Antonio Conte reacts to ‘Spursy’ claims as Tottenham prepare for ‘miracle’ in season finale

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte claims the club will have pulled off a ‘miracle’ if they qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the Premier League season.

Spurs were struggling down in ninth when Conte took over from Nuno Espirito Santo in November. At that time they were five points off the pace and while a major uplift under the Italian boosted their hopes they found themselves four points behind a resurgent Arsenal with three games to go.

However, an emphatic victory in the north London derby and then a win over Burnley, coupled with a Gunners’ loss at Newcastle, means Tottenham are two points clear of their rivals with a hame to go.

Conte’s men head to already-relegated Norwich on Sunday, while Arsenal host an Everton side that are now safe.

And Conte insists that the mentality in his squad has ensured they will be ‘Spursy’ at Carrow Road.

When asked whether he knew what the term ‘Spursy’ meant, Conte said: “I am trying to cut this. We have to show on Sunday the development in this aspect.

“I don’t forget in the past what happened. I remember Manchester City in the last game when they were losing against QPR…in England it is not easy. I remember when City lost the FA Cup against Wigan.

“I like to put it on myself big, big targets, not minimal targets. I’ve never said this before but I said we needed a miracle. I said we must fight for a place in the UEFA (Europa League).

Tottenham mentality has changed

“But I said before the last nine games we are ready to fight for a place in the Champions League. We are in this race and I think we now understand that something has changed in everybody.

“I remember very well when I spoke with the club, with Daniel, at that moment the situation wasn’t so good and the club asked me to help them. And to try to find a solution to improve the team in many aspects.

“If you remember, we didn’t score a lot, Harry Kane at that period had scored only goal and we conceded a lot of goals, many, many problems.

“For sure, if he (Levy) had asked me ‘I want to go to the Champions League’, at that moment, to be realistic, I can tell him only one thing…’are you joking?’

“This is the truth because we are talking about England a situation in this League that is very, very difficult, because there are four top teams. If one of these top teams doesn’t miss the season, it will be very difficult to go inside.”

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