To The Lane And Back

Tottenham were smashed 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at home.

In perhaps their biggest game of the season, Tottenham Hotspur failed to show up against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. They were given a 3-0 hiding by the Tricky Trees in front of their fans.

After an impressive performance to beat Atletico Madrid on last week, many fans would have been hoping they had turned a corner before the weekend. But reality hit the fans hard when their team produced a dull display against Nottingham Forest. Vitor Pereira’s side did start the game slowly but had a measure of control. They did not concede when the hosts were on top, with the back four defending extremely well. And when the chances fell to them, the visitors took it with aplomb.

Goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi condemned Tottenham to another home defeat, whilst piling more misery on Tudor.

Chris Waddle slams Tottenham players after Nottingham Forest loss

Tottenham have won just 30 points from 31 Premier League games this season – their joint-lowest return after 31 games of a league campaign, along with 1914-15. They are winless in their past 13 league matches, which paints quite a grim picture.

There is nowhere to hide for the North Londoners, and former winger Chris Waddle was livid with their display vs. Nottingham Forest. He felt Spurs were second best all over the pitch in the chastening afternoon in N17.

“It shouldn’t be happening at a club that size,” Chris Waddle exclusively told FootballTransfers.

“Listen, the good thing is it’s now the international break, so they will hopefully get two or three players back from injury.

“I’m not saying these players are that good that they’re going to change the format and how the results are going to go. I’m not saying they’re that good, but if you’ve got a better squad and a stronger squad, it does help you with selection choice.

“As we saw yesterday against Nottingham Forest, they were way behind, well off the pace. They played two up front, which I was very surprised by. It looks positive, I suppose, but they were just second best all over the park, and their energy levels were very, very poor.”

The situation is grim at the Hotspur Way

Now just one point separates Tottenham from the relegation zone, and with more tough fixtures on the horizon, the concern among the fanbase grows stronger with seven games remaining.

The supporters hoped for a revival in fortunes after performances against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, but they were brought crashing down to earth by Forest. There is no structure, energy, fight, or spirit within the squad to get through the crisis. Tudor looks out of his depth; he got his first XI terribly wrong, and his substitutions were poor too, as Spurs became worse instead of improving.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest means the position of Igor Tudor may now be untenable.

Tottenham Hotspur’s survival bid took another blow on Sunday as they were beaten 3-0 by Nottingham Forest at home.

Spurs had been the better team in the first half at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but it was the visitors who took the lead right at the stroke of half time. Igor Jesus headed home from a corner to silence the Tottenham fans. Nottingham Forest doubled that lead through Morgan Gibbs-White after the interval, and the Lilywhites could not respond before Taiwo Awoniyi scored a third in the 87th-minute.

To make the afternoon worse, the fans felt that Igor Tudor’s side had picked up a new injury. Micky van de Ven appeared to suffer a knock during the first half of the game. The defender collided with an advertising board and wasn’t able to move freely afterwards. The Dutchman, who surprised the supporters by starting at left-back, was replaced at half time by Destiny Udogie.

Bruno Saltor reveals reason behind Micky van de Ven’s substitution at half time

Micky van de Ven started at left-back in a flat back four. He struggled to cope with Omari Hutchinson’s trickery and directness, especially after sustaining a knock. When the players came out of the tunnel for the second half, the centre-back was not spotted. Instead, it was Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall that entered the fray, with the latter replacing Djed Spence.

Speaking after the game, assistant coach Bruno Saltor gave the reason behind Van de Ven’s substitution. The Spaniard, who covered the media duties for Igor Tudor, said (h/t Football London):

“No, it was a sub with the intention to give more dynamic in the left side and have more legs going forward. And yeah, I thought that was like a tactical sub.”

Udogie replacing Van de Ven led to a shift to a back three, but it did not pay off for the hosts as Forest scored two goals in the second half and comfortably won the game. To put things straight, Tudor got his team selection horribly wrong on Sunday. Playing Van de Ven at left-back was one of the worst decisions he made, similar to playing Pedro Porro in a back three vs. Crystal Palace.

The Croatian understood he got his decision to use Van de Ven at left-back totally wrong and tried to rectify it at half time. Udogie didn’t pull up trees either, but being a natural left-back, he actually gave some stability and width that was lacking.

Nonetheless, the defeat to Forest further exposed how tactically limited Tudor is, and he must leave.

Tottenham could battle Aston Villa and Newcastle United for a decorated Ligue 1 midfielder.

Tottenham Hotspur are hoping to maintain their top-flight status under Igor Tudor this season. Staying in the Premier League is crucial for Spurs, as it would significantly influence how they approach the summer transfer window in the coming months.

