Spurs 2-2 Brighton | Every word of Roberto De Zerbi's post-match press conference

Here's what he had to say...

Roberto, your first point as Tottenham manager, but did that feel like a defeat?

Roberto: "Yeah, yes, because we played a good game. Brighton is a very good team. In this moment, they are playing very well, but I think we deserve to win the game, especially if you consider we conceded a goal in extra time when losing one ball in our possession. Anyway, I'm very proud for the performance of my players. I'm very proud because they gave, all of them, their best, with the right mentality, with the right blood, with the right character. We played well with the ball. We played maybe better in the first half without the ball, because in the second half we suffered too much with the ball possession, but in the first half, we regained a lot of ball. When we scored with Pedro Porro, we regained the ball very high, and I'm disappointed just for the result, for my players and for the fans, because it was an incredible atmosphere today. In a very tough situation, a very difficult moment, but the stadium was great, It was amazing."

Before the game you said you wanted Xavi Simons to score more, to assist more - he did both - how impressed were you with him?

Roberto: "He played very well, a great game. I think he can play better and better, because a player like this, he needs to feel confidence from the manager, and I stay here to transfer all the confidence he needs, because I was a player, I was number 10, and I think I know what he thinks, because I thought the same when I was a player. I think I'm lucky to have this player on my team, but also he's lucky because with number 10, I can understand better than other coaches."

Both of the goals you conceded were in extra time of the half - does that show an anxiety the players have?

Roberto: "I don't know. I didn't think like this. The first goal of Mitoma was incredible. The second goal, the ball possession was for us, because Danso - he played another fantastic game - but the ball was with Danso, he lost the ball and then we conceded a goal. I prefer to make mistakes with the personality to play, than to concede a goal without personality, without courage. Now we need courage, now we need to win the game and to win the game, we have to be positive and to play football with the ball and not stay just to defend with 11 players and go in counter-attack."

Do you feel more confident now?

Roberto: "Yes, I always thought and believed in the quality of the players. They played a good game, I think we can play better than today with much more quality and more calm, especially when we are in possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude and this mentality. It is not finished yet. We have another five games. It is tough. Every one of us knows it is a tough moment, a difficult situation, but we have another five games and 15 points. This team is able to win five games in a row. Now, it is difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players and analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant, because I am not arrogant, especially now, but we have the qualities enough to fight and win games in a row."

How do you lift the players - they looked distraught at the end...

Roberto: "No, no. They have to follow me and listen to me. I am proud of their performance. They have to be stronger, focused and come to training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile otherwise they go home. I have no time to see negative people or to see sad players or sad assistants. No. We are lucky because we are working at a big club, a big stadium, we are working in Premier League and we have the qualities, the right qualities to win the game, so we have to be positive. I don’t like the people who cry and who thinks in negative way."

Is that the way you want see the team play from now on?

Roberto: “Yes, absolutely. They have to play like this and have to play showing what they are able to do on the pitch - enjoy with the ball, enjoy when they come to the training ground and to feel in confidence. I have to be good to transfer what I think and what I believe in my players because it is the truth and to prepare game by game."