Football London

Igor Tudor has confirmed Djed Spence will miss Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Thursday.

The defender missed the weekend trip to Fulham with a calf injury, with Archie Gray filling in at left-back. There had been hope that Spence may be fit to return against the Eagles but Tudor insisted the game has come too soon for the 25-year-old.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday, interim head coach Tudor said: "Djed Spence is out. Kevin [Danso] came back in the last game." Asked for a timeframe for Spence's return, Tudor added: "We hope for the Champions League game."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The Croatian confirmed there was no other news regarding the progress of Destiny Udogie or Dejan Kulusevski. Elsewhere, Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies and Lucas Bergvall remain out due to injury. Cristian Romero, meanwhile, is suspended.

Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League having picked up just 29 points from 28 matches this season. Tudor's side are just four points above West Ham, who currently occupy 18th. Palace, meanwhile, are six points ahead of Tottenham in 14th.

On needing the supporters in the remaining months of the season, Tudor said: "Very important. The players feel everything. Every bit of applause and encouragement. The fans can feel that on the pitch and how the energy is spreading."

Spurs have reportedly written to Howard Webb to voice their concerns over decisions against the club this season

Tottenham Hotspur have written to Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Howard Webb over their concerns with recent refereeing decisions, according to reports.

Spurs are said to have been left disgruntled by decisions, with BBC Sport reporting that the complaint from the north London club surrounds inconsistent decisions that have led to goals being allowed or disallowed as a result of contact inside the penalty area. It has been claimed that the club believe they have been on the wrong side of a number of key decisions this season with the latest coming on Sunday in their 2-1 defeat to Fulham.

Raul Jimenez escaped punishment for his role in the opening goal when he collided with defender Radu Dragusin before the ball fell to Harry Wilson, who opened the scoring. It was said that the contact from the Mexican did not meet the threshold for a foul.

It follows on from Randal Kolo Muani's effort against Arsenal being chalked off during the defeat to their north London rivals. Officials adjudged that Arsenal defender Gabriel had been pushed by the Frenchman before firing past David Raya.

A similar incident occurred earlier in the season during Liverpool's win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Hugo Ekitike leapt above Cristian Romero to head home, which proved decisive as then-manager Thomas Frank saw his side edged out by the Reds.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The video assistant referee (VAR) did not intervene on both decisions, while they were checked, but both decisions remained with the on-field referee.

Interim manager Igor Tudor was left incensed by the decision to let Fulham's opener stand. He said: "Their first goal changes the situation on the pitch. It's a big refereeing mistake.

"There's no consistency last week, what happened today was incredible. The referee was incredible today – not giving a goal there is madness.

"It's about consistency of the decision, they need to understand even if it is a soft touch but he is not watching the ball, it is a foul. He [Jimenez] gained an advantage and they scored. You need to give these fouls.

"I didn't like the referee today, too much of a home team referee. I didn't feel well with him. All the decisions were on their side.

"He doesn't understand football, the feeling of what is wrong and what is right. He [Jimenez] was not thinking about the ball, he was thinking how to cheat, he cheated the player, was pushing, it was cheating and it's a foul.

"Ninety-nine of 100 people will say it's a foul, it's so obvious."

Spurs sit in a precarious position in the Premier League table as they face the threat of being relegated, just 12 months after winning the Europa League.

They are just four points clear of the bottom three with West Ham United currently occupying the final relegation place.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be looking to return to winning ways after Liverpool ended their four-match unbeaten run in all competitions, last time out. Spurs welcome Crystal Palace on Thursday in a blockbuster London derby with a lot on the line for both clubs.

Igor Tudor was brought in to steady the ship and lead Tottenham Hotspur to safety, but he's yet to win a game

Paul Robinson believes that Tottenham Hotspur would escape relegation from the Premier League if Igor Tudor had 'a team full of Richarlisons'. The Lilywhites have been drawn into a fight for survival, with just four points separating them from the drop zone.

Igor Tudor, who was appointed interim head coach last month, was brought in to transform Spurs' fortunes, but he's lost his first two games in charge. The former Juventus boss will be desperate to turn things around when Tottenham host Crystal Palace on Thursday night.

Then, before the international break, the Lilywhites will face Liverpool at Anfield and Nottingham Forest on home turf. In an interview with Betfred, Robinson claimed that he doesn't know when Tottenham will get any more points on the board.

