The Tottenham star admits Nuno took the wrong major call; reject criticism

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Tottenham defender Ben Davies has admitted that a decision by Nuno Espirito Santo in one of his last games in charge injured him and some of the other players.

Spurs sacked Nuno in November after a poor run of results and form. He only accepted the job at the start of the season, but it quickly became clear to Spurs bosses that they needed a change.

A 3-0 loss to Manchester United in north London marked a turning point. Indeed, President Daniel Levy held crisis talks which resulted in the sacking after home fans booed the manager.

However, the Europa Conference League’s 1-0 loss to Vitesse Arnhem before that proved another important sour note in Nuno’s short tenure.

The coach was criticized for choosing what was effectively his “B” team. The fringe players who struggled to make it to the Premier League starting squad have all played. More tellingly, he left all of his top-choice players at home.

Davies told The Athletic, reflecting on the time spent at Nuno: “Speed’s was tough – I was one of the players who played in this game and I traveled as a team of 11… it’s not easy.

“It makes you feel like a B team traveling for the game. And for Tottenham Hotspur, for me it’s still an important game.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s the third round of the FA Cup, the League Cup, whatever, you represent the club and you are there.”

Vitesse deservedly won three points against slow Tottenham who have since lost to Mura in the same competition – and in the same way.

“I’m not someone who is going to struggle with motivation, but maybe some players do,” Davies added.

“Especially in these kinds of games, it’s not necessarily easy. If you’re not prepared you can’t come up to 80% against these teams and that night it showed. It was a difficult night. It was very disappointing and it hurt.

Tottenham have since come under criticism for their lack of leaders within the squad who can inspire their teammates. Such comments were also made under new boss Antonio Conte, but Davies dismissed the idea.

Tottenham and Conte have many leaders

“Personally, I think there is [leaders] and I feel like that’s a criticism that can be leveled against a team if you don’t win something, ”added the Welsh international.

“We have great characters on the team. We have people who are not afraid to speak their minds face to face.

“We are a good group, especially those who have been there for a long time, including me. We are desperate to win something, and I hope we can show it.

Tottenham have seen their ups and downs since Conte took the helm.

The loss to Mura was a low point, but the 2-1 victory over Leeds showed determination and courage.

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