'Only playing because...' - Journalist claims Conte forced to use Spurs duo causing 'issue'

Tottenham Hotspur journalist Charlie Eccleshare has expressed his view on a major problem that may be playing a part in the club’s inconsistent form.

The last few games for Tottenham have been a case of one step forward, one step back as they haven’t been able to put together back-to-back wins since December, which is hurting them on multiple fronts.

Not only has it meant that their chances of finishing in a European spot are in serious jeopardy, but their chances of winning a trophy are now over, and ending their long drought will have to wait for another year.

Writing in an article for The Athletic in the aftermath of their defeat to Middlesbrough which saw them crash out of the FA Cup, Eccleshare explained that one thing holding the club back is a lack of success from their full-backs in attack – something that is key in a Conte team – and that was obvious to see during their loss at the Riverside.

He wrote: “Part of the issue is that the wing-backs remain a way off the Conte ideal, meaning that so many attacks fizzle out on the flanks. This is especially the case on the right where neither Matt Doherty nor Emerson Royal has fully convinced, and are only playing because of the failure to land Adama Traore in January.

“On so many occasions on Tuesday, Doherty failed to connect properly with a pass or was too indecisive and a Tottenham attack broke down. On others, and this is something that also happens to Royal constantly, an opposition defender could stand him up knowing he wasn’t going to beat them.”

TIF Thoughts on Charlie Eccleshare’s comments about Tottenham Hotspur under Antonio Conte…

Eccleshare’s point is best backed up by the fact that both Doherty and Royal completed just one dribble between them against