Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte says his side failed to show a ruthless streak in the Emirates FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough.
Spurs fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Riverside with John Coburn netting the winner in extra-time.
Spurs will now go another season without winning a trophy and while suggesting that his players were to blame for their latest defeat, Conte reiterated that the setback was ‘part of the process’.
“For sure the result is not good and we have to be frustrated. It was a pity because in these type of game you have to start and kill your opponent. If you give them hope, they will take confidence and improve during the game. Then anything can happen,”Conte told BBC Sport.
First of all, it is important to say that Middlesbrough played a good game, deserves respect and congratulate them for the win. We have to reflect on our performance and on the game we played. These type of games, in these trophies away from home, you have to try to kill the game quickly.
Your opponent has to understand that the night will be difficult, instead we can do much better and in the end Middlesbrough deserved to go to the next round.
“This is part of our process. I repeat, we have to try to avoid the up and down up and down and there is only one way to improve the situation is to work and learn about the defeat. We have to go ahead and we will try to do our best this season.”
The North London club will face Everton in the Premier League next Monday.
