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Antonio Conte gestures towards his players during the Carabao Cup semi-final. Alamy Stock Photo

'Tottenham has dropped, and dropped a lot' - Conte

The Italian saw his side well beaten by Chelsea in last night’s Carabao Cup first leg.

A DEFLATED Spurs boss Antonio Conte insisted Tottenham can only be rated as a mid-table Premier League team after his side’s defeat to Chelsea last night, urging patience and time on a major rebuilding job to catch up with England’s top teams.

“We need to have patience because there is a lot, a lot of a job to do, in many aspects,” said Conte.

“Because in the last few years the level of Tottenham has dropped, and dropped a lot. And now we have to rebuild, and we need to have patience and more time.

“We are working a lot, to try to fight in this league, but in this moment we are in the middle.

“That’s our situation, we are in the middle. Not up, not down, we are in the middle.”

Conte steered Chelsea to the 2017 Premier League title only to depart a year later after a major fall-out with the Blues’ board.

The former Inter Milan boss pulled no punches in comparing his struggling Spurs side to 2021 Champions League winners Chelsea.

“Look, Chelsea last season won the Champions League,” said Conte, laughing.

“And in this season they invested much more money to improve the team.

“So I think this is enough to understand the difference between us and them.

“We need time, so much time, we need so much time, before trying to resolve the situation.

“You can resolve the situation in only at least a year.

“I have a bit of experience, and also speak the facts.

“We need to stay as a unit, and try to rebuild an important situation for Tottenham.

“If we said the transfer window in January would solve our situation, we’d be telling you a lie.

“You have to see if there are players to improve you, but the resolution now is to work, to improve all aspects of our squad.”

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    Mute Nick McKeown
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:11 PM

    He must really not like his brother.

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Jun 8th 2014, 12:33 AM

    Think it’s just good retirement planning by the parents. He signs his brother to take over the carers role.

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    Mute Cillian Hogan
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    Jun 7th 2014, 4:54 PM

    A head scratcher if ever there was one.

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    Mute Robbie Alexander
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:02 PM

    Hate to slate a loyal servant but, it makes sense he allowed John afoa to go to Gloucester then.

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    Mute Stuart Moody
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:10 PM

    Does make you wonder!

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    Mute Nick McKeown
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:13 PM

    Not at all, that was a done deal long ago and Gloucester on sacked their present director last week.

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    Mute Nicky Forrester
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:00 PM

    NO ONE saw this coming, a real shocker!

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    Mute Andrew Fitzsimons
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    Jun 7th 2014, 4:59 PM

    Wow, I did not see that one coming! He was Mr Ulster, and I wouldn’t imagine he was anywhere near completing his objectives he had outlined with Ulster. Still, we should be able to attract a top class director. Conor O’Shea?

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:19 PM

    Big of a shock especially after the transformation that has happened up in Ulster the last few years…maybe he felt he couldn’t take them on any further?

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    Mute Gunneros
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:12 PM

    Head coach

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    Mute Fergal Hayes
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    Jun 7th 2014, 6:14 PM

    Mark Mc Call?

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:47 PM

    Not so strange. Frustration at the lack of success. By moving to Gloucester is he saying this is as far as I can take Ulster at this time? Is he saying that the powers that be do not share his ambition? What does Gloucester offer that he cannot achieve with Ulster? Shane Logan’s comments are curious, particularly regarding development as Ulster has a single representative in U20 in the junior world cup and a senior squad that can beat the best in Europe but has no trophies. Has the wrong man left Ulster?

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    Mute mark o leary
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    Jun 7th 2014, 6:25 PM

    That’s a strange one didn’t see that coming,are you any relation to charlize theron?

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    Mute Shane O'Donnell
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    Jun 7th 2014, 6:52 PM

    Hope it’s not a sign of things to come with the new financial clout of the premiership & top14 deals. I had worried about losing players but managers & directors are just as important.

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Jun 7th 2014, 7:08 PM

    Is it because there are simply too many too comfortable in their roles at Ulster paying lip service to sharing the vision or is it because he has read which way the financial wind is blowing?

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    Mute Diane Toner
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    Jun 8th 2014, 3:47 AM

    Sad day for Ulster Rugby. Brilliant player, captain and leader. He spotted and attracted the best players and brought them to Belfast.
    After 91 years you just can’t write off Ravenhill and its rugby history despite new stadium name. More to this story.

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    Mute Christiaan Theron
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    Jun 8th 2014, 10:55 AM

    But can they afford to let ambition walk out the door?

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    Mute WesupportJesus
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    Jun 7th 2014, 4:59 PM

    If David was the director of rugby what was the title for Mark Anscombe ?

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    Mute James Virgo
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    Jun 7th 2014, 5:25 PM

    Coach

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    Mute maurice
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    Jun 7th 2014, 9:48 PM

    It was probably in the works for a while, but just officially announced today, in case it was a distraction during the tail end of the season. Real surprise though

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