There are several gaps in the squad that require plugging in the off-season. Chief among them is the lack of a reliable central midfielder. They are clearly missing a workhorse who can contribute effectively at both ends of the pitch. Conor Gallagher was signed from Atletico Madrid in the winter transfer window in the wake of Rodrigo Bentancur’s hamstring injury, but it is fair to say that the ex-Chelsea man has failed to make the desired impact at White Hart Lane.

Joao Palhinha’s form has dipped since the turn of the year, leaving his future uncertain. Whether Tottenham decide to sign Palhinha permanently from Bayern Munich in the summer remains to be seen. Yves Bissouma, meanwhile, is out of contract at the end of the season, and the club are unlikely to offer him an extension. If Palhinha is let go alongside Bissouma, the Lilywhites would certainly require an experienced head in the middle of the park next season.

Tottenham set to battle Aston Villa and Newcastle United for Lyon star

According to an exclusive report from SportsBoom, Tottenham are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Corentin Tolisso. Aston Villa and Newcastle United are also keen on the 31-year-old after his impressive performances in a Lyon shirt this season.

Corentin Tolisso has been on a goalscoring spree of late, netting four times in his last five league games. This has taken his tally to 11 goals in all competitions for the season, while he has also chipped in with three assists. The Frenchman is showing he still has a lot to offer at a high level at 31, which has caught the attention of Premier League clubs, as well as Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid.

The central midfielder will cost around €30 million, which should be reasonable for the aforementioned clubs for a player of Tolisso’s quality, experience, winning mentality and leadership. It is worth noting that he won the treble with Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 season. However, Tottenham could only be in contention for the experienced ex-France international’s signature if they stay in the Premier League. Even if they retain their top-flight status, a lack of European football would complicate a move to North London.

That being said, Spurs appear as good as defeated already in the race to sign the Lyon skipper. Also, if the Lilywhites are to sign a central midfielder who can make an impact at both ends of the pitch, the club bosses must target a younger profile than someone in the ilk of the ageing Tolisso.

Tottenham are stranded just a point above the relegation zone in the Premier League.

Just nine months ago, Tottenham fans were celebrating their team’s historic triumph under Ange Postecoglou. The Lilywhites had defied all odds to win the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao. It was a day that no one associated with the North London club will ever forget, thanks to the brilliant winning goal by Brennan Johnson. The historic victory also meant that Big Ange’s men ended the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy.

Fast forward nine months, and Spurs are now fighting to maintain their top-flight status this season. The Lilywhites have hit new lows ever since that remarkable Europa League triumph. They failed to build on that historic achievement, despite Thomas Frank claiming last summer that the club would compete on all fronts and ensure it remained in contention at the top end of the table.

Frank is now gone, and it is Igor Tudor’s responsibility to ensure that the North Londoners avoid relegation from the Premier League. Spurs have managed to win only two of their last 22 league matches under two different managers. They are the only remaining team in the division yet to register a league win since the turn of the year, with their last victory coming against Crystal Palace during the Christmas period.

Harry Kane remains hopeful that Tottenham will avoid relegation

Tottenham are hoping to secure their top-flight status under Igor Tudor in the coming months. They need to return to winning ways in the Premier League, starting with a clash against fellow relegation rivals Nottingham Forest. Both sides face each other in a must-win encounter this weekend, with the winner gaining a crucial opportunity to pull away from the relegation battle that is set to intensify in the coming weeks.

Now, Spurs legend Harry Kane has stated that he is rooting for the Lilywhites to maintain their Premier League status and avoid relegation in the coming weeks. Speaking to Capital Football, Kane said,

“I hope that they stay up. They are in a tough situation for sure but I really hope they can. I think they have enough quality in their team to be able to do it. But as we know the Premier League is tough. I will be watching and hoping they can do it.”

As Kane rightly points out, Spurs are in a difficult position this season and must start picking up points to avoid slipping into the second division in the coming weeks. It goes without saying that the Lilywhites possess enough quality in their squad, but they need their key players to step up in crucial matches. The Spurs legend is backing the North Londoners to rediscover their form under Igor Tudor, adding that he will be watching their six-pointer against Nottingham Forest closely.

The talented midfielder earned a historic international call up amid a highly stressful domestic campaign for the North Londoners.

The senior squad continues floundering under immense Premier League pressure right now. Meanwhile, a thriving academy prospect is making international history far away from the English capital. Tyrese Hall just secured his first-ever senior international call-up for Jamaica. The loyal Tottenham Hotspur supporters finally have something genuinely positive to celebrate.

