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Igor Tudor will take on Arsenal in North London derby action in his first match in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.

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Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Igor Tudor faces the tricky task of going up against league leaders Arsenal in his first match in charge of the side following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

The 47-year-old has been handed the hotseat until the end of the season and is tasked with steering Spurs away from a relegation battle. Tudor needs to get points on the board soon and a first clash with the Gunners is not an easy outing.

Spurs had seen their character as a squad criticised under Frank with the former Brentford manager struggling to maintain harmony within his team. Club captain Cristian Romero lashed out at the club’s fitness problems in Frank’s final week of tenure, before picking up a silly red card against Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta and Arsenal may be licking their lips at the prospect of facing an out-of-sorts Spurs but, according to one former Spurs academy star, the Gunners could be up against a new-look Tottenham.

Tottenham players will ‘run through brick walls’ for interim boss Igor Tudor

William Troost-Ekong came through the academy at Spurs but never made a first team appearance. He played under Tudor at Udinese and has said that the manager will have the squad ‘running through brick walls’ for him, in an enticing verdict.

He told talkSPORT: “He's a manager who likes to play 3-5-2, or a variation of it, of course, attacking football, a high back line, tries to press high, can be quite direct. He's definitely also someone who's not intimidated by anything like that. So, a big personality, and he's going to get everyone trying to run through a brick wall."

Tudor himself has given a first full interview to the club this week ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal. He said: “The first priority is to give everything the team needs in these moments. The team needs, I believe, first of all, to get some confidence, to get some courage, but also in the same way, the concrete things in the pitch.

“Of course, I'm coming here knowing the situation. There is no time to find excuses. What I said from the first day here, each of us, each of the players, needs to give something, something more, something extra, because the position of the Club in this moment is not (one) that anybody can accept - every fan of Tottenham (Hotspur) cannot accept the situation. We are aware of that, but it's not enough to just be aware of that.”

“The situation is not easy because, as you know better than me, we have a lot of injured players, so, we need first to find the best system that suits the players that are available at this moment. So, (it is) a very particular moment.

“Maybe this can sound strange, but I believe that the thing that we need to be focused on is the training. So, the training from today, that's the key, because, as I always like to say, Sunday and the game is a consequence of the training. So, that needs to be focused. The coach needs to show the path, where is the way we want to go, how we want to go, and the players need to accept this and together we, in this way, we prepare - preparing during the week is the best thing for Sunday.”

In other news, Sam Allardyce demands Igor Tudor to axe 'flawed' Tottenham player given free pass by Thomas Frank.

Nuno Espirito Santo will be without one of his January signings at West Ham for several weeks.

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West Ham have learnt that they will be without marquee January transfer signing Pablo Felipe for up to six weeks due to a calf problem in a significant blow to the club.

The Hammers paid £22 million to sign the forward from Gil Vicente at the start of January in a significant investment to boost the club’s chances of survival this season. Pablo has already made six appearances for the club and turned heads thanks to his attacking influence.

Nuno Espirito Santo had confirmed prior to the 1-1 draw with Manchester United that Pablo had picked up an injury and would need time one the sidelines. The player was also absent against Burton Albion at the weekend.

The Athletic now reports that Pablo will spend four to six weeks out of action for West Ham. That means that the forward will miss important fixtures against AFC Bournemouth, Liverpool, Brentford and Manchester City in the Premier League. He will also sit out of the upcoming FA Cup clash with London rivals Brentford.

West Ham injury could be Spurs and Nottingham Forest boost

West Ham had struggled for attacking impetus this season before the arrival of Pablo, as well as Taty Castellanos, in January. The striker’s injury could come as a boost to Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, who are very aware of the Hammers’ recent form.

Forest are just one place and three points above West Ham, while Tottenham are two places and five points away from the drop zone. Both Forest and Spurs have struggled for form of late with West Ham’s consistency closing the gap. Any stutter that may be caused by Pablo’s absence will be a boost for those Premier League rivals.

Pablo could return for the trip to Aston Villa on March 22 and West Ham then have seven fixtures left of the campaign for Pablo to make an impact. While the forward is yet to score for West Ham, he has quickly become a fan favourite thanks to his attitude on the pitch.

Speaking after his first start against QPR last month, Pablo said: “This game was an incredible experience. It was incredible to play in a crowded stadium, with the fans always supporting us. They always give us the grit and courage to keep fighting, and I think that made a big difference.

“We always try to play for the fans, to run and win for them too. It was a difficult win in the end, but with the sacrifice of the team we eventually got the result we wanted.

“Taty and Cry were important for us - they not only scored the goals, but they showed dedication offensively and defensively. I think the whole group deserves credit, for the performances and the sacrifices we made on the pitch.

“Today is an experience I’ll never forget, and we’re very happy to get the win in the end and get through to the next round. Hopefully we can build on it now.”

In other news, West Ham's survival bid: Predicted final table and how their run-in compares to Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.

The veteran Premier League manager believes that Spurs must make a ruthless decision regarding one defender at the club.

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Ex Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has called on Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Igor Tudor to make the ruthless call of dropping centre-back Cristian Romero after Thomas Frank failed to get control of the centre-back.

Tudor has been appointed in charge of the side until the end of the season following the sacking of Frank and will look to guide the club away from the threat of relegation. Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League and just five points above a resurgent West Ham in 18th.

One player who may have ultimately cost Frank his job is Cristian Romero. The Argentina international made the headlines for all the wrong reasons during the manager’s final week in the post.

Sam Allardyce slams ‘irrational’ Cristian Romero

Romero lashed out at the club’s ‘disgraceful’ injury crisis and had been defended publicly by Frank, the manager insisting that the issue had been handled internally. The defender then went flying into a tackle against Manchester United and saw a straight red card, picking up a four match ban and costing his side the chance of a result against the Red Devils.

For Allardyce, stripping the player of captaincy and leaving him out the side may be the best call for Tudor. He told the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: “Cristian Romero is one of those typical players who just doesn’t learn. He’s got so much talent, but so many flaws which he hasn’t eradicated. He’s still making the same mistakes as when he first signed for Tottenham.

“Either he gets stripped of the captaincy, or someone says to him, ‘stay on your feet, I don’t want you to go to ground when you tackle anymore’, and if he continues to do it, then take him out of the side. He’s giving his managers a bad reputation for not being able to control him.

“If you’re a centre-half, your first priority is being a defender, not how good you are with the ball – that’s only an added bonus. Romero is just so irrational, which is alright when you first join a club, but he should have been nailed by Thomas Frank for it and he wasn’t.”

In other news, Arsenal and Tottenham handed £70m transfer clue in potential huge Newcastle United boost.

Tottenham are being linked with a move for a midfielder, but they are not alone.

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Tottenham could be beaten to a reported summer transfer target who could be available on a reduced fee. Spurs face an uncertain few months as they prepare to battle relegation under new interim boss Igor Tudor, who has taken over from Thomas Frank.

Tudor has only signed a deal until the summer, and it looks unlikely he will remain in place beyond that. Spurs are likely already searching for a new long-term replacement, perhaps beginning that search by finding out if Mauricio Pochettino will take over after his World Cup campaign with USMNT.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s recruitment chief will already be doing their homework ahead of the summer as they look to strengthen the current group. Spurs clearly need a stronger squad, given their league position, and there have been clear shortcomings by the club’s recruitment staff over the last year, in particular.

Spurs need a summer of smart shopping after a disappointing winter window, and according to reports, they are showing interest in a Championship talent in Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.

Hackney has played a key role in Middlesbrough’s success this season, with Boro second in the Championship table. The holding midfielder has made 32 league appearances, scoring five times and providing six assists.

Given his age and potential, Hayden is valued at £21.8million by Transfermarkt, but he is out of contract in 2027 as things stand, and that could mean he is available on a reduced fee.

Man Utd ‘enter the race’

The bad news for Tottenham is that Manchester United are said to have stepped into the race. According to TEAMtalk, United are interested in a move for Hackney as they look to add depth to their midfield, with Casemiro leaving this summer.

Hackney has worked under Michael Carrick previously, so the Red Devils could have an advantage if the transfer battle does play out. Though, Tottenham could likely offer a quicker path to starts, and they do need a new holding midfielder to replace Yves Bissouma, who will almost certainly leave at the end of his contract this summer.

Much of the possible race is likely to come down to whether Boro get promoted, with the North-East club currently in second and five points clear of nearest challenger Millwall. Should Boro go up, Hackney may well be inclined to stay, given he can play every week in the Premier League, although there will be an outstanding question over whether he will extend his contract or allow it to run down.

Hackney praise

Speaking in December, Boro boss Kim Hellberg was full of praise for Hackney. He told the Northern Echo: “Hayden is a fantastic player. He’s good at everything. He could play in every position there is on the pitch and do it brilliantly.

“He has all of that, but then he has also been the captain in these last two games and has been leading the squad so well. You could see his happiness when everyone else scored [at Hull] – he is such a good guy, for every goal, whether it was the first one or we were going four up, he was so happy for the people who were scoring, he was running to them and celebrating for them.

