GHENT, Belgium -- Mauricio Pochettino was at a loss to explain Tottenham's Europa League defeat to KAA Gent but he admitted his team are in a "bad period."
Jeremy Perbet's second-half goal gave the Belgian side a deserved 1-0 victory in the round-of-32 first leg, leaving Tottenham with one win in four matches.
They play the return leg at Wembley Stadium next Thursday, needing a first goal from open play since the 4-3 win against League Two Wycombe Wanderers on Jan. 28 to progress.
"That is only the first leg and the tie is open. It was an even game from the beginning.