The former Spurs goalkeeper said: "I’m worried for my old team. I really am. I’m not seeing anything from them at the moment that suggests they can get out of it.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"The new manager’s come in and he’s played three at the back against Arsenal, with a central midfielder as one of the centre-halves. He’s played four-at-the-back against Fulham, with Archie Gray as left-back, and he made three substitutions at half-time.

"It suggests to me that he’s desperately looking for a formula, and he doesn’t really know the players that he’s got. For a new manager bounce, you come in, and you make yourselves strong and hard to beat."

Robinson added: "I know Richarlison may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but with a team full of Richarlisons, you stay in the Premier League with the attitude and the application he’s got.

"They look like a team devoid of ideas. They’ve got a very big game this weekend against Crystal Palace before going away to Anfield, where you suspect it’s going to be very hard to get anything, and then it’s Nottingham Forest at home.

"When I watched that Tottenham team against Fulham, I was thinking about where the next win was going to come from. They have the joint-second-worst home record in the league with Burnley.

"They’ve won two Premier League games at home this season, and when you think there are winnable games at home, nothing’s winnable at the moment for Tottenham.

"I’m worried about them, but I think they’ll be okay because I don’t think Nottingham Forest and West Ham United will pick up as many points as they need to.

"At the moment though, I’m struggling to see where Tottenham’s next points come from. I’m not so sure, and convinced, of the manager."

In the next couple of weeks, Tottenham must also lock horns with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The Spanish giants will host the first leg of the last-16 at the Metropolitano on Tuesday, March 10, before Tudor's side return the favour the following week.

Spurs are over 20 points adrift of fourth place in the Premier League, so they'll have to achieve qualification to the Champions League by winning the competition itself...

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly deeply unimpressed by new academy scout Neros Coachman after the Arsenal fan made jokes about the club on social media

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly been left disgruntled after a new staff member, who supports Arsenal, made light of the club on social media. Remarks by Neros Coachman were noticed by Spurs supporters and have now reached the attention of the club's top brass, who are said to be contemplating action.

Despite being an Arsenal supporter, Coachman has joined Spurs as an academy scout. He announced his new position on social media, highlighting his footballing loyalties.

On Instagram, he posted: "Its official. I'm now here, I sat and had the conversation and the project was exciting to say the least. Now looking forward to getting the new set of superstars to the club. You know the projects good when your a boyhood Arsenal fan and you switch sides."

However, it was the responses to this post that left some feeling sour. One comment read: "Do not let that badge touch your skin," to which Coachman retorted: "I've already got the base layer."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Another user wrote: "We need someone on the inside," with Coachman replying "shhhhh". When another individual posted a picture of a snake, he responded: "I know, I know, it's deserved haha."

His comments were swiftly noticed by Tottenham supporters, who circulated them on X. A post from The Spurs Express, which has since accumulated nearly 500,000 views, said: "It is quite bizarre that, seemingly, a newly appointed member of staff at #Tottenham, who is a strong Arsenal fan, is openly mocking the club and joking about not wanting the badge to touch his skin, how 'it was tough' to put on Tottenham attire, and how he'll be an 'inside man'.

"These are jokes, of course, but it doesn't seem particularly befitting, given that he has taken up a role at #Spurs."

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

According to The Daily Mail (via the Mirror), the club has responded and is 'deeply unimpressed', with potential disciplinary measures being considered against Coachman, who has since made his Instagram account private. However, his response via Instagram story was captured before this occurred.

He wrote: "This is wild. Yes I'm and Arsenal Fan And yes I was joking with friends. As an arsenal fan of course I was joking about with friends regarding putting on a spurs kit.."

The timing of Coachman's comments is particularly unfortunate, coinciding with Tottenham's difficult campaign and their recent 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. The side currently occupies 16th position in the Premier League, sitting four points clear of the relegation places, having failed to secure victory in their last 10 league fixtures.

Igor Tudor has been appointed as Thomas Frank's successor but has began his tenure with consecutive losses in the Premier League.

They welcome Crystal Palace on Thursday before shifting their focus to the Champions League last 16, where they will take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg on Tuesday.

Tottenham Hotspur are in 16th place in the Premier League table and just four points above the relegation zone

Tottenham Hotspur have been sent a warning about their chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Spurs were on the receiving end of another defeat at the weekend as they lost 2-1 away at Fulham.