Furthermore, the talented midfielder is currently enjoying a phenomenal loan spell down in League Two. The 20-year-old features regularly for Notts County this season. He recently scored his seventh goal during a dominant 4-goal victory over Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night. Naturally, those impressive domestic performances caught the international eye.

According to Tottenham Hotspur, Hall will travel to Mexico for the upcoming World Cup qualifying playoffs. Ultimately, his nation faces a massive semifinal clash against New Caledonia in Zapopan on March 26. A victory there means they will play DR Congo 5 days later. The stakes are incredibly high for the young midfield prospect.

Tyrese Hall secures historic international recognition amid relegation fears

The young midfielder is genuinely chasing club history this month. If he steps onto the pitch, he will become the first men’s player ever to represent Jamaica while officially contracted to the Lilywhites. Hall previously represented England at the Under-19 international level. However, he has now permanently pledged his international allegiance elsewhere.

Tottenham’s official academy handle confirmed the truly fantastic news today. They proudly published a brief public statement saying “Congratulations, Tyrese!” to celebrate the massive milestone. The N17 faithful should keep a very close eye on his rapid development. The North Londoners possess an absolute gem within their prestigious youth ranks right now.

Igor Tudor faces massive pressure regarding his squad selection next season. Integrating successful academy graduates must become a huge priority soon. Tyrese is actively proving he possesses the required pedigree for elite-level football. His future looks incredibly bright in the English capital.

The outspoken pundit publicly advised his former club to pursue the highly rated Tottenham star.

Chelsea executives are currently watching Tottenham Hotspur very closely. And former Chelsea player Joe Cole recently discussed the talented squad on the official podcast. He explicitly targeted Micky van de Ven for a massive summer transfer and wants the 24-year-old defender immediately.

The Netherlands international, rated £100m by Tottenham, remains a phenomenal asset for the North Londoners. His incredible recovery pace bails out the high defensive line constantly. Losing him represents an absolute disaster. Cole spoke on the Dressing Room podcast recently and confidently stated, “Micky van de Ven from Tottenham. I think he is looking like he wants to leave. I think he would be a brilliant addition for Chelsea.”

Joe Cole wants premium defender amid ongoing relegation battle today

Those provocative comments will massively frustrate the loyal N17 faithful today. Igor Tudor must completely ignore this external noise immediately. The Croatian coach requires maximum concentration from his starting eleven. The pundit noted the Lilywhites have consecutively endured 2 difficult seasons. Securing Premier League survival currently remains the only priority.

Stamford Bridge officials want immediate reinforcements to fix their leaking defense. They are also monitoring Murillo from Nottingham Forest alongside Newcastle star Sven Botman, according to reports from Caughtoffside.

Selling a premium asset to a bitter local rival remains highly unlikely. The proactive boardroom absolutely must protect its valuable financial investments firmly. Relegation changes the entire financial landscape completely. The entire squad must deliver flawless performances. The Lilywhites currently sit exactly 1 point above the dreaded drop zone.

Avoiding the Championship ensures top players remain fully committed. The determined players are currently preparing for another absolutely monumental weekend fixture. However, the intense atmosphere inside the stadium remains electric. Total victory clearly remains the only acceptable outcome.

Mathys Tel has enjoyed a new lease of life at Tottenham under interim boss Igor Tudor.

While Tottenham Hotspur always had a huge mountain to climb after losing 5-2 in the first leg, they gave Atletico Madrid a few scares on Wednesday and threatened to get themselves back in the tie. There were several encouraging signs in their performance at home as Spurs picked up their first win under Igor Tudor by beating Atletico Madrid 3-2.

Igor Tudor’s side were applauded off the pitch by the fans at the final whistle, having delivered a second consecutive performance full of fight, energy and quality. They will now try to build on this restored unity and confidence as Tottenham aim to stay in the Premier League.

With a crucial six-pointer against Nottingham Forest at home next on the menu card, Mathys Tel gave a glimpse of the current atmosphere in the Spurs dressing room.

Mathys Tel urges his Tottenham teammates to stick together to escape relegation

Following their Champions League exit, Tottenham’s full focus now shifts towards securing their top-flight status for next season. They must find a way to return to winning ways in the Premier League, having not tasted victory in 2026.

Mathys Tel, who enjoyed a strong outing in the victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, has expressed confidence about Tottenham staying in the top tier of English football after recent dressing room talks. The Frenchman has urged his teammates to stick together and fight, showing trust in everybody within the dressing room to achieve their objective for the remainder of the campaign.

