Ange Postecoglou has reaffirmed his desire for Tottenham to stay true to their style of play ahead of Saturday's encounter with West Ham.
Spurs are looking for a positive response after falling to a 3-2 defeat against Brighton before the international break.
"You can't just dismiss what happened in the first half because of what happened in the second half. It would be different if it was a really poor performance all-round.
"The question is why we were so good in the first half and so poor in the second half. And the second was more around [that] we just didn't look anything like ourselves.
"We were really passive, with and without the ball. We lacked conviction and courage in anything we did. It's almost like we felt like we'd had enough and I hadn't seen that before in us."
Though with nearly a fortnight to mull over it, Postecoglou asserted it could be a valuable learning curve for his side.
"It's a good lesson for the whole group. You have to make sure that, irrespective of how a game is going, you stick to the core principles of your football. It's a timely reminder for us that when you don't [finish a game off] it's very easy for momentum to shift."
Team news
Besides Wilson Odobert's lengthy absence, there are limited injury worries for Postecoglou. Heung-min Son in back after missing the last two games. Richarlison, who has not featured since the victory over Everton in August, is also back in contention.
"Sonny is good ... he's had a solid week and looking to get back out there.
"We’ve taken our time with Richy and we have taken time to build his fitness base up. He has worked hard, trimmed down and looks lean now. He's good to go now."
There was slight concern for Lucas Bergvall, who had to sit out Sweden's Nations League after picking up an injury during the international break, but Postecoglou brushed aside the issue.
"Lucas Bergvall picked up a knock but trained this morning and there are no problems."
Postecoglou also gave the green light for Cristian Romero, Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, who all undertook long journeys to represent Argentina, Senegal and Mali respectively.
"They are all good and reported well. We've got the early kick-off, so that's a quick turnaround but we trained this morning and they were all fine."
Facing West Ham
Postecoglou's record against West Ham has not been far from smooth since he landed in north London, having lost 2-1 at home and drawn 1-1 away last season despite taking early leads.
"I was made very aware of it last year. I know what it means. An important game. Last year we played really well but didn’t win at home. Tale of that part of our season a little bit. Challenging game.
"They have some fantastic players in the team and a new manager. They are doing things a little bit differently. We saw last game what a threat they can be going forward. A good challenge for us.
"But the emphasis has to be on us reproducing the form we’ve shown in recent times and more importantly sticking to principles of our game."
As the Irons begin a transition from David Moyes' more counter-attacking style to Julen Lopetegui's desire to control possession, Postecoglou was asked whether taking on this new look West Ham would be better for Tottenham.
"It is a different approach but most of the personnel is still there from when you look at last year and the line ups they’ve had the last two or three weeks."
"There isn’t a style that suits us or doesn’t suit us. When we play well we can play well against most systems and styles as we’ve shown. And if we don’t stick to our principles we can struggle against anybody. More important for us is how we approach things."
Djed Spence's new contract
It was announced on Wednesday that full-back Djed Spence signed a contract extension until 2028.
The 24-year-old has had a tricky journey to the first-team since joining from Middlesbrough two years ago, being loaned out to Rennes, Leeds United and Genoa along the way.
This season, however, Spence has become more of a fixture in Postecoglou's plans, making four appearances so far - only two games shy of his first two seasons combined.
"I said a couple of days ago and consistently say, most of a players future is in their own hands. They're as much in control as anyone else. I think sometimes footballers forget that.
"With Djed, it could have been easy for to go out on loan again. But when he came into pre-season, he was determined to make a career for himself here at Tottenham rather than wait to be loaned out.
"He did everything right in training, his attitude was great. He's a good footballer, I think the way we play suits him and he's knuckled down to that. And he's earned himself a spot on the roster in our squad. The rest is up to him again."
Thomas Tuchel and international management
Having led his own nation of Australia for five years, Postecoglou knows more than most about the trials and tribulations of international football.
With the news of Thomas Tuchel being appointed England manager, he was asked whether there is more scrutiny given to those in national team roles.
"I get there is a lot more scrutiny in the England national team's manager role absolutely, probably more than any other role in the football universe I'd say. It's funny how there is this clamour for an English manager but I'm not sure you guys have treated English managers really kindly in the past.
"It's not like they get extra support by being English and managing their national team just looking at the history and again I'm looking at it from afar.
"Whenever an Englishman does take this role, and I certainly felt it as manager of Australia, there is a greater weight on your shoulders because it is your nation and you're always going to live there. It's not like sometimes with the foreigners that they can do the job and it's not going great they can go back and live where they live and they don't have to deal with it on a day-to-day basis.
"There is a greater weight of responsibility when it is your own national team and I really believe that, in particular the England national team.
"It is something that the people who make these appointments are wary of, it's not just about coaching and it's how you deal with all these other things that are attached to the England national team job. Sometimes the foreign coaches don't have to deal with it as much as an English manager would.
Tuchel has won multiple trophies at club level, with Borussia Dortmund, PSG and Bayern Munich, as well as leading Chelsea to their most recent Champions League triumph.
"There is a real challenge there but like I said they've got an outstanding manager in Thomas and I think the key thing irrespective is that they have a fantastic generation of players coming through. I'd be excited if I was an England football supporter.
Postecoglou did not dismiss the prospect of one day returning to international management himself, though he recollected his pining for the regularity of being at a club.
"From my perspective I enjoyed international football, but I felt by the end of it I was really keen to get back into the day-to-day of club football.
"I wouldn’t coach the Australian national team again because I have kind of done that. It is a different role, there is greater responsibility, there is a whole nation’s expectations around the position and you feel that but [it is] hugely enjoyable as well."