Conte: No time to get carried away

Antonio Conte said he was delighted with Spurs’ performance in their 2-1 win over Fulham but said it was no time to get carried away with their early season success.

Spurs sit third in the Premier League, having taken 14 points from a possible 18 so far this season after goals from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Kane helped them to a 2-1 win over London rivals Fulham.

Indeed, many observers thought this was Conte’s men’s most impressive performance so far this term, but the Italian is firmly keeping his feet on the ground.

Speaking after today’s win Conte said: “It was a good performance but when you create so many chances you need to score more.”

Asked if the fans could begin to get excited, he added: “Yes for sure and it is important to be excited for the team, but at the same time I have to be realistic.

“Don’t forget that last November the situation was problematic because we lost 3-0 at home against United then in only 10 months if someone thinks we can solve everything in that time and that we can be at the same level of the top teams, no, we have to be realistic.

"We have to play with ambition to be competitive but we finished last season with 20 points less than City and Liverpool.

“We are doing good things but I have to give a realistic judgement. It doesn’t mean that we don’t fight but I have a bit of experience to tell you that we need time and patience, then if there is the chance in the transfer market, we must not do a big mistake.”

Conte was full of praise for two of his forward players especially – Kane and new signing Richarlison.

Conte said: “I am really pleased for the way that Harry is playing. We needed his goals but I am pleased to see how he is playing. He is fantastic technically and he plays in a way where everybody enjoys to see him play.

“I am sure he wants to fight to be competitive in everything. We are talking about a player that works for the team with the ball and without the ball. And many times players with great talent do not want to play for the team – but Harry is a great player.”

On Richarlison he added: “ I am using him in all the three positions, number 9 then number 10 on the right and the left. I am not surprised but I enjoy the way he has come into our ideas so quickly.

“For me he played in an amazing way. He play with personality, with quality and he found difficult passes between the line.

"Richy played really well and in this way I am relaxed because when we play in just a few days you need to rest.

“Richy is a strong player, you feel his personality. He is a warrior, a fighter.”

Pictured top: Antonio Conte (Picture: Charlie Stong)