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Pedro Porro: ‘This is a tough situation’

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Pedro Porro has lent his support to Igor Tudor in the Tottenham dugout.

The side suffered a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, slipping within one point of the relegation zone, and the Spanish defender received attention for his reaction to his substitution.

However, Porro gave no indication that he is not behind the new man on the sidelines. A unified front is key for the club at the end of this campaign as the drop zone looms larger than ever.

“Since I found out [Igor] was coming to the club, I knew he was going to be a manager that would help us a lot. All the players know that we need to be on the right path with him. We know that he's only in for three weeks now and he just needs to learn everything about us, and the other way around. We're on the right path.

"I just want to make it clear, [my anger] was not about the manager. I am a player who gives it all on the pitch, 200%, and we never like losing, it's just about that. So, to end all the speculation that he was about the manager. We've never seen ourselves in this situation. So, it was just my reaction.

“[The last few months] have not been easy because of everything we've gone through. I had a minor injury a few weeks ago, and I just need to be ready. I could tell you, they have been tough times, but this does not affect my mindset and my teammates' mindset. We always want to do our best.

“The past few weeks have not gone our way, have not gone the way we expected. We just need to keep going until the end and do things as well as possible.

"This is a tough situation. The important thing, now that we are here, is to focus on tomorrow's game, and this is what matters."

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Pre-Match Analysis: Tottenham Hotspur head to Atletico Madrid

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Tottenham Hotspur are in poor form in the Premier League, suffering yet another defeat to Crystal Palace last week, and face a real battle to avoid the drop.

They have lost their last five league games and are currently 16th in the table, with some important games on the horizon.

However, in the UEFA Champions League, they progressed automatically to the Round of 16 after finishing in the top eight during the League Phase.

Their reward is a tie against Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone's side had to go through the Playoff Round last month, where they beat Belgian side Club Brugge over two legs.

The Spanish side come into this game on the back of a 3-2 home win against Real Sociedad at the weekend. They have also won their last three games in La Liga and are currently third in the table, only behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.

A welcome distraction?

Over the last two seasons, Spurs have struggled in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and now Igor Tudor have all failed to pick up points.

Yet in European competitions they have looked a different side.

Last season, Postecoglou led them to victory in the UEFA Europa League and delivered the trophy that the club had been craving.

That win against Manchester United secured a spot in this season's Champions League.

Playing in the top competition in European club football, they have picked up some important wins and put in some excellent performances.

A standout result would be the win against Borussia Dortmund in January and an inspiring attacking performance away at Paris Saint-Germain, where they narrowly lost 5-3 in the end against last year's winners.

Therefore, despite their difficulties in the domestic league, they may head to the Spanish capital with a sense of freedom and a belief that they can get a result.

Ironically, in the Premier League they have been better away from home yet in Europe they are unbeaten at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This may also provide a source of confidence ahead of next week's second leg.

In knockout football, anything is possible and Spurs will want to make the most of their place in the competition.

The ongoing problems cannot be ignored

This could be a difficult game for Spurs to approach because their problems cannot be ignored, survival in the top flight must be the priority.

They will, inevitably, be keen to progress in Europe and look to give themselves the best chance of remaining in the tie ahead of the second leg.

There may be a feeling that the draw could have been tougher and that Atletico are beatable and, if everything goes Spurs' way, they could potentially go through to the Quarter Finals.

Alternatively, given their recent league form, it could be a tie too far and a reminder of their current struggles and the reality of where they find themselves at the moment.

They have a trip to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday and that will be a tough game, but next weekend they are at home to relegation rivals Nottingham Forest and that is a game that they cannot afford to lose.

Equally, if Igor Tudor decides to rest some players in Europe ahead of the league games then it could turn into a very difficult and unpleasant night for the Londoners.

Supporters travelling to Spain may do so more in hope than any real expectation and some may view it as a tie that Spurs could do without.

Can Igor Tudor gain any form of momentum?

There is little doubt that the interim manager needs something. He has lost his three games in charge so far 4-1, 2-1 and 3-1. That is a record that needs to change if Spurs are to avoid the drop.

There has not been much to cheer this season and the reality of the situation has set in.

Regardless of the result, Tudor may want to see some positive aspects that he can take away from this fixture and feel that they could be applied to their league games.

