Poyet - We must learn

Spurs coach disappointed with loss to Boro

Last updated: 16th August 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Poyet - We must learn

Poyet: Disappointed

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Gustavo Poyet admitted that Tottenham would need to improve following the 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.

Heurelho Gomes, David Bentley, Luka Modric and Giovani Dos Santos all made their debuts after arriving at the club over the summer.

However, Spurs were comprehensively outplayed as David Wheater and Mido found the target for the home side at the Riverside, before Robert Huth's late own goal.

Poyet was not pleased with the display but promised that Spurs would bounce back and go on to enjoy a successful season.

"It was a very difficult game," the Uruguayan coach told Sky Sports.

"We said at half-time that the team that scores first may win the game, and unfortunately it was the opposition.

"So I am a little bit disappointed because obviously we came to win the game.

"We had to be solid and defend well, which I think we did, but we tried to play our way.

"We want to defend the English way and then play our way, but we only did that a few times.

"It is more important how you start than how we finish, and we will learn from this, particularly the new players."

Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov only started on the substitutes' bench as speculation continues to link him with a move to Manchester United.

However, Spurs manager Juande Ramos refused to comment on reports suggesting that his departure could be imminent.

"Obviously today we have been concentrating on the game and since yesterday our minds have been on the game," he said.

"For the moment Berbatov is a Spurs player. We are happy with him, he is part of the Spurs squad and there is nothing to say about it, I don't have any comment to make on it.

Ramos added: "We actually opted for Giovani (dos Santos) because we thought that his speed would be something that would trouble Middlesbrough.

"However, as Middlesbrough tired in the game we thought it might be the right moment in the game to throw on Berbatov."

Asked if he wanted Berbatov to stay, he replied: "Of course, I love great players."