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Tottenham Hotspur striker Dominic Solanke has endured some dreadful injury luck in the 2025/26 Premier League season, because after missing months with a foot injury that kept on getting aggravated despite surgery, Solanke's had to still miss more time in recent weeks with a throat infection and now some more nagging issues.

In between, Solanke has been very good when on the pitch, memorably destroying Borussia Dortmund in his first real game back from injury. He has cooled off a bit since, but a lot of that was the injury issues talking.

Solanke was not able to play in the most recent Tottenham victory, a somewhat meaningless but morally boosting 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League. But after being held out for some more rest, Solanke is ready for an even bigger game.

Dominic Solanke is ready for Nottingham Forest

Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor informed fans, via The Spurs Web, that he thinks Dominic Solanke will be fit and ready to face Nottingham Forest this weekend in the Premier League. Spurs are only a couple of points ahead of Forest after drawing Liverpool last weekend, so this is, for all intents and purposes, a full on relegation six pointer for Tottenham and their biggest must win matchup of the 2025/26 Premier League season to date.

It is such a big game that Spurs fans were even looking past Atletico Madrid with eyes on Nottingham Forest. Solanke has not been as decisive in recent games and famous relegation fighter Richarlison has suddenly become more important, but every Spurs fan knows that on quality, especially in all around ability, Solanke is the best striker Tottenham have.

Even with Richarlison out there, Spurs are going to need Solanke to be healthy and at his best, so it is obviously excellent news that Tudor thinks he is going to be ready this weekend. His frame, hold up play, and creativity will be very, very important against a scrappy Forest defense that has some of the best defensive players in the Premier League, especially Big Six transfer target Murillo.

The 28 year old Tottenham No. 9 last played in a Premier League fixture for Spurs last weekend against Liverpool, getting a full 90 minutes while showing some nice all around play in terms of opening up chances for others. Tottenham are going to need that and more consistency in front of goal from a player who has scored in just two Premier League fixtures this season.

Tottenham Hotspur did not advance in the Champions League Round of 16, but they did save face, winning the second leg againt Spanish giants Atletico Madrid 3-2 even though they clearly had their eyes peeled to this weekend's vital Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest in the thick of the relegation battle.

So many of Spurs young stars showed up to play and were given the full opportunity from manager Igor Tudor to shine, but perhaps no player has continued to increase his own personal stock more than center midfielder Archie Gray.

The 20 year old is clearly the future of this midfield, and he shone brightly in all phases against one of the stingiest and most compact midfields in European football. Gray had his way with them as a playmaker and progressor, creating two chances with two dribbles completed while providing an assist in another gutsy display.

Archie Gray was brilliant vs. Atletico Madrid

Gray is beyond his years of age, and the U21 talent was keeping the passing game ticking with wonderful accuracy and a brave style of play that ensured Spurs were really driving the ball forward in possession in a game in which the truly had nothing to lose.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters are, of course, not surprised in the least that Gray had a standout display in the middle of the park for this team. Even when Spurs have been terrible, like against Crystal Palace in a recent 3-1 loss in the Premier League, and have had their heads down, Gray has been a young leader with his head raised high and producing beautifully for his team offensively and defensively.

While Spurs still have serious issues to sort out in their squad, including the midfield, Archie Gray is one big time solution who actually keeps proving at the end of the 2025/26 campaign that he is ready for even more clout and responsibility in this squad. Gray has future captain written all over him, and you can see why the elite clubs like Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are ogling him as a dream summer 2026 transfer target.

Well, Tottenham fans know that their beloved club had better hold onto the former Leeds United gem at all costs. Gray was one of those cases of Spurs getting a young signing spot on, and maybe they did not even anticipate him being this good at the end of year two. Now, keep him in the midfield, please.

It could only have been Richarlison to sink the hearts of his old rivals Liverpool with a last gasp, game tying goal to give Tottenham Hotspur a vital point in the relegation fight. The goal was a long time coming for both Richy and Spurs, as the former Everton star had squandered quite a few good chances before finally burying one in the back of the net.

