Cristian Romero promised to put 200 per cent into Tottenham’s seven remaining “finals” in order to avoid a seismic Premier League exit.
Tottenham dragged deeper into relegation scrap by Forest
Spurs’ survival hopes took an almighty hit after they suffered a demoralising 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest on Sunday to drop to 17th in the table and increase the possibility of a first relegation since 1977.
Tottenham’s winless run in the Premier League stands at 13 matches and despite fans flooding the streets in N17 to give the team bus a raucous welcome into the stadium, the pre-match optimism was swapped for a sense of inevitability after another abject defeat.
“It’s a difficult day for everyone, but the first thing is to speak about the fans. Thank you for today and always staying with us,” Romero said.
“They gave us fantastic support, but about us, it’s a bad day. Now it is finished and the most important thing is to understand the situation.
“It’s not easy but the most important thing is to get to national team and back here for the last seven finals.
“I promise (to) put 200 per cent in every one and for me it is not easy, but we have to stay all together. It’s a bad day yeah, but we will go again.”
Much-needed momentum for Spurs had been built by a spirited point at Liverpool and a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid to increase belief that a first league victory of 2026 was on the horizon versus relegation-rivals Forest.
An estimated 10,000 Tottenham fans spilled onto High Road to create a partisan atmosphere ahead of kick-off, which filtered into the ground and was followed by an initially-positive first half.
Richarlison headed one chance wide, Forest forward Igor Jesus diverted a header onto his own crossbar, but Jesus delivered a stoppage-time sucker-punch before half-time and even though Mathys Tel responded with a curled effort against the crossbar, Spurs collapsed after the break.
A double change by Igor Tudor did not help, but too many home players switched off for Morgan Gibbs-White’s second after 62 minutes before Taiwo Awoniyi’s 87th-minute goal wrapped up a vital win for Forest to spark a mass exodus before full-time.
Romero told SpursPlay: “Start of the game and also the first 45 minutes is like good, good in the pitch, not concede nothing and then the last minute, concede a really sloppy goal, but now it’s finished.”
Tottenham’s 10th home league loss of the campaign wiped out some of the goodwill ahead of kick-off, but more plans by fan groups are set to be in place for the next home fixture in N17 against Brighton on April 18.
“It’s incredible and especially in this moment, after this season is no good. Honestly me (I’m) the first to take responsibility, but the fans thank you,” captain Romero added.
“Thank you every game, the support is brilliant and it’s only (now) about the players, the staff and we need (to give) more, especially me the first, but the last seven finals we will go again.”
Tottenham considering "perfect opportunity" to replace Tudor
According to Football Insider, Tudor is now facing the sack over the international break, with Spurs chiefs 'accelerating plans' to replace the Croatian.
The original plan was to let the 47 year-old hold on until the end of the season and then replace him this summer, but journalist Pete O'Rourke says the club see the two-week break as the 'perfect opportunity' to get an immediate replacement in.
“For Tudor right now, it’s game by game for him and Tottenham. The speculation over his future isn’t going to go away.
“Things didn’t go well for Tudor and Tottenham on Sunday, so that pressure will just ramp up even more.
“Obviously now you have an international break, it would be the perfect opportunity and give time for Spurs to make a change if they wanted."
Tottenham travel to Sunderland after the international break, who will be full of confidence after their dramatic comeback win in the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle.