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Tottenham are in a whole heap of trouble in the Premier League and face a crunch run of fixtures that will decide their fate in the top flight

Tottenham have nine matches to decide their Premier League future and avoid a scenario that should have been unthinkable at the start of the season.

It was only nine months ago that Spurs fans swarmed the streets of the capital to enjoy the club's Europa League trophy parade. All of the good feeling from those days though has since dissipated with both Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank having been sacked in the months since and interim head coach Igor Tudor also in danger after losing all three of his opening games in charge.

Tottenham have not won a single Premier League game yet in 2026 and that leaves them languishing just a point above the drop zone with Nottingham Forest and West Ham having found some momentum and threatening to both leapfrog the north London side.

The Lilywhites travel to Madrid this week to face Atletico on Tuesday night in their Champions League round of 16 first leg tie but it is the Premier League that must be the main focus in the time ahead.

Just nine games remain for Spurs to save their Premier League future and here are the five key matches we believe they must come up trumps in.

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest - March 22

Spurs face a trip to Liverpool next weekend while West Ham host Manchester City and Forest welcome Fulham, but Tottenham rarely get anything from a day out at Anfield so that's unlikely to deliver a key game unless something remarkable happens.

Far more important is the home game against Forest a week later, following the Wednesday night second leg of the Champions League tie against Atletico. Spurs are at home for that European game and could do with the Nottingham side needing to put in a shift away at Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday night to leave them that little bit more tired just a couple of days after they land back in the UK.

Tottenham's home form has been disastrous but it needs to turn at some point and a strong performance would be the perfect way to send the side into the international break with a bit of momentum. West Ham are away at Aston Villa at the same time.

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Tottenham vs Brighton - April 18

This was Postecoglou's final game for the club and all these months on it will be a far more important encounter than the dead rubber it was that day last May.

Brighton are a real hit and miss team and lie 14th in the Premier League table currently. You could easily have picked this or the trip to Sunderland six days earlier as the key encounter of that fortnight but the Black Cats have the sixth best record at home in the competition with just two defeats.

Guess who's second from bottom in the home form table? Yep, it's Spurs. One bit of solace is that only four sides have worse away records than Brighton this season, with just three wins on the road from 14 games, but yes we know Dr Tottenham likes to cure all ills.

Spurs need to win though as Forest face Burnley at home on the same afternoon and West Ham travel to Crystal Palace two days later.

Wolves vs Tottenham - April 25

This will certainly not be the fixture it might have been a couple of months ago although Spurs have often had a mental block when it comes to visiting Molineux.

Wolves have been reenergised in recent weeks under Rob Edwards with back-to-back wins at home against Aston Villa and Liverpool, following a draw against Arsenal at Molineux. So make no mistake, this will not be a walk in the park against the Premier League's bottom side.

However, when looking at the away fixtures remaining this is the one that on paper, and Wolves having the third worst home record in the Premier League with two more points than Spurs, the visitors from London have to go into it looking to come away with a point or three before the trips to Villa Park and Stamford Bridge.

West Ham host Everton that day while Forest will have travelled to Sunderland the night before.

Tottenham vs Leeds - May 9

Another huge home game against a team that could be right in the relegation mix as Daniel Farke's Leeds side come to town in the third from last game of the campaign.

Spurs won 2-1 at Elland Road in October with goals from Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus, a game that feels like a lifetime ago right now. Former Tottenham defender Joe Rodon will be back in N17 looking for revenge but this is a game that the hosts just have to walk away with three points from against the promoted side.

Leeds have won just once away from home this season at this point with the third-worst away form in the Premier League and Spurs will be hoping that continues well into May.

On the same day Forest welcome Newcastle while the Hammers host Arsenal.

Tottenham vs Everton - May 24

We're really hoping this does not need to be a key encounter but if it is then the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will need to be noisier than it ever has before.

Everton could have European football to fight for at this point and David Moyes' side currently have the fourth best away form in the Premier League, having lost just four games on the road, so this is not the ideal final game of the season, coming a week after the trip to Stamford Bridge.

The final day of the season also sees West Ham take on Leeds at the London Stadium while Nottingham Forest host Bournemouth.

