Former Premier League boss Owen Coyle believes Tottenham Hotspur are in the midst of worrying times after they were knocked out of the EFL Cup by Colchester United on penalties. 

The Champions League finalists from last season found themselves up against it at Colchester as the League Two outfit worked hard to frustrate them.

 



Tottenham could find no way through in the 90 minutes and were forced to penalties by Colchester, which they then lost.

Both Christian Eriksen and Lucas Moura missed their spot-kicks for Tottenham as Colchester claimed a 4-3 win on penalties to advance to the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

 


And on the back of a league defeat at Leicester City, former Burnley boss Coyle believes it is worrying times for Tottenham, who will want silverware this year.


 


Coyle, reacting to the result, said on BBC Radio 5 live: "It has been a horrible week for Tottenham. They are Champions League finalists and would have expected to win a trophy this season – there's one they can't straight away.

"It's worrying times."

 

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Coyle insists Tottenham need to find a way to start winning games, and quickly, and believes the players must take the blame for letting manager Mauricio Pochettino down.

"Spurs are already 10 points adrift in the league and so that is a huge ask, then they ask can we win a trophy? This one has gone now.

"I do think they have to find a way to win games quickly. Mauricio Pochettino is a wonderful manager but a lot of those players have to stand up and take accountability", the Scot added.

Tottenham made a host of changes to their side for the meeting with Colchester and will now look to bounce back against Southampton this weekend.