Hiring Tudor was a gamble but so far it is not working.

There will likely be the hope that a win or a draw away in Spain could at least stop the rot and give them something to build on ahead of the trip to Anfield and the Forest game.

There is no reason to say that Spurs must sacrifice the Champions League and relegation rivals Forest face a similar balancing act as they are competing in the Europa League.

There is a world where Spurs stay up and progress to the latter stages of Europe, but to do that they need to start winning games. It is as simple as that.

However, the cost of relegation would be far more damaging than a European exit.

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“We are disappointed” - Tudor reflects after defeat against Crystal Palace sends Spurs closer to relegation

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Igor Tudor expressed his disappointment with his Tottenham side after yet another poor display resulted in a 3-1 loss at the hands of Crystal Palace.

The Lilywhites took the lead through Dominic Solanke, however, a sending off for Micky van de Ven led to a complete collapse for the hosts, with Palace putting three goals past Guglielmo Vicario in 13 minutes.

The loss means Spurs are now winless in 11 league games and sit just one point above the bottom three, with relegation no longer a distant prospect.

"We are disappointed to lose the game," said Tudor.

"I want to be positive. I cannot tell the guys nothing in the end after this game. They gave everything. Unfortunately, we pay every detail.

"If we can say that red card is a detail, there is always something to say. With all the problems we have now, missing the defenders today, missing the full-backs, these are the problems we already know. I don't want to speak about that, but we need to stay together now.

"Do not make mistakes. This is the key in the end of football. Unfortunately, now, in this moment, we pay everything, but in return, I believe, we change everything.

"Still nine games to play. Still nine games to play."

The shambolic display from Spurs saw a large section of the home support leave the stadium at half-time, but despite everything, the Croatian manager said he believes even more in his team now.

"Of course I understand the fans," he said. "It’s a normal thing that happens in football. They are disappointed. They wanted more. We are aware of that. We also wanted to give more.

"I will tell you now, maybe it will sound strange, but I believe more after this game than I believed before. I saw something.

"I need to choose the right guys because the boat is going in the direction that I want to go and needs to go and who is in the boat can stay. Otherwise, they can leave the boat.

"So, when the other players will come back, I’m sure we will have a good team and the victories will come back. It’s not easy to accept the moment where we are now but it is how it is."

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Four things we learnt from Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 defeat to Fulham

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Tottenham Hotspur missed the chance to get some points on the board and move away from the Premier League relegation zone.

First half strikes from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi gave the home side a 2-0 lead.

Richarlison pulled one back for Spurs late on but it was not enough to spark a comeback as it finished 2-1.

Marco Silva's side are a good outfit and deserve the credit but it is a game that Spurs would likely have been expecting more from.

Here are four takeaways from the game.

Winless in ten league games

Spurs are in terrible form, with just one win in their last ten Premier League matches.

They are the only team in the top flight without a league win in 2026.

There have been many disappointing results and missed opportunities to kick on and get their season going.

In that ten game run they have played some of the best teams in the league but they have also played strugglers West Ham and Burnley.

A missed opportunity

There was a feeling that this could have been a pivotal weekend in the battle to avoid the drop.

West Ham and Leeds United both lost to Manchester City and Liverpool, respectively.

Nottingham Forest lost to Brighton so there was a chance, if Spurs could have beat Fulham, to get some important points.

As it was, they conceded after just seven minutes and never really got going against Fulham. It was yet another disappointing game for Igor Tudor and his side.

A win would have marked a successful weekend and provided a much needed boost. Instead, it is another weekend where they do not fall into the bottom three but remain just above it.

Four points proving to be the difference

Spurs have had a four point lead over the bottom three for a while now and the concern will be that they have not been able to extend that lead.

It remains very close and, before Spurs play their next game West Ham visit Craven Cottage, so if the Hammers win their match then it would put Forest on 27 points, West Ham on 28 and Spurs on 29 points.

It could be argued that the side from north London are rather fortunate that West Ham or Forest have not been able to gain more wins over the recent weeks.

Spurs are in the worst form and have no momentum going into the fight, whereas Nuno Espirito Santo's side and Forest have shown they are capable of picking up results. Spurs have not really looked likely and are hanging on to their four point lead.

Trouble away from home now too

It could be said that Spurs have not been too bad away from home, compared to their record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but this away defeat will only further add to their worries.