All will become clear at the close of play on May 24 and what division Spurs will be playing in next season, a situation that never should have got to this point.

It would have been tough enough for Igor Tudor to come into Tottenham Hotspur in its current state but to do so without a vital member of his backroom staff will have only made the job harder.

The Croatian is used to coming into clubs in a crisis and improving them and has done so at Juventus, Lazio and Udinese twice among numerous others in recent years. He had won his opening match at his five previous places of employment but at Spurs Tudor has instead lost his opening three matches at the helm as he experiences the Premier League for the first time.

Little has improved about the team from Thomas Frank's struggling side and one variable, aside from the club he is employed by, is that Tudor's trusted number two and compatriot Ivan Javorcic has not yet been able to join him in north London due to work permit problems.

Javorcic, who can speak English and Italian, and understands Spanish and German, has been an important link to the players at Tudor's previous couple of clubs in helping communicate the 47-year-old's ideas across to the squad quickly in order to rapidly improve results.

Tudor told football.london of his trusted assistant: "Yes it is an ongoing thing. We wait. Still we wait. Yeah, yeah [it's a work permit issue]. We are waiting."

Spurs brought in former Brighton player and coach Bruno Saltor to add to the Premier League experience in Tudor's backroom staff.

Javorcic is another 47-year-old Croatian and he and Tudor know each other well. Also born in Split, he was his assistant manager at both Juventus and Lazio and played his part in both clubs having an immediate surge in form just when they needed it the most.

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Tudor and Javorcic stabilized Lazio after Maurizio Sarri quit in March 2024 and they led the team to an unbeaten run in the league for his first two months after they joined. Then in March last year the duo arrived at Juventus and took them up the table to fourth place and Champions League qualification.

In both jobs, the duo recorded exactly the same set of results in the remainder of the season with nine games, five wins, three draws and one defeat. Tottenham would likely be delighted with a similar outcome.

Before linking up with Tudor, Javorcic was a manager himself at lower levels in Italian football, taking on newly-relegated Serie B side Venezia in 2022, and had worked within the youth set-up at Brescia before enjoying a caretaker stint for that club's senior team. In his playing days, Brescia was where he made his name as a defensive midfielder, playing in Serie A but mainly in Serie B and C.

He will still be hoping to bring his coaching attributes to the Premier League and a third stint by Tudor's side.

Tottenham Hotspur are in danger near the relegation zone as the March international break approaches

Three matches into Igor Tudor's tenure, the situation at Tottenham Hotspur is looking rather bleak. Despite fleeting moments of hope in all three games, a tally of zero points under the Croatian manager is the stark reality that will concern many.

The latest defeat, brought about by a first-half capitulation against Crystal Palace, was perhaps the most stinging. Micky van de Ven's sending off proved pivotal in the 3-1 loss and Spurs will now have to navigate their trip to Liverpool on March 15 without the suspended Dutchman.

The Anfield outing is sandwiched by the two legs of a Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid. However, the final match before the international break could prove most crucial, as Nottingham Forest's visit to north London potentially playing a huge part in shaping the relegation picture.

Calls for Spurs to sever ties with their manager are growing louder with a chance to create a buffer between themselves and the bottom three if they can pick up some vital wins. football.london has delved deeper into the significant decisions confronting the London club and their potential course of action.

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Tudor sack decision

While Spurs arguably have a more favourable fixture list than their fellow relegation contenders, this advantage could soon be rendered moot if they can't deliver consistency in their performances. Tudor may not be solely responsible for the crisis but so far there has been little evidence that he possesses the capabilities to reverse the decline.

Parting ways with the former Juventus manager shouldn't prove too costly financially, considering his deal expires at the end of the current campaign. It might sound like a cliché, but the appeal of appointing someone familiar with the club must have intensified following Manchester United's positive experience with a comparable strategy involving Michael Carrick.

Ex-Spurs player and manager Glenn Hoddle has already expressed willingness to take on the position, potentially alongside Robbie Keane. Ryan Mason is another whose name has been mentioned and his recent difficulties at West Brom might not necessarily be repeated were he to return to the familiar surroundings of north London.

Return of the back four

A long injury list has hampered Spurs' season but gradually some personnel are becoming available again. Pedro Porro has featured in the last two fixtures after being absent for the previous four, as has Kevin Danso, whilst Destiny Udogie is nearing a comeback following a hamstring problem picked up at Manchester United that has kept him out of action for a month.

Van de Ven will be unavailable for the next fixture due to suspension but captain Cristian Romero is available again following his own ban. This could facilitate a switch back to a four-man defence in the near future, after Tudor's three-at-the-back system has failed to provide anything resembling defensive stability, though it remains to be seen whether the boss takes that route.

Tudor's approach has involved deploying a midfielder or full-back in central defence, with Joao Palhinha the player selected for that position against Arsenal in late February. A tactical reshuffle could prove sufficient for Spurs to maximise the potential of their available squad members across multiple positions.

Spurs require something to shift and require it to shift rapidly. A return to four at the back could be the answer.

Tottenham might be down in the lower reaches of the Premier League table but they are near the top of another table when it comes to the competition

Igor Tudor might not believe Tottenham have discipline issues but they certainly hold a lofty spot in the Premier League table for such problems.

Spurs' Thursday night fell apart after Micky van de Ven saw red in the first half against Crystal Palace. In a key match in the Premier League relegation battle, Tottenham had taken the lead through Dominic Solanke's goal on 34 minutes only for disaster to strike just four minutes later.

A Jorgen Strand Larsen flick hit Van de Ven and ricocheted up into the air. Kevin Danso lost the subsequent aerial battle with the Norwegian to head the ball and Van de Ven realised too late that it was going to fall for Sarr. The Spurs captain for the night then did the worst possible thing for the team in that scenario.

He grabbed the Senegal international's arm as he ran towards goal and pulled him back and to the floor. As Sarr tumbled, referee Andy Madley had no choice but to brandish both the red card and award the penalty.

In one single moment, Tottenham's hopes for the night were torn apart and Sarr would slot home the spot kick. Strand Larsen scored again minutes later before Sarr added his second of the evening ahead of the interval and the scoreline did not change despite a spirited performance from the 10-man hosts in the second half.

When football.london asked if Van de Ven had spoken to his team-mates at half-time or after the game and apologised, interim head coach Tudor would only say: "That's a private thing in the dressing room."

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It was another example though of a Spurs leader losing their head, with Cristian Romero watching on near the dugout as he sat out the final match of his four-game suspension for that wild lunge on Casemiro last month.

At least it was Van de Ven's first sending off for Tottenham and in his career, but seeing a card brandished is not a new thing for the north London outfit this season.

In the fair play table, Spurs lie second only to Chelsea for the most disciplinary points racked up with 90 to the Blues' 93. For Tottenham have picked up the second most red cards in the Premier League this season with four, thanks to Romero, Van de Ven and Xavi Simons' dismissals. Brennan Johnson was also sent off in the Champions League before his departure to Crystal Palace.

The Lilywhites have the joint most yellow cards in the Premier League with Brighton, with both teams on 72. The Seagulls however have not had a single player sent off yet this season. In case you were wondering, Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal have the best disciplinary record with 40 yellow cards and not a single reds, with Manchester United and Leeds just behind them on 43 and 46 points respectively.

football.london asked Tudor if there was a discipline issue at the club and the Croatian responded without missing a beat: "Discipline? There is no discipline issue at all. Opposite."

It may be that the 47-year-old believes his team are not aggressive enough in matches and the stats have shown at points over the course of the season so far that they get more cards per fouls than other sides.

Whatever the truth is, Spurs must find a way of battling for the remainder of the season with losing key personnel to disciplinary issues. Romero is running the risk of his fifth suspension of the season - a two-game one - if he gets two more bookings in his next three Premier League matches and Tottenham cannot do with out him any longer.

Tottenham Hotspur are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League which has led to speculation around Igor Tudor's future

Tottenham Hotspur face an uncertain few months ahead, both on the transfer front and on the pitch. Spurs are battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but are just one point above the drop zone in 16th place.

Igor Tudor has faced difficult challenges during his brief tenure as Tottenham boss since being appointed last month, losing all three matches in the dugout so far.