“He was such a good captain in terms of doing everything for the team. He was getting in the box, he was getting everywhere on the pitch, and then when somebody else scored, he was too them so quickly to congratulate them and the player who played them the ball.

“He was such a good captain, and he is such a good guy for the team. When you watch him play football, everyone can see that he is brilliant. But it is everything else around that that has impressed me so much with him.”

A look at Tottenham’s survival bid and how their run-in compares to those of their rivals.

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Tottenham now find themselves involved in a relegation battle as they prepare to start a new era - albeit a temporary one - under new interim boss Igor Tudor. Tudor has taken over until the end of the season following the sacking of Thomas Frank, and the top of his priorities will be to keep Tottenham in the Premier League.

Spurs have a five-point advantage over West Ham in the last safe spot, but the Iron are in good form, and the relegation battle is now coming to life. Here we take a look at the current situation, the predicted final table and each of the run-ins of the relegation candidates to see whether Tottenham have a good chance of staying in the top flight.

The current table

Here is the current relegation battle picture, excluding Wolves given they are cut adrift and not involved in the relegation battle.

The predicted final table

Here is the predicted final table, according to OPTA’s prediction model, which used multiple simulations to get the most likely final outcome.

Run-ins compared

Here are the final run-ins of all of the teams involved in the fight for saftey. Here we also keep out Burnley, given they are almost certain to join Wolves in the Championship.

Leeds United’s run-in

Aston Villa (A), Man City (H), Sunderland (H), Crystal Palace (A), Brentford (H), Man Utd (A), Wolves (H), AFC Bournemouth (A), Burnley (H), Tottenham (A), Brighton (H), West Ham (A).

Tottenham’s run-in

Arsenal (H), Fulham (A), Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A), Nottingham Forest (H), Sunderland (A), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Aston Villa (A), Leeds United (H), Chelsea (A), Everton (H).

Nottingham Forest’s run-in

Liverpool (H), Brighton (A), Man City (A), Fulham (H), Tottenham (A), Aston Villa (H), Burnley (H), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (A), Newcastle United (H), Man Utd (A), AFC Bournemouth (H).

West Ham’s run-in

AFC Bournemouth (H), Liverpool (A), Fulham (A), Man City (H), Aston Villa (A), Wolves (H), Crystal Palace (A), Everton (H), Brentford (A), Arsenal (H), Newcastle United (A), Leeds United (H).

Where Tottenham can get their points

Tottenham need 11 points to get to the magic 40-point total, but for argument’s sake, let’s say they need 12 points to be sure of safety. Looking at their run-in, there are some games that stand out as clear opportunities to pick up those points.

Crystal Palace at home, Nottingham Forest at home, Wolves and Leeds United at home are the games they need to win for a start, given they are in a battle with two of those clubs. Elsewhere, there are more tricky games that Spurs should be looking to get points from like Fulham away, Brighton at home and Everton at home.

Ignoring all of the other run-ins, just looking at those Tottenham fixtures, there is no excuse for them not to get at least 12 points, if not 15-18. On paper, even with their poor form, Spurs should comfortably secure safety, and there will be big questions to be answered if they do not.

Tottenham now have an indication of when they will get a key player back from injury.

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Tottenham could be set for a fitness boost in the coming weeks amid fears over a serious injury. Spurs are preparing to start the interim era of Igor Tudor, with the former Juventus boss having taken over until the end of the season following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Tudor’s main job will be to keep Tottenham in the Premier League, given they have fallen to within five points of the drop zone, but there is also an opportunity to put a run together in the Champions League.

It’s unlikely Tudor will get the job full time unless he can manage a truly superb run, and Tottenham do not currently look as though they are capable of such a run, especially not with the injuries they are currently dealing with.

One of the injury absentees is Lucas Bergvall, who picked up an ankle injury last month. Speaking at the time, Frank said: “Unfortunately, Lucas picked up an ankle injury. We keep being very unlucky with injuries, and it looks like it could be a longer one. He's been assessed these two days, so time frame, I’ll know more about in the next couple of days."

Later, reports in Sweden claimed that Bergvall would be out for two to three months, and that he could miss Sweden’s World Cup qualifier in March. But in a possible good news update, Fotboll Direkt claim the creative Spurs star is out of his protective boot and working towards a return in six weeks.

It’s claimed Bergvall could yet make that all-important Sweden game, although it will be a race against time, and there would have to be no setbacks in his recovery. As for Tottenham, it seems very likely Bergvall will be back for their April 11 clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, which is the first club game after the international break.

