Antonio Conte has told critics that he cannot work "a miracle", as he admitted Tottenham do not have the squad to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League this season.
Spurs’ 100 per cent home record came to an end as they went down 2-1 to Newcastle without several key players yesterday.
Callum Wilson controversially gave Newcastle the lead, firing into an empty net after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris claimed he was fouled, and Miguel Almiron doubled the visitors' advantage before half-time.
Harry Kane's header halved the deficit but Spurs struggled to create clear-cut chances as Newcastle hung on to condemn Conte's side to back-to-back defeats.
Spurs were without both Cristian Romero (calf) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (thigh) following Wednesday's 2-0 loss at Manchester United, while forwards Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison remain sidelined.
Conte afterwards warned supporters that the club faced a long rebuild and told his critics to be realistic about their position.
"The fans have to understand that we are doing our best in every moment. The commitment was really high," said Conte.
“In this moment we have to face a difficult situation for us, because when you don’t have three or four players in the squad then you are in trouble, you are in trouble.
“We have to face and manage very well this situation and overcome it together. This squad doesn’t allow to lose four players.
“The important teams, the title contenders… when you play every three days you need to have a deep, a strong squad with great quality. We have only just started our process.
“We are trying to improve our situation step by step but you need time and patience. This has to be clear for everybody. I want to be honest. With my experience, we are doing well but we need the time and patience.
“If we played one game every six or seven days, I think we could fight for something important. To play every three days, we have to continue to build our path and to have patience and don’t be too disappointed.
“If someone thinks we can invent the win and do a miracle, we need to continue to work. The commitment of the players was really high but we have just started the process.
“If someone doesn’t want to listen it is not my problem. We have to continue to work and fingers crossed we don’t have many injuries. Many injuries can affect our season."
Speaking to the BBC, the Italian said: “We need time and patience and, also for sure, money.”
Conte insisted he was under no illusions about the situation when he agreed to stay at the club over the summer and said it would take two to three more transfer windows to get his squad to the required level.
"Absolutely we knew this situation," he said. "I spoke with the club at the start of this season, I said to you [the media] that we need to go step by step and have time and patience and have two or three transfer markets to bring this squad to be competitive to play in two competitions like Premier League and Champions League."
Conte introduced Lucas Moura and Ivan Perisic in the second half against Newcastle, but again ignored youngsters Djed Spence and Bryan Gil, who remained unused subs.
"For sure this type of situation makes me frustrated because I would like to play this type of game, also in the Champions League, with the best team and then to have on the bench three, four or five good substitutions and not to try to invent situations," he said.
Spurs plan to assess Romero and Hojbjerg in the coming days, with Conte not sure if they will be fit to face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League on Wednesday. Kulusevski and Richarlison will remain out, he said.
