Tottenham’s 3-1 victory against West Ham on Sunday was a result of solid individual performances and a good overall team display from Antonio Conte’s side. It meant Spurs have now ended their almost perfect win-lose trend that they had inadvertently created in 2022 and secured them a much needed three points in the top four race. After the win, the Italian praised his side for the display and highlighted the ambition he continues to has, the longer he works with his new side.
Antonio Conte said: “You know very well that I like to fight, I like to fight to win and to win in this case, to win a Premier League. I like to fight to be competitive, to have the possibility to fight and then you know very well only one team is able to win but I think that my past gives me the chance and also I think I deserve to have this chance to fight to win.Now I am enjoying a lot the work I am doing with these players, with Tottenham because for sure I have taken in this moment a level lower than the top team that there are in this league, but I’m enjoying a lot to see the improvement and today, honestly, I asked my players I want to enjoy seeing you play football and now I am seeing we are a really good team. Now I am ready to play every game and to play against every opponent and I’m sure that today is a very difficult to play against us.”
From the start of the season there has been an issue of creativity from Spurs, most notably from the middle of the field. Pierre Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp had created a good partnership in those roles, but there was still something missing and there didn’t seem to be that link between the defensive and offensive play. Skipp has been a big loss for Spurs, as he has now been out for a couple of months with injury issues. In his pre match press conference ahead of the match against West Ham, Conte provided an update on the 21-year-old’s return.
Antonio Conte said: “About Skippy, I hope to have him after the international break. His pain it seems is getting better and better. In Skipp’s absence and with Harry Winks not making the required impact when given the opportunity, it has been Hojbjerg playing alongside the new arrival.
The Dane has faced criticism this season for his inconsistent performances, much like a number of the Tottenham players, losing the ball on a number of occasions throughout games. However, in the last couple of matches, there has been an improvement in his displays and the 26-year-old seems to be building a more comfortable relationship alongside the Uruguayan. After Spurs’ 2-0 victory against Brighton during the week, the Italian praised the midfielders solid start.
Antonio Conte added: “I said to you after these two signings now we are more complete, especially in midfield because we lost Skipp for two/three months in this moment. We needed to have a player like Rodrigo.”
