How Tottenham Hotspur became ‘worst team’ in Premier League as relegation fears grow

How Tottenham Hotspur became ‘worst team’ in Premier League as relegation fears grow - ‘Lack of quality and characters’

Peter Crouch believes Tottenham Hotspur are the worst team in the Premier League on current form. Igor Tudor oversaw a third straight loss at the start of his tenure as interim head coach as Crystal Palace won 3-1 on Thursday. The defeat leaves Spurs 16th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone and still searching for their first league win of 2026, while Palace climb to 13th.

Peter Crouch believes that Tottenham Hotspur are currently the worst team in the Premier League after Thursday's 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace deepened fears of a first relegation from the top flight since 1977.

Crystal Palace struck three times in a devastating spell before half-time to stun the hosts in north London, who ultimately played more than half the match with 10 men and have now gone 11 league games without a win.

The home side had taken the lead in the 34th minute, when Dominic Solanke finished from close range. But the contest turned dramatically four minutes later as Micky van de Ven was sent off while conceding a penalty.

Ismaila Sarr converted the spot-kick and Palace quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage, with Jorgen Strand Larsen nudging them in front before Sarr sealed a second straight win at Tottenham for the first time.

When asked if Spurs are the worst team in the Premier League on current form, Crouch told TNT Sports: "Since Christmas, it's proven that that is the case. So, yes, is the honest answer. Wolves have picked up a little bit, and there's certain teams around, West Ham and Nottingham Forest for example, who are picking up points.

"Spurs at the moment, form-wise, without a doubt are the worst in the league. Considering where they've been, what they've built... the problem is, looking around the pitch tonight, Palace are a better side for me, even before the red card.

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"There's not many players that I take from Tottenham's team and put in Palace's. I genuinely think they're a better side - and that goes down to recruitment.

"It's been poor for a few windows, now. Ange Postecoglou talked about the players he wanted to bring in and what they did bring in. That's no slight on Solanke and Archie Gray and the young players that they brought in at that time.

"They're good players. But the players of the calibre he was talking about have not been brought to the club. Unfortunately, if you have a couple of bad windows and Spurs have had more than that, you end up in a position that you're in now.

"I look around the pitch now and there's a distinct lack of quality and there's a lack of characters. That combination is one that ultimately can get you relegated."

The defeat leaves Spurs 16th in the table, just one point above the relegation zone and still searching for their first league win of 2026, while Palace climb to 13th.

In going down to a third straight loss under Igor Tudor, Spurs have conceded two or more goals in nine successive league matches for the first time in their history.

Reflecting on the mood inside the stadium at the final whistle, Joe Cole observed: "It looks like disenchantment. They've changed so much at this club, and they're in this position. In the second half, the players did turn up - and that's got to be the absolute minimum from now until the end of the season, if this club is to stay in the Premier League.

"But it's just disillusion and disbelief. If you flirt with relegation, and you don't do the basics right, it will suck you in. The Premier League is ruthless.

"If they thought that there was any chance that they could win tonight, and they would just be possibly just above it, they're right in the mix now, there's no doubt about that. We've got to give Palace their flowers as well. They turned up today in the first half and were absolutely brilliant.

"These fans pay their good money to turn up. What they want is a commitment, desire, passion that match them. When they don't feel like they get that, it's a horrible place to be."

Tudor: I believe more than I did before this game

Tottenham have taken just four points in the Premier League since the turn of the year, fewer than any other team. They are still awaiting their first win in 2026, last victorious when they beat Palace at the end of December at Selhurst Park.

Spurs have not endured a similar winless run in league football since 1935, when they began the calendar year with 11 matches without a victory to their name. They are now just four games shy of that record.

But Tudor was in defiant mood, telling TNT Sports: "It was two games. After the red card, it was a second game. The second half we tried and I saw interesting things but I'm very disappointed, like the fans.

"We need to work hard and believe. After this game, I believe more than I did before. I know that sounds strange but I saw something in the team. Even in the dressing room after the game. When we are complete, and choose the right guys, I believe it will be good.

"I saw some good energy, some wish to do, some more passion. The fight was there but, unfortunately, the red card changed the game. There are nine games to play. [Cristian] Romero is coming back, [Kevin] Danso was good today, [Pedro] Porro is totally different, maybe others will come back. We will be good when we are complete.

"We need to stop talking about pressure. This is not a topic to speak about. I will not speak to anymore about pressure."

In his post-match press conference, Tudor added: "The boat is going in the direction I need it to go. Who is in the boat can stay, the others can leave the boat. It sounds strange but I believe more after this game than I did before. I saw something."

Predecessor Thomas Frank had previously described the club as a "supertanker" that was in need of turning.

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