Over the past few weeks, Richarlison has been the best and by far the most active striker on the team, whlie Randal Kolo Muani has been as uneven as ever and Dominic Solanke's very brief purple patch has already been rendered forgotten.

Richarlison, for all his flaws, is the one guy you want more than anyone else because he will fight to the death for your team when survival is on the line. And he is more than earning that reputation already this season for Spurs.

Richarlison did not make the Brazil squad

As if Richy needed any more reasons to play with a fire and a real chip on his shoulder, Brazil national team manager Carlo Ancelotti just gave him some additional motivation. His former coach for both Brazil and even Everton back in the day, Richy and Carletto have a close relationship, but that did not stop the former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager from snubbing him.

Ancelotti released his official squad for the Brazil national team at the March international break, and Richarlison was nowhere near it. Young rising talents Endrick, Rayan, and Luiz Henrique were among those who made it on the squad over him. And honestly, it is deserved, as Richy, who was at the last World Cup, is not showing the quality of a Brazil national team forward this season. He was not the biggest snub in the team - Neymar was - but Richy being left off by Carlo is still a big deal.

So that is extra motivation for Richarlison to step his game up in these final months of the 2025/26 Premier League season. He does not have much time to turn things around and earn a spot back in the squad before the World Cup, but you had better believe that is as much of a prime motivation for Richarlison as saving Spurs is. Any little bit Spurs can get to push their players helps, and maybe Spurs will get to see the best version of Richy as the games get more dire.

Tottenham Hotspur showed a lot more fight on Sunday against Liverpool than in any of their previous several matches, earning a 1-1 draw with a furious effort in the final minutes of the game, getting the decisive goal from who else but the Reds No. 1 enemy, Richarlison.

But the win had nothing to do with Igor Tudor, who continued to make basic managerial blunders. He started Souza, a left footed left back, on the right wing and Djed Spence, a right footed right back, at left back. And he was going to start Conor Gallagher above Pape Matar Sarr, only for his supposed master plan to mercifully be blown up in flames by the veteran midfielder's fever, allowing Sarr to step in and shine in his stead.

Tottenham fans are beyond fed up with Tudor, who basically turned himself into a lame duck interim manager, if such a thing is possible, by the way he treated Antonin Kinsky in the loss to Atletico Madrid. Spurs have been worse off for Tudor in the dugout, and yet this tie against Liverpool has saved his job.

Igor Tudor has bought himself 2 more games

Because according to a report from Tom Allnut of the Sunday Times, Igor Tudor is going to remain the Tottenham Hotspur manager this week through the next two games against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Although Atleti are the bigger club, the Forest game at the weekend is much more important for Tudor to win. Spurs are barely ahead of Ange Postecoglou's second Premier League club in the table, as they are in a very tight relegation battle with them and rivals West Ham United. So Spurs cannot afford to lose, otherwise they will be dumped into the relegation spots, in all likelihood. Meanwhile, Atleti already blew Spurs out in the first leg of the Champions League in Spain, making a comeback nearly impossible.

Spurs will dream, though, while Tudor will be coaching for his job and for his reputation. He has never lasted long in one spot, so getting Spurs relegated is a great way for him to tank his value internationally. At this point, Tottenham cannot even contemplate failure, because the consequences are far too grave.

Johan Lange and Vinai Venkatesham do not want to admit defeat on Tudor and make their jobs look even worse. Tudor has bought himself two more important games in the manager's chair by drawing Liverpool, but for many Tottenham fans, Tudor is already done and dusted.

Tottenham Hotspur have edged a point closer to safety. On Sunday, against all odds, Spurs picked up a first point under Igor Tudor, holding Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield. Despite falling behind courtesy of a trademark Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, Guglielmo Vicario should have done better, Richarlison's goal in the final minute of the 90 pinched a point in front of the Kop.

With West Ham and Nottingham Forest also drawing, it's as you were at the bottom, but Tottenham fans are certainly feeling a bit better about life, even if their side is now winless in 12 league outings.

As this relegation battle continues, the Lilywhites need every marginal gain they can get, hence why supporters are hoping this is the last they see of the yellow away kit, given the team's miserable record when wearing it.

