading 3-1 and with 15 minutes to go and I think you have to win. Instead, we showed this another time, things started to improve last season, but we lost the characteristic of last season. I don’t want to talk about the technical side, the spirit is missing.
‘We are not a team. We are a team in which each one thinks of himself. When you are like this it can happen, you lose against Sheffield United and the FA Cup falls and against AC Milan and to end that streak you win 3-1 and the round of 16 you can give them the chance to come back. I do not see the sense of responsibility of the players.
Conte described Tottenham’s collapse against Southampton as “unacceptable” and stated that his team is “going backwards”.
‘Right now it is difficult, we are working hard with this group and moving in the right direction. Let’s go back, I see many negative situations and many selfish situations and players that I don’t like. I know the way to beat teams, I’ve beaten a lot of teams in the past, winning teams.
‘Now instead we go back, nobody is interested in this. I am very frustrated about this because the staff and I stay every day to think of a way to improve. Honestly, it’s time for me to take responsibility for myself, for the staff, for the club, but also for the players.
Conte accused his Tottenham players of being selfish and having a loser mentality
Uncertainty remains over Conte’s long-term future, with Daniel Levy watching
‘The players go out onto the field, I am the coach. Okay, I take responsibility, the players have to take it. What happened in recent times is unacceptable and I tried at all times to speak to try to improve the situation and convey the importance of being a team and helping each other, but I don’t see it. Today it happened in a game that we are winning 3-1, it is in your hands but we have to take the atmosphere. The club and I are always under the microscope, but the players have to take responsibility because I don’t see this.
‘In a process in which you want to build something, the tactical aspect is important but the spirit is important. The mind has to stay focused and despite a year and a half, I saw a lot more last season. This season we are going backwards.
Tottenham defender Eric Dier claimed his team alone is to blame.
Defender Eric Dier said Tottenham is only to blame for the way they capitulated.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Dier said: ‘Careless mistakes. We lost possession easily, we weren’t in control of the game at 3-1 when we should have been. Really poor goals.
‘We shouldn’t let them back in the game. They lost their two centrals and we should cause them a lot more trouble.
‘We only have ourselves to blame.
‘There will be a lot of ups and downs for everyone fighting for the top four and relegation. It will definitely come down to the last two weeks of the season. We have to find some consistency.
Last week Conte, whose future at the club remains uncertain beyond this season, criticized Tottenham supporters, saying they lack patience.
Conte said: ‘We are far from aspiring to be competitive to fight to win. The reality is this, we need time and patience.
Last week, Conte criticized Tottenham supporters, saying they lack patience.
“I understood that here patience is running out for the fans, for the environment and then we will see what happens in the future. I’m not stupid enough to kill myself.
‘Surely this has to be made clear. If you ask me now, “are you ready now to die for this club?” Yes. Until the end, I’m willing to die for this club and then we’ll see why I’m not stupid enough to keep killing myself.
‘We signed a contract, a strange contract, for a year and a half. Usually, you sign a contract for three years, but I think it was for the club and also for me to see the situation.
‘For the club to understand my personality, my ability as a coach and for me on my part it was also the same. To understand if we were on the same page and if we wanted to do something important.
Now, after a year and a half, the club knows me, I know the club and this situation is clear. That’s why we have to finish the season and then we’ll see.
The club knows very well what my thoughts are. I am ready to die for this club until the end of the season. So, if you ask me, the decision will be made with the club and the club knows my thoughts very well.
Tottenham occupies fourth place in the Premier League, although they have played two more games than Newcastle, which is two points below.
Conte’s contract is due to expire at the end of June and he has shown an increasingly frustrating figure in recent weeks.