“I think conversation in the dressing room. After every loss we just keep talking to each other, and something changed. I would say we are together, we are more and more together,” Tel was quoted by the Daily Mirror.

“We are talking because maybe before we didn’t speak enough. But now with the situation we talk more, more, more, more, more, and we are more about the details. So, you know, in football details make the difference and now I’m very happy about this difference.

“We’re together. We’re just a team now. A team. And I can feel it. We felt it also against Atletico. So, yeah, keep going. Of course, we believe, we believe. We have to believe, and we will do it. I believe we will do it. I trust my teammates, I trust the manager, I trust everybody. If we stick together, if we show that we will do it together, we will do it.”

Tel has stepped up in recent games

Tel barely got chances to showcase his talent under Thomas Frank, which affected his confidence levels. Since Tudor took over the club’s reins, the Sarcelles-born starlet has enjoyed a more prominent role and the platform to prove himself.

This has been mirrored in his recent displays, especially against Atletico at home, where the 20-year-old created the opening goal for Randal Kolo Muani and was a constant pest for their defence with his directness, speed and dribbling ability. No wonder Tel recently acknowledged the confidence Tudor has shown in him, and it has made a noticeable difference in his game.

The renewed unity from both players and supporters bodes very well ahead of a decisive final stretch of games, where Tel is expected to play a big part.

The Tottenham talent is attracting interest from a Premier League rival.

Tottenham Hotspur are currently just a point above the bottom three, so they could well be dragged down there in the final few games if they do not pick up wins. If they were to end up dropping down to the Championship, it’s certainly hard to imagine several first-team stars staying in N17.

Even if the North London club manage to avoid relegation this season, we could still see many players head through the exit door, as they will be without European football next term. Tottenham’s precarious position has allowed clubs across the Premier League and Europe to monitor some of their players ahead of possible summer moves.

As such, maintaining top-flight status will be imperative for the Lilywhites for multiple reasons, including keeping some of their key players, but there’s still no guarantee they are able to convince some of them to extend their stay at White Hart Lane.

Manchester United plot shock move for Archie Gray

According to an exclusive report from SportsBoom, Manchester United are plotting a surprise summer move for Tottenham youngster Archie Gray. They are eyeing a cut-price deal for the versatile midfielder if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League.

Archie Gray has been one of the standout performers for Tottenham this season, playing in a variety of positions and showing his quality and leadership despite only recently turning 20 years old. He has established himself in the first team since arriving from Leeds United in the summer of 2024.

With the consistency he has added to his performance levels since the turn of the year, the Durham-born talent has become undroppable from the first XI. Gray’s displays this season have caught the eye of Manchester United, who need midfield reinforcements in the summer. Casemiro has announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season when his contract expires, while the Red Devils could offload Manuel Ugarte following his failure to adapt to the demands of Premier League football.

At 20, Gray does have the required tools to become the face of Man United’s midfield for the best part of the decade. The England Under-21 international is highly regarded, and it would not be surprising if the Red Devils end up testing Tottenham’s resolve in the summer.

Gray pledges to stay at Tottenham

Considering Gray is already performing to a high level at the tender age of 20, there is no doubt he could become Tottenham’s future skipper. Contracted until 2030 (Transfermarkt), there’s little reason for the Hotspur Way chiefs to consider offloading him when the summer transfer window opens. However, they will be left with no option if the club is doomed to the Championship and the youngster asks for an exit.

Surprisingly, recent reports suggest Gray is determined to stay at Tottenham and would not actively seek a move away even if they suffer the drop. This would come as a big boost for Spurs desperate to keep hold of Gray in a bid to build the midfield around him. The club bosses rate the ex-Leeds United prospect extremely highly and would loathe losing him in the summer, especially to a Premier League rival.

Keeping that in mind, Man United may end up getting disappointed in their pursuit of Gray. And the fact that he is born and bred Leeds United will only complicate matters for a possible transfer.

Tottenham will have some tough decisions to make in the off-season.

Tottenham Hotspur have had a horrific campaign so far and currently sit just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, ahead of welcoming Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. After elimination from the Champions League in midweek, all Spurs have got now is to preserve their top-flight status for next season.

The N17 chiefs will have some big decisions to make in the summer. Fear of relegation from the Premier League has sparked major question marks about the future of several first-team players, with several European clubs circling for potential bargains if the Lilywhites do end up in the Championship, and that includes players who are currently on loan.