Tottenham Hotspur's 2025/26 results in the yellow away kit

Sunday was the yellow kit's ninth outing and, to date, Spurs have enjoyed just one victory wearing it. This was actually their most-recent league win, coming at Selhurst just after Christmas. That aside, it has produced five defeats and three draws, conceding 18 goals and scoring only nine.

Now, one could argue that Tottenham have a pretty bad record on the road in their white and all-black kits too, so let's compare the trio.

Tottenham Hotspur's win % in away fixtures per kit 2025/26

Somewhat surprisingly, Spurs have only worn their white kit in four away matches this season, enjoying victories at West Ham, Everton and Frankfurt when doing so, the only blot on this copy book coming in November's North London derby.

Meanwhile, while the black kit will forever become synonymous with last mid-week's mauling at the Metropolitano by Atlético Madrid, that was only Tottenham's second defeat in that shirt, actually beating Manchester City and Leeds earlier in the campaign, while also earning four draws.

Tottenham still have four fixtures on the road remaining, visiting Sunderland next up, before trips to Wolves, Aston Villa and then Chelsea. Likely to be donning the yellow strip at the Stadium of Light and Villa Park too, the supporters who will be making the long trip to Wearside on 12 April certainly won't be pleased if their team emerges from the tunnel bedecked in "vibrant yellow", as Nike call it.

True Tottenham Hotspur supporters have been banging the drum for young left winger Mathys Tel all season long, and no matter how things have been going for Spurs this campaign, which is mostly bad, Tel has been a pleasant bright spot alongside the likes of Archie Gray.

Tel produced another fine performance in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool, showing up with a ton of heart an the initiative to create and make things happen. Sure, not everything comes off, but when you look at the final tally at the end of the game, Tel is the team's leading creative force and best one on one dribbler out wide with the gumption and athletic tools to make things happen.

What Tel is truly missing more than anything else to convert his hard work, dribbling forays, and teasing crosses is that top No. 9 to make use of his quality. Richarlison did end up scoring the game tying goal and showed a ton of heart again in a relegation battle match vs. old rivals Liverpool, but he also missed a couple of great chances that none other than Tel set up for him.

Mathys Tel keeps having good games

Tottenham do not have a top striker. Randal Kolo Muani could be, in theory, but he barely cares and was inconsistent at PSG anyway. Richarlison is too limited of a player, especially at this stage of his career; he's really just a step away from the Turkish Super Lig or Saudi Pro League. And then there is Dominic Solanke, who has an all around skill set but ghosts games and is not a top scorer.

Imagine Tel with a true world class striker in the Premier League - someone he can assist and even play off of. To bring up a name Spurs fans are familiar with, imagine Tel working with a striker like Harry Kane on a weekly basis.

Tel, Xavi Simons, and a lot of the other young players at Tottenham Hotspur are really just let down by the fact that the coaching and veteran talent at the club are not that great. Spurs have truly promising youth players, but the experienced crew are not at the level required to help pull up the young talents to top five contention in the best league in world football. If anything, that is what Tel - and the others - are suffering from the most, and it shows when you break the games down closer.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have become increasingly frustrated with several high profile players in recent weeks, and after his horrible red card that literally cost Spurs the game against Crystal Palace the previous weekend, more and more fans are casting a critical eye on Micky van de Ven.

Still viewed as one of the best young defenders in world football and coveted by La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, Van de Ven may honestly already have his head in the clouds with a view towards those huge clubs, not caring at all about Spurs getting left behind in the Championship.

Tottenham fans certainly noticed the difference on Sunday in a massive 1-1 draw over Liverpool that just keeps Spurs above the tide in the relegation battle with Nottingham Forest and rivals West Ham United.

Kevin Danso shone without Micky van de Ven

Kevin Danso started the game in central defense, and even with Radu Dragusin playing a very sloppy game next to him, he marshaled the Liverpool attack very, very well. As ever, the big Austrian put his body on the line, saving a goal and playing world class defense at times against the reigning champions.

There was something different about the fighting spirit of Danso that, once again, took ahold of Spurs supporters, and while even the biggest fans of the new Tottenham cult hero would not try to argue that he is a superior talent to Van de Ven, it is clear that the character he has is what Tottenham need more of in this relegation fight.

