Hotspur HQ

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.

Tottenham Hotspur have been destroyed by injuries this season somehow even worse than in previous years. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are still not back yet, Dominic Solanke only recently returned from being out for months, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall leave huge vacancies in midfield, Wilson Odobert is done for the season, and Mohammed Kudus's multi month injury looms largest.

But arguably no single player has been made more unreliable by recurrent injuries than starting left back Destiny Udogie, whose increased absences this season have, if anything, highlighted both how hard it is to trust him but also how important he is to the starting lineup when he does play.

Udogie's latest injury has kept him out since the beginning of February, and it is the second hamstring issue that has cost him a month of action and a handful of games. There was optimism he could return any game now, including this weekend against Liverpool, but that has not been the case.

Destiny Udogie will be ready for Nottingham Forest

However, Tottenham Hotspur manager Igor Tudor finally did get a chance to provide Spurs supporters with a positive Destiny Udogie injury update ahead of the Liverpool game. Per Tudor, Udogie is almost ready to return and is going to be ready when Spurs take on Nottingham Forest.

The Tottenham vs. Forest game is massive for both clubs, because Spurs, right now, are just one point above Forest and West Ham United in the Premier League relegation fight. So that is an even bigger must win for Spurs than the other must win games Spurs have already scuffed up, including last weeke's 3-1 debacle of a loss to London rivals Crystal Palace.

Having Udogie back in time before the next international break for the March 22 game on Sunday against Nottingham Forest will be massive. Udogie is a great progressor of the ball and a better defender than Djed Spence despite all the social media nonsense, and with Tudor unwilling to trust Souza as a starter yet, Udogie is really the only valid option at left back.

When Udogie returns vs. Forest, it would also be nice to see him starting behind Mathys Tel on the left wing. Tottenham fans have barely seen that axis this season, but when they have been given glimpses of it, it has looked like a pairing capable of delivering results to this otherwise downtrodden Tottenham side in the 2025/26 Premier League season.

There is a strong chance Antonin Kinsky is not playing for Tottenham Hotspur, and while a loan move to another club is more likely, Kinsky may want a more permanent reset. It is not just about the moment against Atletico Madrid in which Kinsky was hung out to dry in a huge Champions League knockout tie against a big club without having started for months.

No, Kinsky's struggles on a slippery pitch that everyone else was already slipping on - albeit with usually less dire consequences - throughout the entirety of the last couple of months, were the culmination of a problem brewing throughout the season at the club. Guglielmo Vicario had been allowed to start week after week with no consequence to his horrendous goalkeeping, back breaking errors that cost points all the way down to a relegation battle, and laughable leaderhip.

Meanwhile, Kinsky, a much more promising goalkeeper long term, was never given a chance up until the moment he was thrown to the wolves against Atleti, and then his new manager, Igor Tudor, cold shouldered him as he walked out of the game after just 17 minutes.

Antonin Kinsky will play for Tottenham again

But at least Tudor had the decency to say the words Kinsky needed to hear from him, even though the comments from the manager at the press conference before the next game against Liverpool are coming a bit too late.

Tudor said of Kinsky, as captured by Chris Cowlin, "He will play, for sure. The day after on the training pitch he was very positive. It's a very rare situation that's happened probably for the first and last time in my life and the life of a lot of people. In his career, Kinsky will make other mistakes but he has a strength and quality. He has a very good career in front of him."

Not only is it nice to hear Igor Tudor say something positive about Antonin Kinsky after he initially hung his keeper out to dry, but the bigger story here is him saying that Kinsky will get another chance to play in goal for Tottenham Hotspur before this nightmare 2025/26 season ends.

That is huge for Kinsky to know that he is going to another crack at the job and that he is not being fully thrown under the bus by his coach and his team. Yes, Kinsky made those mistakes, but anyone would have fallen on that pitch, and it is not like VIcario's play merits starting every game. Kinsky needs more reps, he needs more chances, and he is good enough for this job.

Tottenham Hotspur are in need of a savior. First, they must save themselves from relegation, which unfortunately appears imminent if the injuries keep stacking up along with the losses, but over the long term, they need a manager they can truly believe in for more than just one or two more seasons. Enter Mauricio Pochettino.

The Tottenham icon once led Spurs to the door step of Champions League and Premier League titles, and while they did win the Europa League under Ange Postecoglou last season, they have never been able to compete at the elite level of football like they did under Poch - even with huge names at manager like Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.

Pochettino to Tottenham has become an increasingly popular topic for Spurs supporters over the last several weeks. There are no other options, and only someone like Poch who truly loves the club would be willing to take the risk of coaching them in this dark hour of need. Plus, Pochettino has been speaking openly about his admiration for the club, while even attending the Champions League battle with Atletico Madrid in the first leg in Spain.