Tottenham return to action on Tuesday night to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, before travelling to face Liverpool in the Premier League a few days later.

With the uncertainty on the pitch, Spurs have a summer transfer window ahead of them and it remains to be seen what business the club may conduct, with a lot depending on whether there is Premier League or Championship football at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Here, football.london takes a look at some of the latest Tottenham news and transfer gossip that has emerged over the last 24 hours.

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Newcastle transfer raid

Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke is being linked with a move to Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle could target Solanke when the transfer window opens, with the Magpies said to be assessing their striker options ahead of next season.

Solanke is mentioned as a target, but Tottenham are reported to be keen to keep Solanke at the club, even if they are relegated from the Premier League.

Newcastle are looking to target Solanke with their current striker, William Osula, who is reportedly wanted by Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

New Tudor replacement

Former Juventus boss Thiago Motta is reportedly being considered by Tottenham as their next manager.

Tudor is under contract at Spurs until the end of the season, and Italian news outlet Tuttosport have claimed that Motta is being listed as a candidate for the job from the summer onwards.

The report claims that Motta is “in the running” to be the next Tottenham boss, and is alongside former Marseille and Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi as a candidate for the job.

Motta was recently in charge of Juventus until March last year, where he was subsequently by Tudor who remained in the job until last October.

Andy Robertson was the subject of late January interest from Tottenham but the Liverpool left-back opted to stay at Anfield

Andy Robertson has revealed that the choice to reject interest from Tottenham Hotspur in January and remain at Liverpool was his own, stating that discussions about his future will stay confidential until a conclusion is reached.

Robertson emerged as an unexpected target for Spurs late in the transfer window, with Liverpool willing to consider the wishes of their long-serving left-back before an injury to Joe Gomez at Bournemouth further strained their already stretched defence.

The decision was made for the Scotland captain to continue his stint on Merseyside, and following Friday's 3-1 FA Cup victory over Wolves, he confirmed that the decision was his to make as he discussed what lies ahead for him as he approaches his 32nd birthday next month.

Robertson, who joined the Reds in 2017, is nearing the end of his Anfield contract and hinted at the possibility of extending his time with the club.

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"There was obviously interest there - there were discussions had with both sets of clubs," the ex-Hull City defender admitted. "But the decision was that I wanted to stay. We stayed at Liverpool and that was the decision made.

"I was never not committed. I've been committed to Liverpool for the last eight and a half or nine years now and I'll be committed until I'm no longer needed. That's always been my mindset.

"This club has given me everything and I've given this club everything. It's been a fantastic relationship so hopefully that continues and obviously January hap The situation has passed, and now we move forward. As I've always maintained, my focus never strayed from supporting the lads on the pitch and in training.

"Whatever was happening behind the scenes happened, and all I can say is that I kept focusing on football. I've always maintained that [the talks] will remain between me and the club. I don't believe it will be aired in public. It's not one of those situations. I have a fantastic relationship with Richard Hughes, Mike Gordon and Michael Edwards.

"I've had a positive relationship with these individuals who brought me to the football club. They've played a significant role in shaping who I am today, so in that respect, we've had an excellent relationship.

"I think out of respect for them, and their respect for me, our conversations will remain private. When a decision is made, especially considering I only have three months left on my contract, it will be announced to you all."

Robertson, who netted the first goal on Friday before assisting Mohamed Salah for the second at Molineux, dismissed suggestions that the remainder of the season will be about him ensuring he 'goes out on a high' after nearly 10 years of distinguished service.

He added: "That's not really part of my thought process. My focus is on winning trophies with Liverpool. That has always been my aim. Every season, I want to win trophies, whether that's the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the Champions League, or the Premier League."

"I always strive to win trophies because the club demands it and. The fans demand it. That has never changed. All of our focus is on trying to make this season as successful as possible. It's not gone the way that we wanted in the league - that is clear.

"We're out of the Carabao Cup, so we have got two chances. If we have more performances like we did tonight, then we have a chance. If we play like Tuesday then we have no chance. So we need to try and find that consistency.