Igor Tudor has now lost both of his opening two matches since being appointed as the club’s interim head coach until the end of the season, having also lost 4-1 to Arsenal in the North London Derby last month.

Spurs now find themselves in 16th place in the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone. They will now prepare to face Crystal Palace on Thursday night, where they could find themselves further down the standings by the time kick-off arrives.

With another test in the Premier League in midweek, former Arsenal star Paul Merson has handed a prediction for Tottenham’s clash against Palace.

Merson has tipped Palace to claim a 2-1 win over Tottenham, and also explained why Spurs are more likely to get relegated compared to other teams in the running like Nottingham Forest and West Ham.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

The Sky Sports pundit also believes former Tottenham star Brennan Johnson, who left Spurs to join Palace in the January transfer window, could cause problems for his former club.

"I would have said Tottenham [to win], but I saw Crystal Palace's last few games and I think if they start well and get a goal early in this game, that will be it," Merson told Sportskeeda.

"I just can't put my name against Tottenham. I don't see how they can win this football match. Spurs will not get relegated because they have decent fixtures coming up. But I'm not sure they can start winning games straightaway.

"Forest and West Ham can sit back and try to get draws in their games. But because Tottenham are Tottenham, they are a big club and they have to go for the win in games. I have a feeling that this could play into Palace's hands here.

"Palace went to Old Trafford and took the lead in that game. Ismaila Sarr and Brennan Johnson can hurt Spurs down the wings.

"It will be unbelievable if Tottenham lost this game. And it feels like we might just witness it!"

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.

Tottenham could face major financial problems if relegated from the Premier League and it is Daniel Levy that still appears to be having a huge impact

"It’s one of those situations [where] when I’m not here I’m sure I’ll get the credit."

That was the bold response from Daniel Levy to Tottenham Hotspur supporters following major backlash for sacking Ange Postecoglou after delivering what the club had so badly craved for nearly two decades. While the anger was justified - especially given how bad Thomas Frank's spell went - Levy looks to have been proven right.

The latest indication of that being the case emerged on Monday morning with The Athletic reporting that most of Spurs' players have relegation clauses in their contracts, inserted by Levy, and dropping down to the Championship would result in a 50 per cent salary reduction.

Financially, relegation could cause serious problems for Tottenham with lower matchday revenue, TV money and several other factors impacting their income. Player wages also have to be considered with a major overhaul expected regardless of what division Spurs are in.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Levy's decision to make this decision was a prime example of his foresight and business mind, with it clear that regardless of the fact Spurs were miles away from actually being relegated last season, despite finishing fourth bottom, there was concern they could be in that position again.

Though the club's former chairman, who departed soon after inserting the relegation clause, was regularly criticised for a lack of ambition in the transfer window, his sustainable approach put Tottenham in a position to not be overly concerned by breaking profit and sustainability rules.

Changes to the club's approach in a trading period were somewhat on display with big moves made for Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus last summer. Spurs also tried to sign Eberechi Eze but were beaten to his signature by bitter rivals Arsenal.

In January, Conor Gallagher signed from Atletico Madrid and Spurs him one of the club's highest-paid players. Obviously, his wage would go down significantly if Tottenham dropped down a division, that is if he even chose to stay.

Experienced players such as Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero would almost certainly depart while young talents like Lucas Bergvall, Archie Gray and even Luka Vuskovic, with the latter not even playing for the club yet, could be sold.

Perhaps one positive for the Lilywhites in the second-tier would be easy integration of prospects such as Mikey Moore, Kota Takai, Luca Williams-Barnett and Yang Min-hyeok.

Regardless of that, Tottenham will unsurprisingly not want to be relegated and the players have ten games to prove exactly that. They currently sit four points off the bottom three with West Ham United and Nottingham Forest in more precarious positions.

At least if the absolute worst-case scenario does play out, Levy will have helped the club avoid a financial nightmare and it is rather fitting that a man criticised for not spending big stops the club from falling to their knees even after he has left.

Tottenham made initial checks on the Chelsea man as they continue their sporting director search

Tottenham have made contact over a potential move for Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley, as they search for a replacement for Fabio Paratici to work alongside Johan Lange.

Spurs are stepping up their search for a new sporting director, with checks made on potential candidates. One of those was Winstanley, who has been with Chelsea since joining from Brighton in 2022.

football.london understands that Tottenham have made initial checks on the Chelsea man’s availability, but sources close to Chelsea insist that he is not going anywhere. Winstanley has a contract at Stamford Bridge until 2031.

