The one thing that could prevent Antonio Conte from enjoying success at Tottenham Hotspur

Here's the full transcript of our Tottenham Hotspur Q&A with our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold as he discusses Antonio Conte's first week at the club

by · football.london

LouisMell: " What is the biggest roadblock keeping the Conte era from being a success, any worries it won't work out?"

Alasdair says: "I think it's whether the project he was sold is the one he gets. Conte is a world class coach, but he also wants things to be his way and that includes getting the right transfers in through the door and that, at the clubs he has previously been at, has involved plenty of money.

"If he's backed in the transfer market by Spurs then it will all be down to him and he's proved he will succeed. If he's not then that's when the fireworks happen."

FreddieLR: "How did Levy and Paratici convince Conte to take the job?"

Alasdair says: "As I said above, it would have been the project outlined to him, which presumably gave him the belief that he could add more trophies to his CV. There is some discrepancy over the outcome of their previous talks in the summer. The word out of Spurs at the time was one of demands that the club could not agree to, while now Conte and Paratici have spoken about it being too close to his Inter departure amid the emotion of it all. Perhaps Tottenham are now just in a more stable financial situation than they were at that point."

AlexStylianou: "Do you expect the team to change much once the international break is over? Feels like he's gone with the safest options to start his reign, and the ones who would appear to be the fittest and able to cover the ground the most. Do you also expect to see his trademark winger to wing-back conversion at some point to give us more of an attacking threat than staying with two conventional full backs in those positions?"

Alasdair says: "Yes, there's an expectation within the club that the starting XI and formation will change over the coming weeks. I think the width from the wing-backs negates the need for wingers up front as well so I think we'll see a shift to a 3-4-1-2 and yes I reckon two or three faces in the team will be different within a month's time.

"As for converted wing-backs, Reguilon and Emerson (as well as Sessegnon and Doherty) have the ability to carry out the role so I'm not sure he needs to convert anyone particularly but who knows what the future holds for Lucas/Bergwijn if he did go down that route."

Nymble: "Spurs need to sort out their offense and put more shots on goal. What can Conte do in the short term to get the midfield and attack to sync up better and increase the xG?"

Alasdair says: "I wrote a piece earlier that included my thoughts on that. Have a look above for a link to it but in essence, I think we need a 3-4-2-1 with Ndombele or Lo Celso as a number 10 threading balls through to Kane and Son up front and the wing-backs. It would link up the lines better. There's no need for wingers when you've got wing-backs."

Haith: "How long do you think it will take for Conte to get his still of play working and demands to the players?"

Alasdair says: "The main issue for Conte, as he's quickly pointed out, is that he's taking over mid-season without a pre-season to get his methods across. It's going to take some time and there's not a full week without a midweek match, with all the players in training, until January. I don't think we'll truly see a Conte Tottenham until the second half of the season."

Tabz1234: "Any chance Spurs will buy Nkunku, Szoboszlai or Pedro Goncalves? Also any players Spurs are seriously looking at?"

Alasdair says: "Fabio Paratici claims that he and Conte have not spoken about new signings yet and you'd imagine the Italian will want to look at his squad closely before making decisions about what he needs. There's also the incoming Pape Matar Sarr to take into account next summer when it comes to the midfield.

"Tottenham were already being linked with Serie A players galore with Paratici's arrival and that will only increase with Conte joining him. I believe they need another centre-back, potentially another central midfielder if Winks departs in January, an advanced playmaker and a striker, but Conte may decide differently. Tottenham, as with many clubs, are often quiet in January but they can't afford to be this time around."

Jordan: "What is the first thing you want Conte to change after his first two games?"

Alasdair says: "Definitely to bring in Ndombele or Lo Celso in a number 10 role. There needs to be a central playmaker threading passes through to Kane and Son or the wing-backs. You don't need wingers with wing-backs."

Haith: "Who will be the main beneficiary of Conte. Do you think they will be more then one player who was previously poor to benefit from Conte?"

Alasdair says: "A new manager brings a fresh start for everyone but also with Conte, his formation change also brings more opportunities. At Tottenham, centre-backs know they will get more chances as there will be three used, so the likes of Rodon and Tanganga could get more games there.


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"Sessegnon and Doherty will benefit from the use of wing-backs, while the one area Spurs were overloaded on - wingers - suddenly aren't as necessary unless they are versatile enough to play inside or even as a wing-back. It shakes everything up, which is no bad thing."

andriuza: "Do you think that Conte is the most exciting manager that Tottenham could get at this time in the manager market? Are you kind of excited what he can do at Tottenham?"

Alasdair says: "I think he is and yes I am. It's an ambitious move from the club and he's a winner. The key now will be how he deals with things mid-season and also whether the club show the accompanying ambition how they back him."

Phenomthfc: "Do you think Conte can get Spurs top four without any business in January?"

Alasdair says: "He will improve the players he has but he needs help in January if he's going to make the top four."