"Hopefully at the end of the season we can all have a smile on our faces and that is obviously what we are working towards."

Tottenham face a crunch set of nine games in the Premier League which will decide their future and some players just have to be involved

Tottenham's Premier League future hangs in the balance and they will need their players to step up but who should Igor Tudor turn to?

Spurs are sitting precariously in 16th place in the table, just a point above the drop zone with Nottingham Forest and West Ham breathing down their necks. Tudor takes his team to Anfield next weekend after Tuesday night's Champions League game in Madrid, while West Ham host Manchester City and Forest welcome Fulham, who beat Spurs and lost to the Hammers in back-to-back matches at Craven Cottage.

Tudor, if he keeps his job with an upturn in results, will need to turn to certain Spurs players who will give him everything and have the quality to get the north London club out of their dangerous situation. The Croatian made a boat analogy in midweek after the defeat to Crystal Palace about what needs to happen with his players.

"I will tell you now maybe it will sound strange but I believe more after this game than I believed before," he said. "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 and choosing the right [players] 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."

Here are five players who we reckon need to remain in the boat in order for Tottenham to grab the points they need.

Archie Gray

It's seems crazy to have a 19-year-old on a list of players who will be crucial to a relegation fight, but Archie Gray has been one of Spurs' leading lights in the recent dark times. Only Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi has more goal involvements as a teenager in the Premier League this season than Gray's four. The Tottenham youngster has been mostly playing in defence as well in recent times.

It's more than that though. The former Leeds teenager knows how to scrap, has got the energy and the quality to make things happen, as shown by his assist for Dominic Solanke on Thursday night against Crystal Palace.

Xavi Simons said in a recent interview that Gray was the best player in Spurs training, had been the player who has surprised him the most since arriving and that he will become a top midfielder.

Of course the youngster is going to get exposed if played out of position as a left-back and he will make the odd mistake because he's so young, but Tottenham need to get him in the centre of the pitch. He will always looks to drive them on and never give up, qualities they desperately need right now in a squad that doesn't always look that bothered.

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Cristian Romero

This one is pretty simple. The Tottenham captain needs to play and he needs to be available. Cristian Romero is Spurs' best player and he will bring the aggression required for the upcoming fight. He's also a key attacking player with 10 goal involvements in his 28 matches this season.

The World Cup winner has a debt to repay his team-mates as he returns from his fourth suspension of the season. A fifth looms, bringing with it a two-game suspension if he gets two more bookings in his next three Premier League matches before his eight previous ones are wiped out.

That just cannot happen for Romero is too important to this team to miss any more matches this season.

Mathys Tel

It's a similar case for Mathys Tel as it is with Gray, in that he's raw but brings more than so many others.. Tel made only his seventh Premier League start of the season in the defeat in midweek.

The 20-year-old just brings an unpredictability to Spurs' attacking play which they don't have otherwise and he also delivers good corners and set pieces.

The Frenchman is very raw and can make odd decisions on the ball on occasions, as he did in the build-up to Palace's second goal on Thursday, but he creates more going forward than most of the other fit Spurs attackers put together.

Tel has made an impact whenever he's played and he's earned more game time in the weeks ahead.

Richarlison

Spurs need to get the Brazilian fit enough to play 90 minutes and last games because Richarlison is a battler with experience of getting teams out of relegation trouble.

He's also Tottenham's top scorer with nine goals and a tally of 12 goal involvements in all across 34 matches, the only player to have more than Romero's 10.

Richarlison will also want to prove that he should be Brazil's main man at the World Cup this summer so there's plenty to drive him on in the weeks ahead.

A key returnee

It's certainly no secret that Spurs need some of their big injured players back. There are so many players who would be starting matches week in, week out currently sat in the treatment room.

There's Destiny Udogie, who provides real width and a natural left-footer at left-back but the Italian just can't get a run of games together. He did towards the end of last season and was pivotal in the Europa League run. Spurs need a similar run of appearances out of him.

Lucas Bergvall is edging closer to a return from his ankle problem and will bring youthful energy and skill to the midfield while Rodrigo Bentancur will bring calmness on the ball when he returns from his hamstring injury next month.

