Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has outlined that Cristian Stellini is giving the squad continuity on the training pitch after Antonio Conte's departure. Following the 53-year-old's exit after 16 months in the Spurs hotseat, his assistant has become acting head coach for the remainder of the season.
Recording some positive results when previously in charge of the team when Conte was absent, Stellini was unable to register three points at Everton on Monday evening following Michael Keane's stunning equaliser in the 90th minute that cancelled out Harry Kane's penalty. Following a positive week on the training pitch leading up to the game on Merseyside, Lloris has stressed the importance of remaining positive as they look to finish the season in the top four.
"Cristian knows very well the players, he knows well the club. He's just here to give continuity and try to finish the job as good as we can," explained the long-serving goalkeeper. "Again, I repeat, it is also the responsibility of everyone, not only one people more than the other. It's players, coaching staff, medical staff, all the people involved to create the right energy.
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"Last week was very good. [It was] Positive and we have to stay positive and try to recover the energy and obviously results and wins give you more confidence, especially in this period that is very decisive."
He added: "As I said he gives continuity of the style of play that we used to have the last 18 months, but the focus is on this final sprint. We have to forget about the past.
"There was ten games left with the willingness and the target to finish strong. We got one point. The best way to give credit of this point is to win the next two home games.
"We know home games are very important, but step by step. I don't want to look too much forward because every game is a battle and you have to keep the energy and focus on Brighton."
Tottenham's point at Goodison Park now leaves them sandwiched between Newcastle United and Manchester United on 50 points in the race for a Champions League berth, although both of their rivals do have two games in hand over the Lilywhites. Dropping four points in their last two games after surrendering leads late on against struggling Everton and Southampton, Lloris says that the team should have managed the game much better as they gave the Toffees, who were down to ten men for the final 30 minutes after Abdoulaye Doucoure's red card, a route back into the contest.
"Yes. When you look at the way we managed the end of the game, it should have been better," said the former France international when asked if it was two points dropped. "Especially in possession. We could have kept them away from our goal with good pressure but we started to drop as a team on the pitch. We dropped the intensity and the red card didn't help the situation because the belief was back in that team and until the end they pushed, and they got the goal.
"But if you look at the overall performance, this is the most important thing. A lot of positive things, even if we could be able to create more chances. The only regret is that last 20 minutes. 1-0 up, we have the legs and the quality to go for the second goal. But we cannot play again, we have to move on, recover because Saturday is going to be a tough game."
Monday's game at Everton saw Lloris return to action for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in the win over Man City at the start of February. Although he wasn't in the team in their previous Premier League fixture at Southampton, Conte's comments in his explosive post-match interview were put to the captain but the 36-year-old instead pointed to the future rather than dwelling on the past.
"I have nothing to say about that, I'm only focused on the present and the future," he said. "The club took a decision but it doesn't matter who the manager is, all the players have to feel the responsibility when they wear the shirt.
"You have to do it first of all for yourself, then for the team, the people who work at the club, for the fans, for the club in general. But we are aware of the situation, we try our best. There is still nine games ahead of us. It's going to be difficult for all teams involved and we have to finish strong. And the key is consistency."
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