Dimitar Berbatov insists Tottenham Hotspur’s inconsistency will be driving boss Antonio Conte crazy, as he is a serial winner.
Spurs have won three out of their last four Premier League fixtures, including a 3-2 win over leaders Manchester City and picking up huge wins over both Leeds United and Everton.
But it is the lack of consistency that is killing the north London outfit as sandwiched in between those impressive wins was a 1-0 FA Cup exit to Championship side Middlesbrough and a league defeat to Burnley.
The former Chelsea boss appeared to question his ability to take the Lilywhites forward after the defeat to Burnley but has since picked up back-to-back win in the league.
Betfair Ambassador, Dimitar Berbatov, said: ‘You probably saw Antonio Conte’s interview when they lost to Burnley, this is where I strongly agree with him, when you’re not familiar with inconsistency it can drive you crazy.
‘It drives me crazy when I watch Spurs sometimes. I bet Antonio Conte is familiar now with what is happening, he is a winner, his reputation is so great.
‘He’s Italian and more emotional, so sometimes it relates to interviews like this where he’s very honest.
‘On the other hand, Spurs can produce great results, last game a 5-0 win over Everton is a prime example. They played great football as well.
‘They have the ability to be great, just that consistency they need to find, and get the points where they need it.
‘If not you beat City, but then lose the next game against Burnley, it makes no point that you beat City.’
A clash with the Red Devils should show if the Italian has finally found the formula to get Tottenham back in contention for a place in the Champions League.
‘I hope, but I don’t want to say a big word here, as in the past we have praised Spurs about their performances, but then in the next game. Bam, nothing!
‘They need to be consistent and be that team that is nasty when they need to be nasty and get the points, it doesn’t matter how they need to play.
‘I know for sure that Conte is making them train hard because I played Claudio Ranieri (at Monaco), who is Italian and I know how they like to work really hard in training sessions. I know they’re working hard to cover the mistakes they’ve made in the past.
‘Let’s hope that 5-0 beating of Everton is going to be continued against United, so it can help them chase the top four.’
It has been questioned whether Conte will stay at Spurs if the club fail to back him in the transfer window, which Berbatov has also raised as a concern.
They did sign Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski during the January transfer window while seeing a clear-out of unwanted stars including Dele Alli, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovanni Lo Celso.
‘The question is are they going to back him? Are they going to release enough money for him to buy players.
‘We’ve already seen two Italian players come into the league in the winter, but this was a familiar buy, going where you know players. Safe bets that they can do something for you.
‘I want to now see in the summer, when Conte knows who can do the job for him, and who doesn’t. Who is going to be sold and who he is going to bring into that team to fit his philosophy.
‘It’s easier to bring your philosophy to the pitch when you have the right players, when you don’t have the right players, it’s more difficult.’