Tottenham boss Cristian Stellini reveals plan to stop dressing room mentality problem ahead of Brighton

Tottenham interim manager Cristian Stellini is engaging players more in an attempt to stop the team’s fragile mental block when the going gets tough.

Tottenham have endured another difficult campaign where they’ve crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship side Sheffield United and timidly limped out of the Champions League against Milan.

The consequence has been manager Antonio Conte has left the club and his place has been taken up by his trusted assistant, Cristian Stellini.

Results have not improved much though-with a disappointing 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened Everton at Goodison on Monday night. Spurs should really have won it all after playing for large parts of the second half with a man advantage.

But Stellini, who has vowed to give the top four a go, says he’s spending time talking to players to try to find the solution to the problems.

He told reporters ahead of the game against Brighton: “Yes we speak a lot about this but also we deserve to find the way to be Tottenham and to play the football that is strong in the tackle, strong in the pressure and strong with the ball. We have to be complete.”

The Lilywhites are currently fifth in the Premier League table, and face a Brighton side who are punching above their weight and chasing European football next season.

But Stellini says he’s not been surprised by the progress Brighton have made under De Zerbi as he was a very good player and has found a solution with their style of play.

The stand-in Tottenham boss added: “They are well positioned, they plan a match in the right way, they have many solutions also and they adapt themselves when you change something because they came from a good job that Potter did with them for a long time.

“Also I think De Zerbi found a good solution to play with his style because that team came with Potter and they know themselves very well. This is a great opportunity because when players play for a long time with each other, it is easier and they plan the match very well.”

Brighton are unbeaten in seven consecutive away Premier League games and Tottenham will have to play above themselves to take all three points at home.