Spurs have also been linked with an interest in former Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman. The 51-year-old left Selhurst Park just under a year ago, and is currently the sporting director with Saudi second-tier side Al-Diriyah FC.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Whoever the new sporting director may be at Tottenham, he is likely to have a big say on the managerial decision facing the club in the summer. Igor Tudor arrived on an interim basis last month, but has lost his two Premier League games in charge so far.

Spurs will be on the lookout for a permanent successor to Thomas Frank in the summer. They have been heavily linked with a move for former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentine is currently manager of the USA national team, but could possibly be available after this summer's World Cup.

If Tottenham do push further for Winstanley, then it could be a good sign in a potential pursuit of Pochettino, with the two working together previously at Stamford Bridge.

Pochettino was appointed by Chelsea in the summer of 2023, with Winstanley likely to have played a big part in his arrival. The two worked together for just under a year before Pochettino was sacked in June 2024.

Speaking last week, Pochettino has hinted that he could be open to a summer return to Spurs, six-and-a-half years after his exit.

**Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. **Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

“I'm always linked (to clubs). To Tottenham, just like at one time I was linked to Espanyol, or to other clubs,” he said

"In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren't going well, people tend to fall back on emotion and say, 'Well, with Mauricio we played good football,' or whatever it may be.

"But no, we're focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we'll see what might happen. Open to everything, right?"

EXCLUSIVE: Martin Keown makes Cristian Romero transfer prediction and sets Tottenham relegation deadline

Martin Keown has offered Tottenham Hotspur some words of wisdom ahead of Thursday night's clash against Crystal Palace, which will be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+

Martin Keown believes Tottenham Hotspur should consider selling Cristian Romero at the end of the season.

The 27-year-old defender has missed each of Spurs' last three games in the English top-flight due to suspension after he was sent off during the defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford last month. Having already been dismissed earlier in the season, a red card against Liverpool in December, Romero extended his suspension to four matches.

The Lilywhites have struggled in his absence, losing all three of the games. Romero will be available for selection again when Tottenham face Liverpool at Anfield next week, but he must watch the Crystal Palace clash on Thursday night from the sidelines.

While there are question marks over the Argentina international's discipline, Keown has tipped him to play a key role in Spurs' pursuit for Premier League safety. The Arsenal legend spoke to football.london ahead of the upcoming Premier League fixtures, which will all be broadcast on TNT Sports and discovery+.

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

"I think that's been really expensive for the club, and he's one of the players that they have to really look at as to whether he's part of the future," said Keown. "Because, you know, he's ill-disciplined."

The TNT Sports pundit added: "You need him back. They need one win, and they get out of trouble. I'm not sure where that's coming now. They've lost their focus on where they are as a club. The whole culture at that football club is going to have to change."

Tottenham are four points adrift of the relegation zone, and they've got three games to climb the table before the March international break. On Igor Tudor, who was appointed interim head coach last month, Keown continued: "They brought somebody in, like a trouble-shooter from out of town, who doesn't understand the Premier League in the same way.

"They became so impatient with Thomas Frank. I think Thomas Frank would have handled it until the end of the season. And if they wanted to make a change, they could make a change."

Keown added: "Maybe van de Ven is a player who developed more under Thomas Frank than anyone else, who has now kind of downed tools a little bit because he’s lost his manager. I don't know...

"But, it's not got better since he (Tudor) came in there. He looked, after an hour against Arsenal, that he was struggling to get a reaction from his team. So, I mean, Palace is an interesting one, because Palace now is not quite what they were since Glasner announced he was leaving.

"But I think they might go there and enjoy, you know, this local rivalry. It’s big. But, when you see the pressure on someone else, people enjoy it, don't they? You've seen that with Arsenal.

"So, they've got to get something quickly because this swing is mushrooming and getting bigger every day, and the pressure is really building on Spurs. And I'm pretty well certain that – we talk about meetings, crisis meetings – there's got to be one there today because they need to get some results from fast.

"There’s the game against Forest, which kind of feels like a winner-takes-all. They’re only one win away, really, but where's that wing coming from?"

UEFA have decided to charge the north London club over incidents at their Champions League match at Frankfurt in January

UEFA have handed Tottenham a fine and a suspended ban on away fans for a future UEFA competition game after three of their supporters were reported for carrying out Nazi salutes at Frankfurt in January.

