Antonio Conte told to make major change now or risk Tottenham sack – Agbonlahor

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Antonio Conte could pay with his job if he doesn’t move away from his favoured 3-5-2 formation at Tottenham.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Spurs will go nowhere while they are restricted by the 53-year-old’s “negative and defensive” tactics.

Tottenham fell to a second derby defeat of the season against Arsenal on Sunday (15 January) – losing 2-0 at home.

The Lilywhites now sit fifth in the Premier League – five points adrift of the Champions League places.

As per Transfermarkt, Spurs have lined up with a three-man defence in each of their 27 games across all competitions this season.

Conte is out of contract at the end of this season and is yet to pledge his future to Tottenham.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I do like Conte, but I don’t like his formation.

“I’ve never liked three at the back. It’s too defensive, it’s negative – and sometimes the three defenders can be marking no-one.

“The formation he wants to play is not going to get Spurs to the next level, and I can see it costing his job.

“All the top teams at the moment are playing four at the back – Arsenal, Man City, Newcastle, Man United.

Tottenham

“It’s not complicated. If Conte doesn’t change, I can’t see Spurs going anywhere.

“It’s so boring. Spurs get the ball back and they’ve got nowhere to go, they’re outnumbered.”

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