Danso is outplaying Van de Ven as of late, and Igor Tudor, assuming he still has his job, has a big decision to make. Does he go with the big name in Van de Ven and stick with the Dutchman as the starter next to the captain Cristian Romero? Or does he give Danso the nod? And if he starts Danso at center back instead, does Van de Ven then start at left back? Now how about if Destiny Udogie is available?

Van de Ven has played himself into a tricky situation with a careless attitude, rash challenges, and the lack of his positive traits like his speed and athleticisim. Defending is about more than just being an athlete. it is about heart. And in a relegation battle, Tottenham and Tudor may come to the conclusion that the gargantuan heart that Danso has is what will keep them alive.

Mauricio Pochettino has long sought a reunion with Tottenham Hotspur, but the Argentine has insisted that his sole focus right now is guiding the USMNT at the upcoming World Cup.

Our former manager was in attendance at the Metropolitano on Tuesday night for what was an utterly bizarre 5-2 defeat at the hands of Atlético Madrid. Igor Tudor's side somewhat recovered from an abysmal start, but the tie is all but wrapped up.

For the first time in club history, Spurs have lost six games in a row in all competitions. We're in a historically bad state, with relegation a frightening potential. Just one point separates us from the drop zone.

The club has never needed a saviour more, with Tudor likely to receive his marching orders after Sunday's game at Liverpool. The direction we turn next is unknown, with Sean Dyche among the managers linked on a short-term basis. There's also a chance we opt for our next 'project' manager before season's end, but that, of course, won't be Pochettino. Roberto De Zerbi is the leading candidate on that front.

Poch fully focused on USMNT World Cup task; comments on Tottenham's situation

Despite his Chelsea venture, Pochettino is universally adored in N17, and his legacy, despite the absence of silverware, has only been enhanced given what's occurred since his departure in 2019.

We've flirted with a reunion on several occasions, but never before has a return appeared so enticing. Supporters, who've spent weeks overindulging in 2016/17 bliss playing to the tune of Olivia Dean, are desperate just to feel something again. That's why Harry Redknapp, 79 and out of management for almost a decade, has been touted as a potential emergency option post-Tudor.

Poch himself is enticed by the prospect of a Lilywhite comeback, even suffering through Jake Humphrey's podcast to once again declare his love for the club. However, in an interview with Radiogaceta de los Deportes on RNE last month, with quotes relayed by Mundo Deportivo, he brushed aside the Spurs rumours and reasserted his current focus.

“I’m always linked to the clubs I’ve been at, to Tottenham, just as I was linked to Espanyol at one point, or to other clubs. In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren’t going well, people tend to rely on emotions and say, ‘Well, with Mauricio we played good football,’ or whatever.

“But no. We’re focused on the World Cup, in the United States. My contract ends after the World Cup, so we’ll see what happens after that. Open to anything, right?”

In the apocalyptic event of relegation, there are no guarantees that Pochettino would want the job anyway. If we do survive, the Argentine wouldn't be available to assume his post until after the tournament, which could be as late as mid-July. Thus, our preparations for 2026/27 may be sub-optimal, but I'm sure that's a price many would be willing to pay to bring the 54-year-old home.

Seeing him interact with supporters before and after Tuesday's chastening defeat was a reminder, a mere snippet, of just how special a reunion could feel.

At this point, do we merely accept our fate? There's bad luck, and then there's what Tottenham Hotspur are currently enduring amid the bleakest of runs.

Igor Tudor's ill-fated reign has already entered the end times, with reports suggesting that the two stooges, Johan and Vinai, are weighing up their options in the event of another managerial change. Former Spurs hero Jürgen Klinsmann is the latest to throw their name into the hat.

Visits to Anfield are hard enough; we haven't won at Liverpool's home since Rafael van der Vaart and Luka Modrić were toying with Jay Spearing in midfield almost 15 years ago. With a healthy squad, we'd find a way to wilt on Merseyside. Who knows how bad it's going to get in the absence of 12 players this weekend?

