Hugo Lloris says he can understand Antonio Conte's frustration with Tottenham since taking over at the club. Spurs' victory at Brighton on Wednesday night continued a win-loss-win-loss pattern that has prevailed for much of 2022.
Conte's demeanour has often matched the outcome of the games, with him optimistic at times and frustrated on others. The Italian has grown more consistent though in his post-match emotions in March as he has seen his team's improvement on the whole. Lloris believes that he and the other Tottenham players are beginning to understand Conte, his emotions and what he wants from them.
"Obviously after four months we start to know each other well. I think he’s showing a lot of passion and he's doing his job with a lot of emotion," said the Spurs captain. "At some moments we can understand his frustration. The players as well, we have this frustration but we keep going, we keep working. Antonio and his staff provide the best from day one and they are not the kind of people who are going to give up in any circumstances.
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"You are in the Premier League and you face difficulties but we – everyone, coaching staff and players – feels the improvement. We really feel the way and the direction we want to take as a team and I think game by game we want to keep improving to make the chance to compete for the final race."
Spurs need to break their inconsistent pattern this weekend because London rivals West Ham visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a match between two European competition qualification contenders and top four hopefuls.
"It’s clear, West Ham is going to be massive for us and could make the difference for the final race," admitted Lloris. "When we started this week, especially after the disappointment of the Manchester United game, we had a clear target with Brighton away and West Ham home before the international break – to take maximum points to be close for the European places."
With Spurs' 2-0 victory at the Amex Stadium and fourth place Arsenal losing by the same scoreline at home against Liverpool on Wednesday night, the top four race is all to play for again. Just three points separate the two sides and Manchester United, West Ham and Wolves all competing for fourth place as well..
Lloris is remaining calm, although he believes that the team is moving in the right direction if they are to achieve their objective.
"It’s important to keep our feet on the floor and move game by game, honestly, but I really feel improvement of the team, even with the loss against Manchester United," he said. "The feeling after the game, there was frustration obviously but there was a real feeling that we are clearly showing a direction in the way we play football, and today again.
"It’s been now a few games in a consecutive way that we are growing in terms of maturity and growing in terms of good feelings, even if we had some disappointments like the FA Cup loss, the Manchester United game, Burnley away from home.
"I believe it's part of the process but it's clear and really important to understand that Sunday is massive for Spurs if we want to be in the right place for the final race, and keep our chance, keep our hopes for a strong finish to the season."