Then there are the big three creators who Spurs have missed desperately to take some of the pressure of Xavi as he continues to adapt to a new league and style.

Mohammed Kudus had 10 goal involvements before his injury in January and the summer sign would be a huge addition back into the team. The Ghana international was due to return after the upcoming international break.

Then there are Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, who will need time to get sharp when they eventually return to first team training from their different long term knee injures. If Spurs can get one or both of them back and sharp for the final flurry of games then that could transform their attack just in time.

Tottenham Hotspur are battling relegation from the Premier League and Lincoln City fans had a new chant at Spurs' expense

Tottenham Hotspur were the subject of a chant made by sections of Lincoln City fans amid their current risk of being relegated. Spurs are currently in 16th place in the Premier League table and just one point above the drop zone.

Igor Tudor was appointed as Tottenham’s caretaker manager last month on a deal that runs until the end of the season, but has lost all three matches in charge in north London so far.

That form has led to increased speculation about Tudor’s future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with reports suggesting his future at Spurs is in doubt.

There are just nine Premier League matches left to play this season, with Tottenham back in top-flight action next weekend when they travel to face reigning champions Liverpool.

With Tottenham not in action this weekend due to the FA Cup taking centre stage, there were still matches taking place across the EFL, including in Cardiff.

Saturday saw Lincoln City claim a 2-0 win away at League One title rivals Cardiff City, which saw the club climb above the Bluebirds to the top of the third-tier standings.

Lincoln now have a 10-point cushion in the automatic promotion places, with a game in hand, and look the overwhelming favourites to be promoted to the Championship for next season.

As a result, there is a possibility that Lincoln and Tottenham could be in the same league next season, if Spurs do get relegated from the Premier League.

This possibility was not lost on sections of Lincoln fans, who poked fun at Tottenham with their celebrations after the win over Cardiff.

A video emerged on social media of Lincoln’s away fans in the Cardiff City Stadium after the home supporters had left, and began a chant at the expense of Tottenham.

"Tottenham away, ole, ole,” was chanted by sections of Lincoln fans.

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Tudor is expected to remain in charge of Tottenham for the Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, and the Spurs caretaker boss gave his verdict on the current situation at the club after the defeat to Crystal Palace in midweek.

“I don't want to speak about the club. I want to be positive,” Tudor said on Thursday after the defeat to Palace.

“I cannot tell the guys nothing in the end after this game. They gave everything. Unfortunately, we pay every detail. 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.

“I always repeat the same things, but it is how it is. Believing and growing. Do not make mistakes. This is the key in the end of football. Stay there, don't make mistakes. One goal, you always score. Two goals, you can score, but it's important to not make mistakes in 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.”

Igor Tudor is battling to preserve Tottenham's Premier League status and he needs to find a way to get a tune out of Spurs' underperforming squad including key players Cuti Romero and Micky van de Ven

Dominic Solanke revealed Tottenham's shellshocked stars "had a little chat" after Thursday's harrowing defeat to Crystal Palace.

A "little chat" won't quite cut it following another wretched home catastrophe that leaves Spurs hovering nervously just one point above the Premier League drop zone.

Solanke said: "We obviously need to realise the position that we're in. We know it's been so difficult this season with the injuries etc, but we can't change that now. So, us players on the pitch have to take the responsibility and ultimately change that as soon as possible."

The England international marksman is absolutely right but if Tottenham's fractured dressing room has yet to realise the severity of the situation, the Europa League winners are facing a whopping £250million loss in potential revenue if they're relegated to the Championship - they likely never will.

Statistically, this is as bad as it's ever been for Spurs in the Premier League era and they have not gone 11 straight matches without a top-flight victory since 1975.

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Tottenham are playing like a team of individuals who believe they are personally too good to play in the EFL next season but the club's dejected fanbase deserves so much better.

In fairness to Solanke, he looks primed to lead the charge to survival alongside versatile teenage braveheart Archie Gray.

The centre-forward's credible return of five goals in 11 matches since returning from a long-term ankle injury has underlined both his value and the importance of keeping the striker fit.

Beyond that, interim boss Igor Tudor's questionable tactics, scattergun selections and brutal press-conference remarks have offered little hope he can spark a drastic upturn in form.