Tottenham are expected to further strengthen in midfield with Arsenal also potentially in the market for a new recruit.

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Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been provided a transfer hint for how much it could cost to bring AC Milan midfielder Christian Pulisic back to the Premier League this summer.

Spurs splurged £35 million on former Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher in January but the season’s injury record and lack of experience in the centre of the park could result in that position being targeted again come the summer.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are blessed for midfield talent but Mikel Arteta had hinted at a potential acquisition on Deadline Day following an injury to Mikel Merino. Former Chelsea man Pulisic is a name linked with both London sides.

CaughtOffside report that Spurs see Pulisic as the ‘dynamic wide option they’ve been missing’ while Arsenal have admired his ability to provide goals from midfield. Manchester United are also said to be in the mix.

Pulisic signed for AC Milan from Chelsea in 2023 for £20 million. He’s gone on to plunder 42 goals in 121 outings for the Serie A giants.

Arsenal and Spurs learn £70m Christian Pulisic asking price

The outlet claims that AC Milan would be open to selling Pulisic amid interest from the Premier League, with the player also open to a return to the top flight. However, it’s reported that a move would cost between €70–80 million - which could be up to £70 million.

News that Pulisic could be a viable target for Arsenal and Spurs comes as a boost for Newcastle United in their hopes of keeping hold of Sandro Tonali. The Italian international had been linked with a late move to Arsenal at the end of the winter window with the feeling that those rumours could pick up pace again in the summer.

Tonali dazzled at the weekend with a brace in the 3-1 FA Cup win over Aston Villa. Speaking after the game, former Magpies man Alan Shearer confronted transfer talk.

He told The Rest is Football: “They all have to step up [in Bruno Guimaraes’ absence]. Tonali did that. We said that before the game, who is the one that is going to step up and take the captain's place and do what he's done so many times for Newcastle is either play that killer pass, produce something special to get the result? And Tonali did that yesterday.

“ I saw that as well [links to Arsenal]. I don't know whether it's an agency connected with him or not. I don't know. I'm not sure. He hasn't hit the heights a lot of times this season from what he did to last season.

“I loved his reaction yesterday. I loved all of the players' reactions, particularly against Spurs, when they pushed Eddie Howe forward to the front of the fans.

“I don't know whether you saw the interview but Tonali and Kieran Trippier both praised Eddie Howe and what he's done and how much they love working with him and all of that. I really enjoyed that and I thought that was great. I think judging by his reaction, then I wouldn't look too serious into it.”

In other news, Arsenal battling Bundesliga duo to sign Real Madrid talent who could succeed Gabriel Magalhaes.

Manchester City are admirers of a Premier League midfielder who had been on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur.

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Tottenham Hotspur face serious competition should the London outfit wish to reignite transfer interest in Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White at the end of the season.

Spurs appeared to have been in an advanced position to sign the 26-year-old but the deal fell through with Nottingham Forest taking issue with a £60 million bid. Just as it looked as if Gibbs-White could be on his way to the capital, he penned a new deal at The City Ground.

Tottenham have since invested £35 million in former Atletico Madrid man Conor Gallagher but are expected to further recruit in the centre of the park come the end of the difficult current season. Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray are both still young with James Maddison still injury prone and Xavi Simons needing time to adapt to the Premier League.

A return move for Gibbs-White could be on the cards should Nottingham Forest be relegated to the Championship. It seems unlikely that the player would remain in the Midlands to compete in the Championship.

Man City linked with Tottenham target Morgan Gibbs-White

Forest, who have just parted ways with Sean Dyche and appointed Vitor Pereira, sit 17th in the division and just three points above the drop zone. The team still have the Europa League to juggle, alongside their Premier League struggles, and the resurgent form of 18th placed West Ham is a cause for concern.

ManchesterWorld claims that Tottenham are still interested in the player but cite a report from Football Insider claiming that Manchester City are seriously considering the move. The Cityzens could see Bernardo Silva leave as a free agent on the expiry of his contract and may also look to cash in on Jack Grealish following his successful loan spell at Everton.

That could make space for a Gibbs-White swoop with a £70 million fee being touted to take the player to the Etihad Stadium. It’s added that the asking price could be reduced should Forest be relegated, which could be of interest to Spurs too.

Football Insider believe that it is ‘inevitable’ the player will leave should the club be relegated this season and name Aston Villa as potential suitors alongside Spurs and Man City.

In other news, Tim Sherwood sends 'catastrophic' Tottenham warning after Igor Tudor decision.