Conceding early is never the ideal start but it did leave them with plenty of time to get back into the game and make a fight of it. However, that was not to be the case. Even after pulling it back to 2-1, the Cottagers would not have been too worried.

There has been a lack of goals from their attacking players this season and that is something that has proved costly.

All of their attacking players had a disappointing afternoon in west London and did not create any real chances of note to cause significant problems.

They have had injuries throughout the season and are missing key players but that cannot be used as an excuse.

Players like Dominic Solanke are good players but, since returning to fitness, other than his goals against Manchester City he has not delivered the goods.

They host Crystal Palace on Thursday and the need for a win has arguably never been greater.

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Yves Bissouma says 'words aren't going to change anything' as Tottenham slump to Fulham defeat

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Sunday's defeat at Craven Cottage left Tottenham winless in their last ten Premier League matches, a run that stretches back to the 28th December when Spurs came away from Selhurst Park with a 1-0 win, thanks to a close range header by Archie Gray.

Following the final whistle midfielder Yves Bissouma shared his thoughts when he spoke to Spurs TV after the final whistle.

He said: "It’s football, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. We are in a really bad situation at the moment. We don’t deserve to be where we are now, the club don’t deserve it, but like I said it’s football.

“Sometimes you don’t understand, sometimes you win and sometimes you’re losing games, and you don’t even know why you’re losing games, but the only thing we can do, we just have to close our mouth and work hard, because words are not going to change anything"

He added: "We just have to work really hard to come, focus on the next game and try to win this game at home, in front of our supporters, to bring that confidence back again, and try to win the rest of the games.

“Football is like that, you can’t blame a player, or you can’t blame your teammates, because of a mistake or because of this. We are a group, we stay together.

“We have to find a solution, and we know, like, we have to work hard, really hard, to try to come back again, to like I said, win games in front of our fans."

The Mali international believes Tottenham will turn things around as they look to avoid being relegated for the first time since 1976/1977 season.

“Yeah, for sure, I’m sure we’re going to. It’s details, and we believe in each other, we believe in the coach, we believe in the work he does for us, we believe in everything. So, we know, like, that the situation will change, for sure.

“We just have to find the right way to do it, because we have everything. You can’t say we don’t have the players, we have the players, we have a team, we are a group, a solid group. We’ve got everything, a good coach"

He added: “Everyone around is top, fantastic, so, it’s a moment this happens, I know it happens, especially at this time, of course, we don’t feel good, we don’t feel better, it’s not what we want, but together we can change things, and I’m sure we will change things as soon as possible, and we’ll start in the game that’s coming up.

“We will need everyone, every fan, because this is really important, especially when we play at home, we will need the fans, we will need them and I think next game will be the time to change things, and we’ll look forward."

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1 Tottenham Hotspur: Fulham dominate Spurs as the Cottagers move up to 9th in the table

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Relegation looks ever closer for Tottenham, as they recorded their fourth consecutive loss in the Premier League, and moved within four points of the relegation zone.

The Lilywhites remain the only team in the league without a Premier League win since the turn of the New Year.

Although some nervy moments towards the end of the game, which included Richarlison’s headed finish, for the most part it was a dominant performance from the Cottagers.

First half goals from Harry Wilson and Alex Iwobi were enough to seal the points in the end, although they could have and should have had themselves a few more than what they did, with chances going abegging.

It has been a great season for Harry Wilson so far, and it keeps getting better as he added yet another goal and an assist to his impressive tally.

Those involvements took the Welshman up to 15 goal contributions in the league, with nine goals and six assists.

Marco Silva’s men have now won three games in a row and will have one eye on moving up into the European places come the end of the season.

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Story of the game

Fulham opened the scoring early on through Wilson, a deep ball into the box from Kenny Tete was knocked back into the box by Oscar Bobb.

After a feint headed touch from Conor Gallagher, Wilson met the ball on the volley with a strike that fired past Guglielmo Vicario in the Spurs net to give his side the lead.

A VAR-check allowed it to stand, although this did not come without controversy, after a potential foul on Radu Drăgușin by Raúl Jiménez with the challenge in the air.

Spurs fans and players felt short changed, following a similar incident which involved Kolo Muani in theNorth London Derby was ruled out last weekend.

