Nuno Espirito Santo bemoans Tottenham blowing ‘feel-good factor’ after defeat at Pacos de Ferreira

Nuno Espirito Santo admitted Tottenham have lost some of their ‘feel-good factor’ after their shock defeat at Pacos de Ferreira in the Europa Conference League.

Spurs came into their first clash in Europe this season off the back of a superb opening Premier League victory over Manchester City, but were left stunned in Portugal and must now turn the play-off tie around at home.

Despite fielding a heavily-rotated team, Nuno pulled no punches in his post-match analysis, conceding the performance was disappointing and that there is still work to be done to get his players back up to full fitness.

Spurs were made to suffer a shock loss by Pacos de Ferreira after Lucas Silva’s (R) neat finish

He also conceded his preparations for this weekend’s trip his former club Wolves may have taken a blow, saying: ‘Of course it impacts a lot. Nobody likes to lose a game or not play good. The feel-good factor disappears.

‘This is football. It is up and down but they have to bounce back. This is what we are going to do. We are going to work tomorrow to prepare for the next one. 

‘The good part of football is that it gives you the chance immediately and we have a chance on Sunday.’

None of the players who started against City travelled with Spurs’ group, and were instead forced to watch on as Lucas Silva handed the minnows a memorable win with the only goal of the game on the stroke of half-time. 

Summer signings Cristian Romero (left) and Bryan Gil (right) were handed their full debuts

Pierluigi Gollini, Cristian Romero and Bryan Gil – all summer signings – were handed their full debuts, while youngsters Dane Scarlett and Nile John also started. However, it was the more seasoned faces who failed to deliver.

‘Not good, not good. First half we lost too many passes – and the goal came from that, we were imbalanced,’ Nuno added. ‘But not a good performance, honestly not a good performance.

‘Of course, players coming back, players that require minutes, the decision was basically trying to give them minutes.

Spurs’ more seasoned players like Harry Winks (above) failed to deliver while several stars were given their full debuts

‘We need players to get minutes in their legs and increase their levels of fitness. But of course things take some time, it was not so good.

‘But individually some players put in good situations, did the things that we want to build on.

‘But as a team we were not organised enough and did not play the ball fast enough to break a team that was really compact and did not allow many spaces.’

Harry Kane was among those left at home as he works back following his extended summer break, and Nuno was coy when questioned about him. The £150million-rated striker remains desperate to join Manchester City. 

Nuno was coy about Harry Kane’s future with the striker still desperate to join Manchester City

Nuno said: ‘He trained today. He trained with the group of players that stayed in England.

‘He trained well and he is going to train tomorrow and when we return he will join all the players and work as a group and Harry in it.’

The second leg of the tie takes place on August 26 and Spurs will need to clinch victory in north London to avoid another chastening early knockout.