This is far from an excellent Liverpool team, a shadow of the outfit that ascended to glory last year, but Dr. Tottenham will see you now, Mo.

Here's the starting lineup Tudor could pick on Sunday afternoon.

Predicted Tottenham lineup vs. Liverpool

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Guglielmo Vicario (GK)—Antonín Kinsky unfortunately played his way out of contention on Tuesday night, with Vicario a sure bet to reclaim his starting role.

Pedro Porro (RB)—Amid the madness in Madrid, Porro scored a lovely goal, one of two for Tudor's side that has just about kept us in the tie.

Kevin Danso (CB)—With the players missing, it'd be malpractice for Tudor to continue with a back three. He has to make a change, meaning Danso will have a new partner in a back four.

Radu Drăgușin (CB)—Micky van de Ven is suspended, and captain Cristian Romero is in the concussion protocol. Don't fear, though, our Romanian superhero is back and ready to save the day.

Djed Spence (LB)—Remarkably, Tottenham have just one left-footed player available for Sunday's game, João Souza. I wouldn't be surprised if the manager sticks with Spence, despite the awkward fit, given the chaotic nature of Souza's first Premier League start.

Midfielders

Archie Gray (CM)—Gray has been able to hold his head up high as of late, and Tudor spoke glowingly of the young Englishman ahead of Sunday's game. He looks a sure bet to start in midfield at Anfield.

Pape Matar Sarr (CM)—With no João Palhinha and Conor Gallagher dealing with an illness in the week, it seems likely that Sarr will partner Gray again in the middle of the park.

Xavi Simons (AM)—The Dutchman hasn't caught fire under the new manager, but this Liverpool team surrenders so much space in transition and I really think Xavi could have a big game if he's picked in the XI.

Forwards

Randal Kolo Muani (RW)—A square peg in a round hole, woeful squad planning means Kolo Muani is our 'best' option wide right, and I vehemently dislike the Frenchman performing this role.

Richarlison (ST)—The ex-Everton man is the scrapper Tottenham need down the stretch. Let him be a nuisance on Merseyside.

Tottenham Hotspur got the Thomas Frank hire very wrong, and it already looks like Vinai Venkatesham and John Lange have done the same with interim coach Igor Tudor, who has yet to win a game and constantly waxes poetic about how unprecedentedly bad and unlucky Spurs are when his job was to instill confidence and save the team from relegation.

Tudor looks like no savior at this point, with the players already having no confidence in a manager with no real track record of success at the top level who just disgraced himself with his treatment of young goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky vs. Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Spurs are already after a Tudor replacement, and according to a report from Fabrizio Romano, the manager is at "serious risk" of losing his job. Per Fab, the top candidate for Spurs for months has been Marseille's Roberto De Zerbi - by the way, Tudor used to coach Marseille, finishing third with them in Ligue 1 - so it looks ilke they have been interested in De Zerbi even when Frank was manager. However, it is "unlikely" they will hire De Zerbi, owing to it being a "difficult deal".

Tottenham see Roberto De Zerbi as their top target

All in all, Romano states that Spurs are waiting for the next games before making a decision but that a decision on Tudor will be coming "soon" with other managers on the short list. It appears Spurs are considering both other interim replacement options for Tudor, as well as more long term solutions like De Zerbi.

If Tottenham have already talked to De Zerbi for months and see him as their top target, then he definitely is their dream priority. But De Zerbi does not sound like a great hire for Tottenham, and fans will likely have real concerns about his character and the identity he would bring to the club, given he was willing to sign any kind of person to Marseille. Players like Mason Greenwood, Elye Wahi, and several others with serious character concerns and allegations of grossly criminal behavior joined Marseille pretty quickly into De Zerbi's reign.

So while De Zerbi is a great tactician, he does not appear to be great at anything else. He has never coached an elite club, and the elite clubs have tended to avoid him for a reason. De Zerbi is a maven for controversy himself, often falling out with club hierarchies very quickly over his demands, which have often pointed to ego. His obsesssion is often his undoing with the players, too, and hiring a manager this volatile would be worse than the Antonio Conte situation, making De Zerbi a potential nightmare hire, not a dream one, for Tottenham.