Archie Gray may only be 19 years of age, but he was Tottenham Hotspur’s only leader in their dismal defeat to Crystal Palace.
The panic is setting in at Tottenham as the reigning Europa League champions are now staring down the barrel of relegation to the Championship.
Nine games remain for the Lilywhites to salvage their Premier League status, with the club’s leaders desperately in need of standing up and proving they still have a crumb of fight about them.
Micky van de Ven wore the captain’s armband on Thursday night, but he let his side, manager and every single Tottenham fan down by getting sent off whilst Spurs held a slender lead.
What are you doing with Igor Tudor if you are the Tottenham board after that Palace loss? 😫
On a night where Igor Tudor’s the experienced figureheads shrank, young Archie Gray showed he will not go down without a fight.
Archie Gray showed Tottenham fans he’s got some fight left in him
Gray provided Dominic Solanke with the assist for the opening goal of the game.
The midfielder’s impressive individual effort saw him break free deep inside the box before cutting the ball across to the goalscorer.
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Red card vs Crystal Palace…
Clinton Morrison questioned Gray after the North London Derby, but he was the only Tottenham player to show any fight with three precious points on the line.
Questions may still lie over what Gray’s best position, but what cannot be denied is his spirit and desire shown at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
On top of his assist, Gray provided Tottenham with four clearances, three recoveries and one blocked shot.
His efforts may not have counted for anything, but Spurs fans will recognise that the 19-year-old left it all out there on the pitch.
Micky van de Ven embarrassed by Tottenham’s Archie Gray
Van de Ven was slammed for ignoring Tudor in the defeat to Arsenal last month by Ian Wright.
The Dutchman is a player who will have suitors in the summer to offer him an escape route no matter what lies ahead for Spurs in the remaining nine games.
Although the centre-back has been one of Tottenham’s few bright sparks over recent years, the 24-year-old’s reputation is crumbling.
Tottenham fans were left furious with Van de Ven as his sending off promised the capitulation that followed.
Tottenham need their leaders to step up amid their relegation fears. Instead, Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have shrunk under the pressure.