Tottenham icon Teddy Sheringham has questioned Antonio Conte's constant change in 'body language' ahead of the Lilywhites' latest challenge against Everton.
Spurs are looking to bounce back immediately from their shock Middlesbrough defeat in the FA Cup by winning back to back games in the Premier League.
With Arsenal cantering away on great form to a potential top four finish, it is imperative for Conte's side to respond in due course but the pattern that has been seen in recent weeks by Sheringham has raised doubt in his mind whether the Italian's heart is in it anymore with the constant fluctuation in 'body language.'
"It’s very up and down, very Spursy. I think tonight is going to go down on body language. When you look at Conte, his body language can go from one extreme to the next," the 55-year-old stated on Sky Sports' coverage of Monday Night Football.
"At Manchester City, he was jumping around and then at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup, he was down and not his usual self. I thought that they were improving under his guidance at the start of his time at the club, but I’m unsure what the direction is from here."
Conte himself in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon validated Sheringham's concerns, admitting that he doesn't like the so called 'Spursy' pattern of up and down results in a short space of time.
He said: "My reaction was that I was disappointed and frustrated for the result. For sure, to have this up and down I don't like. I always said this from my first day when I arrived.
"Tottenham’s story is this, many ups and downs, but to be competitive, to try to win something, to try to fight for something important and become a strong team, the first thing that has to happen is to be stable and avoid these ups and downs.
"To do this and to change this type of situation that is happening for many, many years in Tottenham, it's not simple. In a short time it’s impossible to do this, not only for me but I think for any manager or coach to come in and change the story in one second.
"Especially when this club for 20 years has this type of situation. For sure, sometimes you have to be upset. I think it’s normal to be angry when we lost. One thing is to be angry when we lose and another thing is to speak about my reaction and emotion. They are two different situations.
"To avoid this situation, I try to keep every time the same behaviour, the same way to face this press conference. I think it’s normal sometimes you’re angry and other times you can face the situation in a different way. But for sure we have to be disappointed. Me, the players and the club because we got eliminated by Middlesbrough.
"It’s a pity because FA Cup could have been a target for us, in our minds at least to keep us focussed and concentrated on our target. And now we have only the second part of the season to play."
You can follow live coverage of the Monday Night Football between Spurs and Everton on football.london here.
