Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2 analyses Tottenham’s new set-up under Igor Tudor, shares relegation verdict
Tottenham remain seriously at risk of relegation after Igor Tudor failed to make a major difference during his first game in charge against Arsenal.
Spurs showed early signs of promise, with the tactical change to a back five paying off in the early stages, but faded quickly when Mikel Arteta‘s side found their rhythm.
Former Tottenham scout and Man United assistant manager under Sir Alex Ferguson, Mick Brown told Football Insider that the changes made by the interim manager Tudor have done little to change the club’s fortunes.
The North London derby against Arsenal was always going to be tricky, and a visit to Fulham on 1 March will be a better measure, but concerns are only growing.
Suffering a 4-1 defeat against their biggest rivals in a game where they ultimately failed to put up a fight has only added to the negative feeling around the team.
- Read more: Tottenham fans have been impressed by Tudor.
Igor Tudor may be unable to keep Tottenham up
Spurs’ defeat against Arsenal came after West Ham and Leeds both picked up points, meaning they are now just four points away from the relegation zone.
Should the Hammers continue their impressive form, while Tudor struggles to get the best out of his downtrodden side, relegation will be a real possibiblity.
“I didn’t see many major changes to the way Tottenham play,” Brown told Football Insider.
“He played with a back five, which is something we haven’t seen much from them in the last year, and it was a fast start for them with a lot of energy.
“Whether those changes were forced because of the injuries, because they’re having a major impact.
“Arsenal looked shaky at the start, they were there to be got at and Spurs proved that at 1-1, but from that point they never made that count.
“Arsenal grew into the game and you could see Tottenham dropping further and further off, the players didn’t look up for it by the end of the game.
“There’s a lot of nonsense about them being ‘too good to go down’, and Tottenham definitely aren’t.
“They’re looking over their shoulders because the teams behind them, Forest and West Ham, aren’t doing too badly in terms of performances and results.
“I don’t think this Tottenham team look like winning games, that’s the problem they’ve got, where is the next win going to come from?
“The new manager hasn’t been there long, fine, but they didn’t show much against Arsenal to show me that things are going to turn around.”
Who will be the next Tottenham manager?
Tudor’s chances of becoming the next permanent Spurs manager have been dealt an early blow, amid claims he must win the majority of games to secure the role.
Football Insider revealed in January that Tottenham want a Premier League-proven manager to help turn around their fortunes next season.
While relegation remains a real possibility, they are focused on staying up before appointing their next boss, with results in the coming weeks set to be key.
Mauricio Pochettino is the favourite to take over at Spurs in the summer after he leads the USA at the World Cup, with a sensational return to North London on the cards.
A number of other candidates including former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi have also been considered, with Tudor unlikely to land the role full-time.
For the latest updates on Tudor’s position at Spurs, head over to Tottenham News.