By Noel Whelan

21st Jan, 2023 | 3:10pm

Tottenham fans could turn against Antonio Conte after 'leak'

Noel Whelan has insisted Tottenham fans are right to be frustrated with “stubborn” boss Antonio Conte as his 3-5-2 system is “not working”.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested stars Harry Kane and Heung-min Son are being “shackled” by the 53-year-old Italian.

Tottenham are five points adrift of the Premier League top four following their second-half collapse at Man City on Thursday (19 January).

Spurs’ 4-2 loss also means they have played a game more than rivals Newcastle, Man United, and Man City.

Conte is yet to deviate from his favoured three-man defence in any of Tottenham’s 28 games across all competitions this season.

The former Chelsea boss is out of contract in just over five months and has been cagey about the possibility of a new deal.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I’d like to see Spurs try something new, but Conte seems like a stubborn person – and someone who doesn’t change his mind easily.

“He’ll stick to his principles.

“But I would personally like to see him try and change to a four, and just be that little bit more fluid in attack.

“Even playing three at the back, they’re leaking a lot of goals – so it’s not working for them.

“I can see why the fans are frustrated because they’ve watched some of the best attackers in the world in the past – Paul Gascoigne, Ossie Ardilles, Chris Waddle.

“Now they’ve got similar talent in Kane and Son, but they’re being shackled by this system.”

In other news, pundit backs Thomas Tuchel to replace Conte at Tottenham after development.