There is a sense he's merely relying on Tottenham's big-name characters to pull Spurs from the dirt but if this season is anything to go by, that seems a fruitless endeavour.

Captain Cuti Romero has just served his fourth separate suspension of the season and if he collects one more Premier League booking in any of Spurs' next four top-flight matches, he will serve another two-game ban for accumulating 10 yellow cards.

Defensive partner Micky van de Ven will miss the trip to Liverpool following his midweek dismissal against Palace and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario looks a bag of nerves every time he takes to the field.

The two other experienced senior players in Thomas Frank's five-man leadership group, James Maddison and Ben Davies, are sidelined through injury.

During a pre-match flash interview with SPURSPLAY, Tudor urged his troops to "play with their brains" and "protect the goal."

Frankly they did neither, though there is still something to be said about the tone of the Croatian's messaging ahead of a must-win home fixture versus an Eagles side that had only recorded three victories from their past 18 matches in all competitions.

Tudor is obviously not solely responsible for this staggering decline but the clock is now ticking and Tottenham's very own Mr Fix It must now take it upon himself to find solutions as the unthinkable is now very much possible.

EXCLUSIVE: Relegated Tottenham player fires warning to club with Harry Kane theory

EXCLUSIVE: Former Tottenham player Micky Stead has opened up on experiencing the club's last relegation from the top-flight as the current side look to avoid the same fate

Few can offer a first-hand account of Tottenham Hotspur's last relegation from the top-flight. Not since the late 1970s have Spurs played in English football's second tier.

But just like the 1976/77 campaign - Tottenham are facing the drop. Spurs finished rock bottom of the old First Division that season - two points from safety.

And now, 49 years later, Thursday's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace leaves the north London club facing another unthinkable relegation. A so-called Premier League 'big six' club, the ninth-richest on the planet, are now staring down the prospect of falling into the EFL Championship. It would have been unimaginable when club legend Harry Kane was firing in goal after goal or when they reached the Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino in 2019.

Micky Stead is one former player who featured for the last relegated Spurs team - a side which included stars such as Glenn Hoddle, Pat Jennings and Peter Taylor. Just 20 years old at the time, he made eight appearances in that fateful season.

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Now a cab driver, he speaks exclusively to football.london on what a relegation at Tottenham looked like.

"I wasn't good enough to play in that Spurs team, perhaps that's the answer," he admitted. "When you go and tell me you're a young lad, you need to play a few games, and I wasn't good enough to hold my place down.

"I'd say for me to play, Spurs must have been struggling. That's a fair assessment, I reckon.

"I was trying to do the best for Tottenham, and experience-wise, we had quite a lot of experience in that team, and I don't think we should have gone down, actually.

"But when you're going through a hard time, it's difficult to get the breaks, so everything breaks against you.

"Look at Liverpool this season. They go to Wolves on a bit of a bad run and they get beat. But then look at West Ham. They've had a few good results, and all of a sudden they look like they could get out of it."

Relegation for any team is a sucker-punch. For Stead, that reality transformed how he felt on the pitch.

The 69-year-old said: "You feel sick to your stomach, I tell you. If you make a mistake, you're absolutely sick.

"No matter how your teammates try and help you out and tell you 'don't worry,' and 'keep going', you're absolutely gutted.

"You're a young boy, playing in that team. If you're playing with a lot of confidence, you're a better player than when you ain't.

"You can see that even in really top-class players. Once they get affected by a bit of pressure and they're not confident, they're not the same."

Stead also offers his view on how Kane's departure to Bayern Munich in 2023 signalled the current team's dramatic decline.

"I'm gutted for them really," he said. "The players will be disappointed. Everyone's disappointed.

"I don't think we've had the vision to grow the club. We've got everything. We've got the stadium, we've got the training facilities, we've got the scouting but you look at what happened with Harry Kane.

"He's gone to Germany, and this is his third season there. Why couldn't Spurs keep him? Because he wanted to win something, so he must have known.

"He's scoring goals for fun there and could have been doing that in the Premier League. It's just a lot of changes at Spurs."