It was a pretty one-sided first half in terms of meaningful chances, and the hosts had themselves a second in the 35th minute, as Iwobi added his name to the scoresheet.

A well-worked goal with the chance coming from a one-two move with Wilson, the midfielder’s side-footed strike with great technique from the edge of the box going in off the post.

Igor Tudor’s side began to wake up and applied some pressure following that goal, although failed to conjure up many chances of substance.

These frustrations were confirmed by spirited defending from Calvin Bassey, who put in a series of blocks to deny both Kolo Muani and former Fulham midfielder João Palhinha.

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The second half started with much of the same, with countless chances missed by the home side, as they looked to put the game to bed.

A couple of chances for the ex-Arsenal player Emile Smith-Rowe, one down the left-hand side as he was slipped in by Bobb, although his effort across goal bobbled wide of the post.

The best chance came from a ball-through from Iwobi, who was involved again, with Smith-Rowe one-on-one with Vicario, although quick reactions from the ‘keeper kept the score to two.

Recently introduced Richarlison gave the North London side a lifeline in the match with a move down the left flank. Archie Gray with an overlapping run and stood the ball up to the back post for the Brazilian striker to head home to halve the deficit.

There were some late chances in desperation from Spurs although the Fulham defence stood strong and denied them any chance to share the points.

Player of the match: Alex Iwobi

The Nigerian international was a different class today for the hosts and he was at the fore-front of the vast majority of Fulham’s promising attacking moves.

Not just in an attacking sense, but he was dominant in both areas of the pitch, repeatedly winning the ball back for his side allowing them to counter quickly.

This all goes without mentioning his strike that gave Fulham their second goal, a beautiful side-footed effort that kissed the post on the way in, which ended up being the deciding goal to make all of the difference.

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Igor Tudor: 'We need to be focused on us' ahead of Fulham clash on Sunday

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Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to face Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and will be vying for a better result after their dismal loss to north London rivals Arsenal last week.

Spurs, who are currently 16th with 29 points, have not won a single of their last five games and are in need of three points to push them further away from relegation, a word which team boss Igor Tudor has avoided using with his players, saying the only focus should be ‘on ourselves’.

Fulham have won two out of their last five, and have gathered 37 points to sit them just inside the top 10.

Tudor spoke to the media ahead of his side’s vital clash, describing Sunday’s opponents as ‘a very good team with a coach who is there for a long, long period.’

He said:

“[Regarding Fulham] very recognisable team in the way how they do things, very serious team, always difficult to beat them, so it will be tough.

“We need to be focused on us, what to do, because we need to make better our performance.

“On the training, that's the only thing we can change, so there is nothing to think about the future or the points even.

“The points come as a consequence of the training and the game, so that's the focus, that's the main and only focus we need to have.

“In Italy, they use the terms, have a mentality of a small team.

“So that's the key always – with the humble, with the willing, with the wish to have always motivation, like you play against a bigger team, so that's the start, of course.

“Then we work a lot of that… They [the players] are aware of everything [the situation they are in], of course.”

In terms of who could be playing this weekend and possible formations, Tudor was asked if his tactics could change amid a possible return for Kevin Danso and Pedro Porro.

On this, he said:

“We're going to see when they're back, how they're back, what are the other players, so this is work in the work to recognise what this team can do.

“That's also one part of the style, how you want to be without the ball, but then if you have too many problems back, then you need to think about the style – it’s the right style, it's the right way, you can call it how you want.

“So, I need to be smart to understand deeper the moment and the way how to take the points, even not looking to the style now in this moment.

“Style needs to be in the second moment, because now it's a question of life and death… sportingly.”

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'I believe that the mentality changes by training' says Tottenham boss Igor Tudor

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Tottenham boss Igor Tudor reflected on his side’s performance against north London rivals Arsenal on Sunday, admitting his new job is ‘very tough’ ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Fulham this weekend.

In their most recent match, Tottenham faced a 4-1 defeat at home to Arsenal.

At the post-match press conference, Tudor conceded that the match was ‘too much’ with ‘the problems we have’, and stressed the importance of Spurs having a goal for the future and changing some habits.

Now, speaking to the media ahead of Fulham this weekend, the Croatian made reference to some mentality shifts he wishes to see in the team and players.

