Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has said he accepted the risk of making nine changes for Thursday's Europa League defeat at Royal Antwerp because he trusts his players.
Lior Refaelov's first-half goal condemned Spurs to their first loss in eleven matches in all competitions, with Mourinho responding at half-time by making no less than four changes.
Son Heung-Min, Erik Lamela, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Lucas Moura were all introduced at the interval as Spurs chased a good result, but it wasn't to be as the hosts held on to take victory.
After the final whistle, Mourinho told BT Sport that despite the poor result, his players are motivated but they need to work on the ways they channel their motivation into performing well on the pitch.
He also acknowledged the risks posed by making so many changes to the starting lineup, but explained that he trusts his Spurs players to give their best efforts regardless.
“I have lots of good players, and the question here: is everyone motivated?," he said.
"Everyone wants to give everything for every minute they’re on the pitch, showing frustration by not playing every match, but showing that in the right way and showing it in the right way is to perform on the pitch every minute you are there.
"Catch it with both hands and try to perform, so you could say it’s a risk to change so many players, I accept the risk because I trust the players and the squad.
"We are trying to play in a certain style, but it’s not always possible to do because our opponents can also relate to that.”
The result sees Antwerp take the lead of Group J, with Spurs now second and level on points with last week's opponents LASK.
Tottenham return to Premier League action on Sunday evening as they welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to North London, before their third Europa League test at Ludogorets next Thursday.
