Mauricio Pochettino appeared to blame Kieran Trippier after Tottenham nearly conceded a three-goal lead at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Spurs took a 3-0 lead at Molyneux thanks to goals from Erik Lamela, Lucas Moura and Harry Kane, putting them in a commanding position with 20 minutes remaining.
But Juan Foyth, making his Premier League debut, gave away two penalties thus handing the hosts a way back into the game.
The youngster was unfortunate and in reality Trippier was more to blame for conceding the spot-kicks.
The 28-year-old tried to nutmeg a Wolves player in a dangerous position, giving the ball away for the first penalty.
He also lost possession sloppily in the build up to the second spot-kick and failed to get back into position to help Foyth.
Pochettino was seen ranting to his assistants following the incidents, and after the game he appeared to blame Trippier.
“The disappointment is massive to concede two cheap actions like we conceded. I don’t talk about the action of the penalty – we need to go a little bit before,” said the Tottenham boss (via ESPN).
“You are going to see or have the answer. We provide [Kieran] with the platform to go forward because we create the system and dynamic to put him in the best position to play. In a different situation, I think he is a full-back, not a winger.
“It’s like no different full-back in the world. When you are in possession and go forward, you need to be strong too when you are in a defensive situation. We always compensate.
“If you watch the game, Moussa Sissoko compensates that situation. If we put a player high, it is because in behind we have compensated the situation to give the time to go back.
“Kieran needs to improve in the defensive situation because in the last few games you have seen that we conceded a few actions. But like him, all the players need to improve in the defensive situation.
“We need to be more aggressive. Against Barcelona, Manchester City and now, we conceded very poor goals. For me, football is about when you don’t have the ball.
“The great teams like Manchester City, who won the Premier League last season, or Barcelona or Real Madrid, when they don’t have the ball they fight like the most humble player.
“That is the balance which is important to generate or create in a team if you want to be close to winning titles.”
Trippier has really struggled defensively this season and it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see Serge Aurier start at right-back against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night.
In fairness to Trippier, he did provide the excellent cross for Moura’s goal.