Manchester United think Poch is going to Spurs

Now, a report from ESPN's Mark Ogden states that Manchester United do not regard Mauricio Pochettino has an option to take over from their own - more successful - interim manager, Michael Carrick. Per Ogden, senior Man United officials actually expect Pochettino to return to Tottenham Hotspur as their next manager after the 2026 World Cup with the United States is done.

So even another Big Six Pemier League club are of the belief that Poch to Tottenham is likely and will not even pursue him as an option. That speaks volumes and is a huge hint for Tottenham fans that a Pochettino reunion is not just possible; it is likely.

Pochettino himself has been maintaining that he is focused on doing well at the World Cup for the United States men's national team, as they are one of the host nations this year. And, well, let's just say there are plenty of bigger distractions off the pitch that Pochettino does not want to give his players another one to worry about.

But in the back of everyone's minds, including those at other clubs it appears, the long term topic of conversation for Pochettino is Tottenham. There is a strong belief among the supporters that the club never should have let him go the first time around.

Tottenham Hotspur supporters have become increasingly frustrated with how often Archie Gray is pushed and pulled in different directions, forced to play a number of positions that are not his own, as his versatility becomes something of a punitive point that prevents him from getting the reps he needs to be a holding midfielder of the future for Spurs.

Most recently, Gray was forced to play left back and then on the right wing against Fulham, and there have even been multiple game this season in which he has played at the right back position. Under Thomas Frank, we also saw Gray have to play other positions besides the midfield, and, famously, Ange Postecoglou had the 20 year old midfielder starting several games at center back in his rookie season at Tottenham, perhaps playing more as a defender than as a midfielder that year.

Spurs supporters are fed up with this, but they are at least happy to hear that the new interim manager, Igor Tudor, is at least able to admit that he is part of the problem and that playing Gray in so many different positions is indeed a problem.

Archie Gray might play out of position again

Tudor said at the press conference before Tottenham battle Liverpool, via Spurs Army, “That's the problem. He needs to, every game, change the position, tomorrow again. Four games here, four positions for Archie Gray. He's an amazing player, but that's been that. Something's wrong. Beautiful guy, beautiful player. I didn't know him before so much, so from inside, he has my big respect.”

Archie Gray has turned heads in a positive way over the last few games for never letting his head drop and for being one of the players most likely to push for a turn around in the match. He was the team's best player in the loss to Crystal Palace, and despite everything around him going wrong, he was still tremendous in the midfield.

The U21 talent has the chance to be special, but it is hurting his development having to change positions. Tudor just hinted that it will happen again vs. Liverpool with the "tomorrow again" comment, so while Tudor is at least refreshingly honest in his approach at press conferences, it is not like this admission is going to change things. And that is because the root of the problem for both Tottenham and Gray is a combination of a lack of quality in the squad and horrendous luck with injuries.

Tottenham Hotspur have been the unluckiest team in the Premier League with injuries and absences these past two seasons, and even new interim manager Igor Tudor cannot help but give exasperated exclamations in press conferences that this is a situation he has never seen before - and he has been around the block many times in world football.

On Sunday, Tottenham will face another stiff test in the league against reigning champions Liverpool, as they are increasingly closer to the relegation zone following another awful defeat last week, 3-1 to local rivals Crystal Palace.

Compounding matters was a concerning collision late in the game between captain Crisitan Romero, who had just returned from a suspension, and defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha. Tudor is now confirming that both players will be out against Liverpool.

Joao Palhinha and Cristian Romero are out

In addition, Micky van de Ven is out with a suspension, meaning Tottenham will be without their starting center back duo. Veteran center midfielder Yves Bissouma is also out, per Tudor, and Conor Gallagher recently spiked a fever, putting his status in some question. That means Spurs are going to be without three more players due to injury, Van de Ven to suspension, and even potentially Gallagher being a fifth man out with illness.

Tudor said, via Football.London's Alasdair Gold, "No, Romero and Palhinha out. Micky is out. Bissouma has a problem and Conor has a fever but we hope he will be ok. Always something happen. Very rare and I've never seen this in my career."

That means Igor Tudor and Tottenham Hotspur will have to turn to Radu Dragusin and Kevin Danso as the center backs with Archie Gray, Pape Matar Sarr, and Xavi Simons as the midfield trio. Tudor has been playing folks, including Gray and Pedro Porro, out of position to mask holes due to injuries and suspensions, so it is possible we see some more annoying curveballs in the announced starting lineup on Sunday.

Liverpool are not in their best period this season and are asking serious questions about their own manager, Arne Slot, but they have a much stronger squad than Spurs and have been much better in the table this season. So Sunday's game is going to be very tough, and the real key will be if the players can start rallying mentally with more effort while cutting down on the sort of individual errors that have made getting results even tougher for them.