The club were sanctioned after a trio of fans made the salutes in Germany at Spurs' 2-0 Champions League victory against Eintracht Frankfurt. Those supporters are believed to have been banned by the club after the incident and now the decision of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has been announced.

The CEDB confirmed that they have decided "to fine Tottenham Hotspur €30,000 and to ban Tottenham Hotspur from selling tickets to its away supporters for the next one UEFA competition match, for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters. Said ban from selling tickets to its away supporters is suspended for a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision. To fine Tottenham Hotspur €2,250 for throwing of objects."

In a statement, Spurs responded to the charge: "The club has been informed of sanctions handed down to us by UEFA following the utterly abhorrent conduct of a small number of individuals at our recent Champions League away match in Frankfurt.

"The club has cooperated fully with UEFA's investigation, as well as with German police on the night and, subsequently, the Met Police.

"We can confirm that all three individuals found to be making Nazi salutes towards Eintracht Frankfurt fans have been identified and have received indefinite bans under the club’s Sanctions and Banning Policy.

"The club stands firmly against all forms of discrimination and has therefore taken the strongest possible action. The disgusting behaviour of a minority of so-called fans on the night is in no way reflective of the values of our club and its supporters."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE! Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Under then head coach Thomas Frank, Tottenham won the game in Germany with goals from Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke, which enabled them to finish fourth in the Champions League table.

That placed them in the round of 16 where interim head coach Igor Tudor will lead the north London club against Atletico Madrid. The first leg takes place on Tuesday, March 10 in the Spanish city while the return tie will be played out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Wednesday March 18.

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has provided his verdict on Harry Wilson's controversial Fulham goal in the win over Tottenham

Tottenham have been handed a new referee verdict after Harry Wilson's controversial goal for Fulham. Spurs went behind after just seven minutes when Wilson volleyed home a loose ball, with the restart delayed by VAR checking for a potential foul on Radu Dragusin, though the goal was given.

Igor Tudor and several Spurs players were left fuming by the decision and their feelings only got worse later in the half when Alex Iwobi made it 2-0 to the host. Richarlison pulled one back in the second 45 but the Lilywhites were unable to find an equaliser and thus it is four consecutive Premier League defeats.

The threat of relegation was a major talking point after the game with Fulham's first goal also taking centre stage. Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has now shared his thoughts on the incident.

On Sky Sports' Ref Watch, he said: "I didn't think it was a foul when I saw it in real time and I don't think it is a foul now.

"It's a case of the players are up and there is always going to be physical contact. We see this all the time. People say it is a contact sport, but was there enough to give a foul."

FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

Ex-Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd held a different opinion on the incident, however, as he stated that it should have been a foul.

He said: "I think there is enough contact. There's a push and his body has gone away from his hands. There is force there and it should have gone in Tottenham's favour."

Tudor shared a similar viewpoint as Bothroyd but expressed his verdict far more passionately and referenced a similar incident that was given as a foul against Arsenal last weekend.

The interim Spurs head coach said: “Of course it's a foul, I think. Nine out of 10 people will say it's a foul, I believe, because it's so obvious, you know,”

"Sometimes the criteria don't have consistency, last week what happened in our game against Arsenal, same thing, also one situation before, we conceded a goal, they didn't get a foul after they give, so, incredible.”

“But there is a logic, if the goal is, because he take advantage, not thinking about football, he was not thinking about the ball, he was thinking how to cheat. So, he cheated the player with pushing and they scored the goal. So, it's a logic, it's a cheating and there's the foul.

“It's not the thing of duel and they want that here is a football is more, you know, tough and we like the duels, it's nothing with that. So, there was no logic in this decision and logic is above everything, after come other things.”

Gallagher and Bothroyd also analysed similar scenarios where decisions also went against Spurs which included the Randal Kolo Muani foul on Gabriel and Hugo Ekitike's controversial header after placing his hands on Cristian Romero's back.

On the former incident, Bothroyd said: "The difference between this one and the one on Dragusin, it looks like Muani has hands in his back, Gabriel has made most of it. With Dragusin, you can see the push and Dragusin's body go away from [Jimenez]. Gabriel has missed the flight of the ball and made the most of it.

Gallagher stated on the Ekitike incident: "I thought at the time this was a goal. Ekitike is up early, is above the player at all times, he's always going to win that ball."