He explained:

“I believe that the mentality changes by training, by doing the right things there and then to have enough training sessions that you can transmit this thing to your teams – so that on Sunday this can be seen from the fans in the stadium.”

“Daily work, focus, raising in all things we need to do, physical condition, mental, confidence, performance and waiting for the players to come back.

“So, we need to be focused on us, what we can do, less thinking about others, that's always good and it should be good.”

As well as league performance being a pressing matter for the north London club at the moment, there is also the topic of Champions League football – with the start of the knockout stages on the horizon.

“It's a beautiful competition to play, everyone wants to play.

“The problem is the lack of numbers of players, the amount of players we have in the team, that's the problem.

“Because if you need to play every three days with 10, 12, 13… that's the problem, not that we play Champions League or not.

“Also, it's not about only spending physical energy, but also mental energy when every game for us in the league is the final.”

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Pre-Match Analysis: Tottenham Hotspur head to Fulham

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Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in a relegation battle and in a tough run of form. They come into this game having lost their last three Premier League matches and have only a four point cushion to the drop zone.

Thomas Frank has left the club and Igor Tudor has come in. The north London derby was never going to be an easy first match but it ended in a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal and will likely have fans worried.

Fulham, meanwhile, are tenth in the table and after they had a run of three successive defeats they responded with a 3-1 win at Sunderland at the weekend.

The side from west London are having a good season and may still have ambitions of qualifying for European football next season.

The Cottagers are also unbeaten in their last three games against Spurs so Tudor's side will need to be careful not to underestimate their opponents. Fulham have won their last two meetings with Spurs, including a first win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November.

Away games may be easier than home matches

Spurs have a poor record at home this season, with their last home win in the Premier League coming at the beginning of December.

Remarkably, they have only recorded two home wins in the league all season. This makes them one of the league's worst performers on home soil.

Away from home they have fared better with five wins and four draws. It could be that there is greater pressure on them at home to get a result and play an exciting brand of football.

Whereas, away from home they may be able to attack more on the counter.

The poor run at home continues from last season under Ange Postecoglou.

This is despite having some impressive wins at home in the UEFA Champions League this season.

However, Fulham have won seven games at home compared to five away from home so it will be a test for Spurs to get a result.

Igor Tudor's chance to make his mark

The new manager will not be judged solely on his side's showing against Arsenal but there will be an expectation that they are better this week.

Whilst Fulham are a strong side they are not at the level of the Gunners.

Spurs have played Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Arsenal in their last four games and earnt just a point from those fixtures.

They were games against top sides and, given Spurs' problems across the last two seasons, it may not come as a surprise that they struggled in those games.

However, Fulham will be viewed as a game that is an opportunity to gain three points. Spurs' last three points came at the end of December away at Crystal Palace.

They may only need one or two wins to provide some momentum and get them looking up the table, as opposed to down. However, there will likely be a feeling that it has to start this weekend.

After Fulham, they host Palace at home. This is before a trip to Liverpool and then a big game against the side below them, Nottingham Forest.

There may be a feeling that it is not about the performance but is about coming away from Craven Cottage with a positive result. It is an opportunity that cannot pass them by.

Why could this be a significant weekend?

At the same time as Spurs kick off, Nottingham Forest will be beginning their match at Brighton and Hove Albion.

That is a fixture, after narrowly losing to Liverpool last week, where Forest may feel as though they can also pick up some points.

If Forest were to get a win on the south coast then they would go above Spurs in the table and have a one point advantage over the Londoners.

However, a Spurs win and a defeat for Vitor Pereira's Forest would give Tudor's side 32 points and leave Forest on 27.

Meanwhile, the two other sides in the battle, Leeds United and West Ham face potentially challenging fixtures. Leeds face Manchester City and the Hammers head to Liverpool.

There is still 11 games to play and Spurs may feel as though they have enough to avoid the drop but this weekend is a good opportunity for them to show that.

Previously, in January, they were only able to draw against Burnley and suffered a defeat at home to West Ham.

These are the games now in the coming weeks and months that will define their season.

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Four things we learnt from Tottenham Hotspur's 4-1 defeat to rivals Arsenal

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Tottenham Hotspur suffered another disappointing defeat and this time it came in the north London derby.

