‘I NEED A TEAM THAT WILL FIGHT’

CONTE EYES SPENDING IN JANUARY AS SHOCK LOSS SHOWS SPURS FLAWS

ANTONIO CONTE last night sent an ominous January transfer window warning to his Tottenham players after watching them succumb to a humiliating 2-1 defeat at NS Mura.

The minnows, who are fifth in the Slovenian top flight and had never picked up a point in European competition, claimed the most famous victory in their short, nine-year history, with Spurs striker Harry Kane labelling the result “unacceptable”.

It was the first defeat of Conte’s reign and the Italian said he was “making evaluations” about his squad ahead of the January window.

“We need players with the right mentality and with the quality, players that deserve to play for Tottenham and aspire to be competitive, to fight for this shirt, to win something,” said Conte (right, last night).

“For sure, we need this. I’m making my evaluations and then I’ll speak with the club but I’m ready to continue to work in this way. But it’s important that we have to know the situation is not simple. It’s not enough to do this [clicks fingers] and change the situation.”

Conte has so far stressed the need to focus on improving the players he has and again lauded their work ethic, but admitted that is “sometimes not enough” as he gave the clearest indication yet he is not satisfied with the quality of the squad he has inherited from Nuno Espirito Santo.

“Honestly, I’m working with the team for three or four weeks and I want to tell you I have found a great commitment and there is the will, the desire to improve,” he said after the Europa Conference League defeat.

“But more time has now passed and I’m making my evaluations directly, not through the TV or through