Tottenham Hotspur fans continue to fill the stadium despite a woeful home record in the Premier League this season.

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Spurs fans haven’t had an easy time of it at home this season with a mere two Premier League victories at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium so far. Under Thomas Frank, the North London outfit registered seven defeats and four draws at the ground.

Despite the tough times, the crowds coming through the gates at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium remain one of the biggest in the division this season. Spurs rank in the top three for the Premier League attendance table but are beaten by one Premier League rival.

With Arsenal flying high and Chelsea in fine form, there are big crowds at the Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge, but it’s another rival in the capital pulling in the biggest gate. LondonWorld looks at the figures as per Transfermarkt.

Premier League attendances ranked

The average attendance at Vitality Stadium this season is 11,166 with the stadium capacity at 11,307.

The average attendance at Gtech Community Stadium this season is 17,107 with the stadium capacity at 17,250.

The average attendance at Turf Moor this season is 21,140 with the stadium capacity at 21,994.

The average attendance at Selhurst Park this season is 25,028 with the stadium capacity at 25,486.

The average attendance at Craven Cottage this season is 27,132 with the stadium capacity at 29,589.

The average attendance at Molineux this season is 29,768 with the stadium capacity at 31,750.

The average attendance at The City Ground this season is 30,443 with the stadium capacity at 30,404.

The average attendance at AMEX Stadium this season is 31,306 with the stadium capacity at 31,876.

The average attendance at Elland Road this season is 36,714 with the stadium capacity at 37,890.

The average attendance at Stamford Bridge this season is 39,673 with the stadium capacity at 41,631.

The average attendance at Villa Park this season is 41,685 with the stadium capacity at 42,918.

The average attendance at Stadium of Light this season is 46,247 with the stadium capacity at 48,707.

The average attendance at St James' Park this season is 52,053 with the stadium capacity at 52,258.

The average attendance at Hill Dickinson Stadium this season is 52,170 with the stadium capacity at 52,769.

The average attendance at Etihad Stadium this season is 52,226 with the stadium capacity at 55,097.

The average attendance at Emirates Stadium this season is 60,213 with the stadium capacity at 60,704.

The average attendance at Anfield this season is 60,393 with the stadium capacity at 61,276.

The average attendance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season is 60,912 with the stadium capacity at 62,850.

The average attendance at London Stadium this season is 62,453 with the stadium capacity at 62,500.

The average attendance at Old Trafford this season is 73,981 with the stadium capacity at 74,879.

In other news, Tim Sherwood sends 'catastrophic' Tottenham warning after Igor Tudor decision.

A tricky stint at Tottenham Hotspur has not worsened Thomas Frank's reputation in the Premier League.

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Crystal Palace and Fulham are ‘actively assessing’ the possibility of appointing Thomas Frank as manager this summer following the coach’s sacking from Tottenham Hotspur last week.

The 52-year-old endured a difficult eight months in charge in North London with a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Tuesday night proving to be the fatal blow for his tenure. Frank left Tottenham in 16th place in the Premier League and just five points above the drop zone.

Frank had arrived in the job from Brentford as one of the top flight’s most respected managers. The Dane spent seven years with the Bees, bringing them into the Premier League from the Championship and establishing the club in the division.

Crystal Palace and Fulham consider Thomas Frank appointment

TEAMtalk reports that, despite a tumultuous tenure at Spurs, Frank remains very highly regarded by clubs in the Premier League and is expected to be able to make a swift return to the dugout. London sides Crystal Palace and Fulham join AFC Bournemouth in considering appointing the manager.

Crystal Palace know that they will lose Oliver Glasner at the end of the season with the Austrian confirming that he will not sign a new contract. Meanwhile, Marco Silva is also set to see his deal expire at Craven Cottage with Andoni Iraola in a similar position at the Vitality Stadium.

The report claims that ‘each club is carrying out its due diligence’ but are ‘actively’ looking at potential talks with Frank. It’s added that the manager’s ability to ‘maximise undervalued talent’ and work within the structure of sporting directors has earned him credit.

Frank never publicly fell out with the Spurs board, even maintaining that he had the backing of club chiefs following the defeat to Newcastle United. The likes of Glasner and Silva have both been outspoken in criticising their clubs’ approaches to recent transfer windows.

Spurs have since appointed Igor Tudor as an interim boss with a permanent appointment expected in the summer. Speaking about the change in management this week, sporting director Johan Lange said: "Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact. Our objective is straightforward - to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League."

In other news, 'Clear leading candidate' - Fabrizio Romano gives Tottenham next manager update amid Man City links.