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Mousa Dembele questions Tottenham Hotspur motivation

Dembele questions Spurs motivation
© PA Photos
Mousa Dembele says that Tottenham Hotspur found it difficult to motivate themselves before their FA Cup defeat to Leeds United.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Mousa Dembele has questioned his side's desire after they were knocked out of the FA Cup at the hands of Leeds United on Sunday.

The Premier League side were beaten 2-1 by the Championship side at Elland Road in the fourth round of the competition.

Dembele, who came on as a second-half substitute during the match, admits that Spurs found it difficult to motivate themselves against lower-league opposition.

"I think that is the most difficult thing in football to try and think like every day you are playing against Manchester United," he said. "To motivate yourself to play good against Manchester United is very easy, you don't have to do anything.

"But against teams like this it is more difficult because you have something to lose and they have everything to win. That is the most difficult thing in football.

"I think you have to give extra energy to motivate yourself and so maybe that was a bit of a problem."

Spurs travel to Norwich City on Wednesday.

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas on the touchline on December 9, 2012
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