One of Antonio Conte's main concerns at Tottenham Hotspur

One of Antonio Conte’s main concerns at Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur's Italian head coach Antonio Conte gestures during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on December 28, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Tottenham Hotspur missed the opportunity to leapfrog West Ham in the standings after a frustrating 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s.

It was the first time in 51 days Tottenham played an away contest in the Premier League, the longest duration between away matches of any top flight team. Antonio Conte, while undefeated in seven Premier League contests at Spurs, will be concerned by his side’s inability to win away from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Conte has only been in charge for two away tests in the league, one of which today’s 1-1 draw against Southampton. The other, a 0-0 stalemate at Goodison on Nov. 7, was Conte’s first match in charge of his new club. So it would be ridiculous to blame Conte for any of Tottenham’s road inadequacies. That won’t do anything to alleviate his concern about how his side has performed away from home so far this season.

While two distinctly different eras — pre and post Conte — Tottenham’s away misgivings will be one of Conte’s main priorities going forward. Spurs probably deserved all three points in today’s contest, but were unable to find the decisive moment against a resistant10-man Southampton. Top teams find a way to win those games, and, were it not for two controversial decisions, Spurs would have taken all three points.

Unfortunately Tottenham can’t rely on VAR or a referee to aid in their collective plight. Eric Dier‘s post-match interview summed it up nicely. The English marshal said that Spurs weren’t good enough and need to find a way to win those matches, regardless of controversial decisions or close calls.

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