Spurs crisis points to a lack of quality in squad

Pressure on Conte to get his underperformers back on winning path.

- Dan Kilpatrick

AS Tottenham’s season threatens to unravel, it is tempting to point the finger at Antonio Conte. In home defeats to Southampton and Wolves, Spurs’ tentative progress has come to a shuddering halt, with performances lacking organisation, confidence, quality and a plan.

If they lose again at Manchester City on Saturday, it will be the first time in 18 years Spurs have suffered four Premier League defeats on the bounce.

Conte is not beyond scrutiny and some of his decisions have likely contributed to the slump. More on that later. More than any failing of Conte, however, this week has further exposed the glaring shortcomings in his squad, finally putting an end to any lingering hopes that Spurs may not need such a drastic rebuild with the Italian in charge.

Southampton’s aggression last Wednesday forced mistake after panicked mistake from Conte’s side, and many of his players were short of the required quality or fight to cope with the visitors. A committed and organised Wolves exposed the same flaws four days later.