Nuno Espirito Santo ordered the Tottenham fans to ignore the Premier League table after three games – even though Spurs are top and arch-rivals Arsenal are bottom.
It is the first time ever the two north London rivals have found themselves at opposite ends after Son Heung-min’s winner in his 200th Premier League appearance was enough to beat Watford 1-0.
“It doesn’t mean anything at all,” Nuno said. “I invite everybody, not only the players, but our fans – don’t pay attention to that.
“Let’s keep on working, we still have a long way and a lot of aspects to improve on.”
Spurs campaign after the international break is set to be hit by the absence of the club’s Argentinian stars.
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Premier League clubs agreed across the board not to release players to red-list countries, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino is adamant that they should play.
Tottenham feel they cannot go against the wishes of their players and both Giovanni Lo Celso and Christian Romero want to meet up with Argentina even if it means a 14-day quarantine when they return.
It could rule them out of three London Premier League derbies, with Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Arsenal next up for Tottenham.
“We have to obey the government law,” Nuno said. “We will try to do so but at the same time we don’t have any kind of help from FIFA, the government or the Premier League in support in this situation.
“We know what it means for all of the players to play for their national teams. It’s something they’re very proud of.
“We cannot stop it but we try and find the best way for so when they return we can get them sooner.
“There are ways and we as a club we are trying to provide a support for our player.”