Is Antonio Conte breaking Tottenham, or are Spurs breaking him?

We asked our top team of writers for their verdicts and a mark out of ten on Antonio Conte's start to his career at Tottenham. Here are their views:

Aaron Ashley: How quickly opinions can change in football. Three Premier League defeats on the spin and suddenly the pressure is on with a trip to Manchester City next up.

However, before that Spurs had gone nine league games unbeaten following Antonio Conte’s arrival. They are still in the thick of the top-four battle and are also in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Reinforcements are needed, particularly in defence, if his favoured 3-4-3 system is going to work, but given Conte’s previous success it would be foolish not to invest both time and money in him as manager.

6/10

Steve Davies: Given what Antonio Conte inherited at Tottenham, which was fairly uninspiring, and given that they haven't obviously gone backwards, he's done okay but nothing more.

Conte will doubtless accept blame for the odd baffling selection decision and the occasional formation faux-pas, but the bottom line is that the squad at his disposal is neither deep nor decent and is crying out to be refurbished from top to bottom.

The summer can't come soon enough and only after that should the manager be judged. 5/10

Liam Flin: Antonio Conte is just over three months into his Spurs tenure and has the club in the fifth round of the FA Cup and in the mix for the top four.

With a bang average squad, Tottenham fans couldn't expect much more than that right now.

But the club's activity in January suggests they are working hard to rebuild the squad and Conte is undoubtedly the man to get the best out of the new talent that comes in.

7/10

James Milton: It has been a chaotic time at Tottenham since they reached the Champions League final in 2019, with four different managers - as well as the Ryan Mason interregnum at the end of last season - and the Harry Kane transfer saga in the summer.

Conte's appointment was a major coup for Spurs but he clearly feels a significant overhaul of the squad is required. Considering his outstanding managerial record, he deserves to be given the time and money to mould his own team. 6/10

Chris Rivers: A run of three straight league defeats has wiped away the shine from what has otherwise been a solid beginning to the Conte era. Spurs are still in the hunt for a top-four finish and the FA Cup and success in either would do wonders in the battle to keep Harry Kane, which was no doubt boosted by Conte’s appointment.

The Italian might receive criticism for putting square pegs in round holes in his preferred 3-4-3 formation but sticking to his guns will benefit those players who survive the much-needed summer cull.

6/10