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal had dropped points in the week and ended up drawing 2-2 with Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite being 2-0 up at one point. Therefore, the Gunners arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under a bit of pressure, followed by Manchester City's win on Saturday.

There may also have been an expectation that Tottenham could put further pressure onto their rival's title challenge and that they would be keen to impress in Igor Tudor's first game in charge.

However, there was not too much for the home fans to celebrate as Arsenal ran out 4-1 winners. Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres scored two goals each.

Randal Kolo Muani did pull a goal back for Spurs to level the game at 1-1, immediately after Eze gave the visitors the lead so there was an element of fighting spirit there. They could not stop Arsenal scoring more though.

Kolo Muani did have a strike ruled out in the second half and David Raya did make a great save at 3-1 to deny Richarlison and prevent any chance of a nervy finish.

Instead, Gyokoeres scored his second of the game deep into stoppage time and condemned Spurs to another defeat.

Here are four takeaways from the game:

Defensive issues again

Whilst, at times, Spurs can look a threat going forward, they were poor defensively.

They have conceded 41 goals this season and that is more than Nottingham Forest, who are a place below them in the table.

Defensively, they were always going to have to be strong to keep out an Arsenal side who are still favourites for the league title. The organisation at the back left a lot to be desired against Arteta's side though.

The players in red and white were able to run straight through the Spurs midfield and then the defenders could not get a tackle in on numerous occasions.

If Igor Tudor is to guide Spurs to a higher position in the Premier League table then he will need to start from the back and ensure that they cut out the errors and look more like a unit.

Scoring goals is one aspect of the game and, compared to Forest below them, that is not one of Spurs' biggest issues, but they concede too many goals to look competitive.

Spurs could not deliver a performance

Results are inevitably what is needed but Spurs could not deliver a performance to offer too much encouragement.

Previously, they have been able to deliver good performances in one-off games. Last season, they narrowly lost 1-0 and 2-1 to their North London rivals but there was not too much between the sides. This season both matches between the sides have finished 4-1 to Arsenal.

Eberechi Eze nearly signed for Spurs in the summer but opted for Arsenal instead. He has struggled for regular football under Arteta but has scored five goals against Spurs in the two games against them.

Last month, Spurs delivered a good second half display to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City. Following that there was a hope that it could be a turning point for former manager Thomas Frank and Spurs this season. It was not to be.

Their last league win came at the end of December and it is now nearly March. Their last home win goes back even further to the beginning of December.

No new manager bounce

It was never the ideal game for a new manager in the dugout but there was not much evidence of a lift since the departure of Thomas Frank.

Frank would have suggested that he was going to keep Spurs up and was building for the future but the club acted as they were creeping closer to the drop zone.

Igor Tudor has arrived and he faces a challenge ahead of him because Spurs look devoid of any confidence and momentum.

A positive result could have really given them the lift required and a belief that they can kick on and survive the drop.

Tudor will know, and even moreso after the Arsenal game, that it is not an easy club to walk into at the moment.

He will not be judged on this one game but there will be an expectation that he has learnt from this match, against a tough opponent, and that next week against Fulham his side are more competitive.

They rolled the dice and got rid of Frank but did not benefit from any new manager bounce against their rivals.

Arsenal represent consistency as Arteta rode the storm and has turned them into title contenders in recent seasons. Spurs are anything but that.

Could they be relegated?

A couple of weeks ago it may have seemed a strange suggestion to imagine a club like Tottenham Hotspur playing in the Championship but it is something that needs to be addressed.

They finished 17th last season under Ange Postecoglou. They did win the UEFA Europa League, but there were evident problems. A side that finished fifth in Postecoglou's first season ended up down the table. Had it not been for the three promoted sides being poor and being relegated again that season, Spurs may have been in more trouble.

This year, the worry is that they are down there again and Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are picking up points. Spurs have lost their last three games.

The problems cannot be ignored as they are just four points above the drop zone. They still have to play Forest and Leeds in a couple of weeks so they are potentially big games.

There are enough games left to turn it around and it could only take a couple of positive results. However, things need to improve and quickly if they are to move away from the question of relegation.

Dropping down a level would be costly for any side but for Spurs it would be hugely significant and one that many would not have predicted.

There will likely be an expectation from many that they will have enough to avoid the drop, but it will certainly be close and it is that kind of complacency that could be dangerous.

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