The Italian says he got his gameplan wrong against Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
Tottenham caretaker boss Cristian Stellini has taken full responsibility for his side’s 6-1 mauling at the hands of Newcastle on Sunday and says his switch to a back four did not work.
The north Londoners gave a dreadful performance in the first half at St James’ Park and shipped five goals in the first 21 minutes of the match in a truly astonishing combination of frenetic attacking from the hosts and woeful defending from the visitors.
After persistent calls from supporters to ditch Antonio Conte’s back three, coupled with injuries, Stellini decided to go with a back four against Newcastle.
But his team looked ill-equipped to play the formation, with the full-backs particularly exposed by long balls forward, and the stand-in coach was forced to sub on Davinson Sanchez – the subject of boos last week against Bournemouth – after the fifth goal in order to revert to a back five.
Tottenham were a little more solid in the second half, with Harry Kane netting a consolation goal before substitute Callum Wilson added a sixth for Newcastle.
After the game, skipper Hugo Lloris slammed Spurs’ lack of fight and aggressiveness and refused to blame the formation switch for the calamitous first 21 minutes, though Stellini had a different opinion and felt his tactical tweak was the main issue.
‘It was my responsibility to decide how we play and we decided to do it differently because of the injuries. It is my responsibility, I took it and it was wrong,’ the Italian told Sky Sports.
Tottenham were a mess at the back against Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
‘I have to take responsibility because once we changed system we played better, scored and showed fight. Its very difficult to understand why the first 25 minutes were so bad.’
Asked why he decided to change to a back four, he explained: ‘To give energy to the players because we spoke in the week it would be possible to change system, but obviously we didn’t show this.
‘We were not prepared to play this type of tough game. To suffer, control the space, win duels, we were not well prepared.
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‘We had a good mood before the game but if you do not show this during the game. The change showed a different idea.’
Asked about what he said to Pape Matar Sarr when he brought him off for Sanchez, he added: ‘I said to him, it was not his mistake or his problem. We knew that the first 20 minutes here will be difficult for everyone, just don’t concede a goal, after the first shot we conceded the first goal.
‘I am the coach and I am above them, I have to protect them and they deserve my protection. Today I have to take this responsibility.’
MORE : Hugo Lloris fronts up after Spurs capitulation and explains half-time substitution
MORE : Kieron Dyer says Antonio Conte was right about Spurs players after Newcastle horror show
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The Italian says he got his gameplan wrong against Newcastle.