NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO has told Tottenham’s derailed Eurostars to forget about the past.
A little over two years since they contested the Champions League final, Spurs take on Rennes on Thursday night in their group opener in the Europa Conference League – the continent’s new and already much-maligned third competition.
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Their top stars, like Harry Kane, might be wondering what they are doing at this level when they step out at Roazhon Park against the team currently 11th in Ligue 1.
The North Londoners’ might be trophyless since 2008 but in an era when finishing fourth is considered better than winning a cup, it is worth remembering for the previous 12 seasons they had been either in the Champions or Europa League.
But new boss Nuno said: “The past doesn’t mean big things now.
“The past doesn’t mean big things now, this is the present and we have to deal with the situation now.
“Rennes represent a tough, tough challenge for us and we have to raise up our standards.
“We have a lot of experience in Europe. But this is the present and we have to deal with it.
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“It is a realisation that this is the truth. The past doesn’t mean anything for us.
“What you did in football doesn’t mean anything, it’s what you do – you have to challenge yourself every day.
“This is not just a message for football, it’s a message for life.”
While Rennes have only won one of their five league games this season, Spurs had their 100 per cent Prem start blown apart by a 3-0 drubbing at Crystal Palace.
Injuries have prevented Son Heung-min, Eric Dier and Ryan Sessegnon from making the hop across the Channel, while South American trio Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero and Davinson Sanchez are still self-isolating in Croatia.
But Steven Bergwijn could feature after recovering from an ankle injury he picked up on international duty with the Netherlands.
Asked what he learned about his players as they were put to the sword at Palace, Nuno said:”That we need to compete better. That we must avoid and minimise mistakes. That it was a tough match and we didn’t perform well.
“And that we have to react and play better tomorrow.
“We have been spending as much time as we can on the training ground.
“Preparing the players, trying to find solutions and then giving them the support and the confidence to compete and try to improve their performances.
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“I don’t know any other recipes for success, just hard work – and the boys are doing it.
“They are realising that in football there are ups and downs and what’s important is how you react to it.”
Tottenham (predicted line-up): Gollini; Doherty, Tanganga, Rodon, Davies; Dele, Winks, Ndombele; Moura, Kane, Gil.
