(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tottenham’s worrying Premier League table position based ONLY on Antonio Conte’s games in charge

Are Tottenham on track for a Champions League spot under Antonio Conte?

Tottenham will take on Brighton Hove and Albion looking for three points to keep them in the hunt for a return to Champions League football.

The club is desperate to return to Europe’s elite competition to keep manager Antonio Conte and striker Harry Kane motivated and at the club.

Kane tried to force a move to Manchester City last summer, and even though he has looked happy in recent weeks, partly due to his improved goal scoring form, sources close to him say he is determined to play in the Champions League and will only commit to Spurs if they can get back into it.

So it is imperative that Tottenham finish in the top four to keep hold of their talisman.

And the Premier League table makes for slightly worrying reading for Spurs fans, since Conte took over in November.

The Italian, who rejected the Tottenham role in the summer only to backtrack and take up the job, has been unable to find consistency despite all his efforts and experience.

There have been obvious improvements, highlighted by the glittering 3-2 win against champions Manchester City and the battering of Everton at home.

However Spurs have also suffered embarrassing defeats to Championship side Middlesbrough, which resulted in elimination from the FA Cup, and a deflating league defeat to relegation-threatened Burnley at Turf Moor.

Conte has been vocal on the call for the club to be ambitious and challenge for titles instead of always looking to celebrate finishing in the top four.

But he has had to admit that given the challenges this season, his target will be leading the team to a Champions League spot.

So with Arsenal looking sharp and Manchester United led by the impregnable Cristiano Ronaldo, how has Antonio Conte fared?

Is he on track to achieve his goal of returning the club to Champions League football, which will lead to an 18-month contract extension?

Below is the league table based only on the time Conte has been in charge of Spurs.