Conte: We look like relegation candidates

ANTONIO CONTE has conceded that Tottenham are showing relegation form after their defensive chaos continued at Manchester City on Thursday.

Spurs’ 4-2 defeat at the Etihad — after they had led 2-0 at half-time — means they have shipped 21 goals in their past 10 Premier League games, a run that has included six defeats and only three victories.

‘To concede 21 goals in the last 10 games, this is usually a team that fight in the relegation zone,’ said Conte. ‘Last season I don’t remember how many clean sheets we had with Hugo Lloris but this season in every game we concede at least two goals — this is our average, like a team that is fighting in the relegation zone.’

The manager, whose sides are normally renowned for their solidity, admitted there was no quick fix. Conte suggested it required a psychological change rather than any tweaks in selection.

‘It doesn’t depend on the players or a single part. You attack with the whole team and you defend with the whole team. You have to defend the result, the will and desire not to concede a goal.’ But the Italian insists his side are making progress despite the City defeat leaving them five points off fourth-placed Newcastle, who also have a game in hand.

Conte was not unhappy with Spurs’ performances in defeats against City and north London rivals Arsenal but he admitted ‘this is not enough to be considered a top team’. He added: ‘We have to find again something that last season we had.

‘I don’t know why for one reason or another this season we maybe lost.’

●JUVENTUS, one of Conte’s former clubs, were last night hit with a 15-point deduction after an investigation into ‘false accounting’ and ‘market manipulation’. The Turin-based club, the most successful in Italian history, have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and are expected to appeal the sentence.