Antonio Conte sends Tottenham warning over 'dangerous' demands

Antonio Conte has warned Tottenham he is yet to make any dangerous demands to improve the state of the club.

The Italian remains under pressure as Spurs’ poor run of form continued on Thursday night, being beaten 4-2 by champions Manchester City despite taking a two-goal lead at the end of the first half. They have won just one league game since the World Cup.

Speaking after the defeat, Conte insisted he hasn’t made the same splash he did with Inter and Juventus.

“If I demanded the same level as at Juventus and Inter it could be dangerous, as my frustration could be very big.

“Instead I know what is my task in this situation and then I’m working very hard because I want to improve. I want to improve the team and the club with my vision, with my idea, with my suggestions. Then for sure we see.”

Asked what Spurs need to do to catch up with the Premier League’s top sides, Conte responded: “This is not a question for me. This is a question for the club.”

Concern is growing in north London, with Conte’s contract due to run out at the end of the season. They are fifth, five points off fourth placed Newcastle having played a game, and hopes of finishing in the Champions League qualification places have been dashed by this poor run of form.

He added: “Today we played a good game, we played with personality, we put a lot of pressure to them.

“At the same time, I’m disappointed. This is the first time in my career that my team concedes four goals in one half.

“We have to continue to work and try to improve this group of players. When I tell you that we have to reduce the gap, the process has just started.”