Antonio Conte stresses Tottenham outbursts are part of a concerted ‘strategy’ to send a message to his players

Tottenham head coach Antonio Conte has insisted his public outbursts are part of a concerted strategy to send a message to his players, rather than the result of emotion.

Conte has lurched from one extreme to another in recent weeks, describing his squad as the best group he had ever worked with after the 3-2 win over Manchester City before suggesting the players were a problem three days later, following the defeat to Burnley.

Conte appeared particularly frustrated at Turf Moor, questioning if he was the right man for the job in a series of interviews with television, radio and the written press.

Sources at the club suggested the Italian was simply emotional in the wake of a frustrating result, and Conte later appeared to confirm this interpretation, saying he needs at least a day to recover from defeats.

Spurs responded to the reverse at Burnley with a 4-0 win at Elland Road on Saturday, their biggest victory of the season, albeit against a Leeds side in free-fall.

And speaking ahead of Tuesday’s FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough, Conte said all his messages to the press are part of a strategy.

"You have to understand when there is a strategy or not, and not only an emotional moment," Conte told reporters on Monday.

"It is not right to explain why I talk in one way and after three days I spoke in another way.

"Maybe I can explain to you: every time we have a press conference there is a strategy behind it, not an emotional moment.

"I understood that [after Burnley] was the right moment, after four defeats in five games and a win in the game against Manchester City three days before, to send the right message, a clear message to myself, the club and also the players.

"We have to know we are here to enjoy football, at the