Luka Vuskovic has excelled on loan at SV Hamburger in the Bundesliga this season. He has established himself as one of the first names on SV Hamburger’s teamsheet under Merlin Polzin, netting five times in 23 Bundesliga outings thus far. The big Croat has quickly become one of the hottest defensive prospects across Europe, putting several clubs on red alert.

Tottenham urged to offload one of their senior defenders to make room for Luka Vuskovic in the squad next season

Luka Vuskovic has been shining in his debut season in the Bundesliga, displaying a mix of technical skills and physicality. This has led to plenty of Tottenham fans expressing concerns that the centre-back could leave the North London club without even playing a competitive game, despite having a deal that runs until 2030.

The Hotspur Way chiefs rate the Croatian talent very highly and will be raring to keep at bay any potential interest in him during the summer transfer window. Now, reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhites Rose owner John Wenham has urged Tottenham to move on one of Cristian Romero or Micky van de Ven in the summer to assure Vuskovic has a future at White Hart Lane.

“Vuskovic will, if Tottenham can stay in the Premier League, become a part of the first team next year, I’m sure of it,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.

“He’s got a contract till 2030, as many of these players that are talking about going, it’ll be down to Tottenham at the end of the day, not these players.

“I just can’t see how he goes, he might be wanted by all of Europe and all this kind of stuff, but I think Tottenham will have control of the situation.

“He’s so good, and the potential is so high that, actually, you may consider selling one of Romero or van der Ven to accommodate a starting space for Vuskovic from next season.

“I think the time is right for one of them to move on, not both. I think that would weaken us drastically, but one might have to be sold in order to facilitate, you know, Vuskovic having this platform to play.

“And I think that would really show his agent and the club that there is a pathway being made for him.”

Tottenham will have some decisions to make in the summer

Tottenham’s status at the end of the season is going to play a significant role in dictating the future of several players. If the unthinkable happens, stars like Romero and Van de Ven will certainly end up leaving the club. Should they stay up, though, there will still be high chances of the duo departing in the summer due to a lack of European football next term.

Vuskovic isn’t of the same stature as Romero and Van de Ven, but he is currently one of the most talked-about young centre-backs in world football. Fans are not surprised that the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich are keen on the teenager’s services. His market value has shot up to €60m, and is now only second behind Van de Ven in the most valuable Tottenham players (€65m).

However, if the club goes down, it is highly unlikely Vuskovic will stick around in N17. The Split-born talent’s stocks are high, and if our club feels there is a genuine future superstar in Vuskovic, then they may have to sacrifice one of Romero or Van de Ven to make space for him in the squad. And this will only be possible if the Lilywhites are a Premier League club and come up with an exciting project under the new permanent boss.

Tottenham take on Nottingham Forest in a mouthwatering contest at home.

Tottenham Hotspur finally got their first win under interim boss Igor Tudor on Wednesday by beating Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, although they lost the last-16 tie on aggregate.

The Lilywhites are finally showing signs of life after their 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend and then the gritty 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid. After four consecutive disappointing results, Igor Tudor seems to be turning a corner in N17. There is a new spirit of determination and fight among the players as they want to prove they belong in the Premier League.

The results against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid has restored some belief in the Tottenham squad for the rest of the campaign. However, they have not won in the Premier League since December 28, when they overcame Crystal Palace 1-0 at Selhurst Park. So, Igor Tudor and Co. are desperate for a win when they host Nottingham Forest in their relegation six-pointer on Sunday.

Alan Shearer drops his prediction for Tottenham vs. Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest sit just one point and one place below Spurs in the table. They head to the capital after booking their place in the Europa League quarter-finals by beating Danish side FC Midtjylland. So, the two clubs will be determined to move clear of the drop zone with a win.

Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer has made his weekly predictions, stating the importance of the game for both clubs. The all-time leading Premier League goalscorer thinks whoever wins the battle of wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday will have enough to stay up in the top flight. He has predicted a Tottenham win.

“It’s a huge game for all sorts of reasons; this is a gigantic game for both teams. You can imagine the reaction if Tottenham were to be beaten at home by Nottingham Forest,” Alan Shearer wrote in his column for The Metro.

“I guess whoever takes the three points should be more than confident they would have enough to stay up. But on the other hand, whoever is beaten, then there’s a real live chance that that team will be relegated. That’s how big this game is this weekend.

“I have no belief in why I’m saying this, but I’m going to go for a Tottenham home win.”

Tottenham must show their quality and character vs. Nottingham Forest

The pressure remains on Tudor as he goes in search of his first league win as Spurs boss. The North London club are looking increasingly better in attack and settled in midfield. However, there are problems at the back as they have gone nine consecutive matches without keeping a clean sheet.