Jose Mourinho has moved to explain why he chose not to play Belgian defenders Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in Tottenham's defeat against Wolves.
The duo were left on the bench for the game in north London, with Eric Dier brought into a back three alongside Davinson Sanchez and Japhet Tanganga.
It was a move that surprised some fans , and after Tottenham lost the game 3-2 after second half goals from Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez, Mourinho was asked about his decision.
But speaking in his post-match press conference , the Portuguese head coach said he was surprised about the question.
"Eric [Dier] played very well. I think Eric played very well. So I think if Eric’s performance was not as good I would understand the question but I think it was very good," he said.
"The thinking was simple, the thinking was Davinson [Sanchez] and [Japhet] Tanganga are the two fastest central defenders that we have.
"Eric is the one who by nature is a midfield player so playing in the middle between those centre backs is the one who is normally more comfortable to step up, he's more comfortable with reading the game and passing.
"So it was a mixture of giving security but at the same time keeping fast people at the back. I think they played well, especially Eric was very, very good and sometimes you concede goals and you blame goalkeepers and defenders. Other times you concede goals and it is a global situation and I think it was when it comes from a transition. Sometimes when it comes from behind midfield I think it's not about them."
Spurs took the lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Steven Bergwijn netting the opening goal after just 13 minutes.
Wolves pegged them back via a goal from Matt Doherty after 27 minutes, but a stunning strike from Serge Aurier restored Tottenham's lead just before half time.
However, Wolves fought back in the second half and claimed all three points courtesy of goals from Jota and Jimenez.
