Antonio Conte has told Football London exactly why he thinks Nottingham Forest defeated Tottenham last night.
The Reds won 2-0 courtesy of second-half goals from Renan Lodi and Jesse Lingard.
Conte brought his team to the City Ground back in August and on that occasion saw his team run out as winners.
Last night, their participation in a competition that they could have realistically won came to an abrupt end.
In fairness, Spurs never laid a glove on Forest and the Reds could have won in a more emphatic fashion.
Tottenham’s season showed early promise but of late it’s hit the mockers somewhat much to the dismay of their supporters.
Conte believes that tiredness played a part in last night’s performance that saw them dumped out of the League Cup.
He blamed fatigue for Harry Kane’s abject performance, yet ultimately he still decided to pick him.
It sounds somewhat like sour grapes from Conte, although Forest were in a position to make nine changes to their team.
Still, Tottenham’s squad cost a fortune and perhaps he should have rotated his squad better before now.
The manager wasn’t particularly disrespectful to Forest but he did reel off a few excuses for the defeat.
Conte says exactly why he thinks Forest defeated Tottenham
Shortly after the defeat, the Tottenham boss started to dissect it and analyse where things went wrong.
He has suggested that Forest simply wanted the game more, whilst also saying the home side’s energy played a part.
The Italian told Football London: “In our hearts and minds was the desire to go ahead in this competition.
“But the difference was the energy. It was really different between us and Nottingham Forest.”
The Reds were well worth their victory and could have won by more goals on another night.
Conte perhaps has a point by suggesting Forest had higher energy levels and they thoroughly deserved the win.
The challenge now is to kick on in the league and start climbing the table.
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