Neville hits out at awful Tottenham and makes damning Conte claim

Arsenal vs Spurs Match In Pics

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Tottenham boss Antonio Conte can no longer succeed in the Premier League with his pragmatic style of play, according to Gary Neville. The Manchester United legend claims Spurs were “awful” in Saturday’s north London derby defeat to Arsenal.

Tottenham’s unbeaten start to the season ended at the home of their arch rivals. The Gunners were deserved winners and opened up a four-point gap over Conte’s side.

Conte has faced some criticism for his style of play, where his teams look to absorb pressure and hit on the counter attack. Neville says that has worked before in England but not anymore.

He said on the Gary Neville podcast: “We’ve seen it coming over the years now that the dominant team, the one who enjoys the ball and wants the ball, is winning a lot more of these games. We’ve seen the less proactive teams and more pragmatic teams that want to play on the counter-attack not having the success that they once could have.

“And the direct teams that play the ball forward quickly – nowhere near having the success that they once had. I think that can only be a positive thing generally.

“We quite often in big games at Manchester United would play on the counter attack and sit back and draw a team on. But I’m seeing now more and more that you’ve got to be dominant in possession all the time.”

Neville did not hold back in his assessment of Spurs’ performance at the Emirates. And he reiterated his stance that their current style will not lead to success.

He added: “I have to say, yesterday I thought Spurs were awful. I don’t think we should apologise for saying that.

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“I thought their ambition was poor, I thought that they played too deep. I think it sent a message to Arsenal.

“Yes, they got back into the game and you’re thinking Conte can win a game like that. We’ve seen managers over the years who have been brilliant at winning games in that passive manner where they sit back and wait, then they’ll go get a counter-attack.

“But we’re seeing a lot less of it. It’s becoming a lot less of a theory that can succeed in football.

“Yesterday, I have to say that Arsenal won the game well and it makes the team that are trying that tactic of sitting back look really poor. It makes them look awful and it makes them look negative like they’ve got no idea.”

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