‘Tottenham didn’t do that’: Gary Neville suggests Conte is getting something massively wrong with his tactics

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Gary Neville has said that Tottenham need to adapt their 5-3-2 formation under Antonio Conte if they’re to have success.

Neville was watching on as Tottenham lost to Liverpool yesterday. Mo Salah’s double proved enough for the Reds, who held on despite a Harry Kane goal making it a tighter affair.

However, Neville picked up on Tottenham’s tactics under Conte. In particular, he noted the 5-3-2 set up. And Neville, chatting on his podcast on Sky Sports, says he’s only ever seen it work properly under Glenn Hoddle, admitting he used to love to play against the system.

“Under Glenn Hoddle, I have to say Glenn coached it very well. Probably the best I’ve seen a manager coach that system. What he used to do was if the three in midfield shuffled across to a side, your exposure is the opposite side,” Neville said.

“What he used to do was say to the two strikers, he’d bring one striker over across to the right centre-back and the second striker would have to split the left centre-back and the left-back, so that if the switch went then that striker could get out there. Tottenham didn’t do that. Perisic and Kane were narrow.”

TBR’s View: Neville makes brilliant point on Tottenham tactics v Liverpool

Tactics are a big part of any game and it’s clear here that Neville feels Tottenham got it wrong v Liverpool.

This is what makes Gary Neville such an interesting listen. He points things out most of us won’t see. He can then draw on real experience to explain things clearly.

Whether or not Conte takes note remains to be seen. But those Tottenham fans listening to this will no doubt be keeping a closer eye on the strikers from now on. Neville, really, is spot on in his assessment.