Igor Tudor backing Tottenham players to step up amid Premier League struggles

Igor Tudor has been impressed with the reaction of his under-fire Tottenham squad this week and claimed they have the men to secure Premier League survival.

The interim head coach let rip at his players after Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Fulham, saying they lacked in attack, midfield and defence during an extraordinary rant.

Only two matches into his short tenure, Tudor’s remarks sparked debate over whether he would see out this season or how a team without a league win in 10 matches would respond, but the Croatian talked up the group before Thursday’s visit of Crystal Palace.

“Of course after the game, there are emotions, there are disappointments because you work, you want (to win) and the players also work hard and want (to win), but the result didn’t come, so of course it was a little bit disappointing,” Tudor said.

“It’s how it should be after the games. You need to be angry and disappointed. You don’t need to be the guy who comes there and says everything is perfect, smile and nothing happens.

“Also, to send a message to everyone, me personally, and everyone to not accept this situation, but we go on. We move on, we have a good, short period to prepare this game, but I saw the guys reacting well.

“Everyone understands the situation, but we are working hard to change this, otherwise there is something wrong if you don’t understand. Of course my job is to put the pressure away, but their job is also to accept this pressure as part of the job.

“Working in jobs like doctors who do operations, they are dealing and decide about life and death. That is the real pressure.

“This is sport. The club, Tottenham, has always been a club with big pressure so you need to be ready to accept this and stand up, not stay behind.

“Take responsibility and have courage to confront these things. This is the best way to do things and the only way to do things.

“So I hope we have and I am sure because I saw in training that we have these men to step up and take responsibility and make us start doing first of all good performances and also winning points.”

Tottenham remain without 10 players for this crucial fixture, but Djed Spence could return for next Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg at Atletico Madrid.

The 47-year-old pushed back at the suggestion this is a must-win fixture, but also gave an insight into his potential starting line-up when quizzed on Mathys Tel after a bright cameo away to Fulham.

Former Juventus and Lazio boss Tudor explained why impact substitutes are important in a nod that Tel may stay on the bench.

“No, there is no must-win game, all the games need to be won,” Tudor pointed out.

“What I recognise here and especially in this league, there is a special game in the last 15-20 minutes.

“It is always a game within a game. Probably for them (substitutes), it is not easy to understand and no-one wants to accept, I am the same but in games, a lot of games are decided in the last 20 minutes.”

Former Spurs playmaker Dele spent seven years at the north London club before he left in 2022.

Dele has struggled with fitness issues during recent seasons, making one appearance for Como in the 2024-25 campaign but has been allowed to train individually at Hotspur Way.