Tottenham up against ‘huge tide’ that could sink them as dressing room wilts – expert
Tottenham players will realise the huge amount of pressure they are under to keep the club in the Premier League.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who states that Spurs would be “lucky” to finish in 17th.
Spurs’ winless streak extended to nine games against Arsenal, with Igor Tudor failing to win his first game in charge.
The club, who have never been relegated from the Premier League, sit just four points above the relegation zone, with West Ham currently occupying 18th place.
Tottenham under ‘huge tide of scrutiny’
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states that the relegation battle can change suddenly over one weekend of matches.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes the players will know what is being reported in the media about Spurs’ current plight.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “They are in a relegation battle, make absolutely no mistake.
“I think we have got 11 games left and that can switch on a weekend, and they can be very close to the whole trap door. It happens very quickly when it happens. I’ve been around it before and believe me, it just happens one weekend, results go against you more than you think. Another injury perhaps or something else happened, a red card.
“And it’s just, you know, I’ve lectured in football before about what I call the 88th minute deflecting free kick theory and I think you can understand what that is all about, how things just happen, and before you know it things can go against you.
“There’s almost this belief that when you’re down there, things do happen against you and I think it’s a lot to do with the mindset of the players as well as the pressure that’s on them.
“They’ll be aware of what’s going on, they read the social media, they read the media, they know what’s going on and so suddenly, subconsciously, you’re making mistakes before you realise it.
“Spurs are that right now, and they’re up against a huge tide of scrutiny and this is part of becoming a big club. Last year, 17th, we’re going to be looking at the same sort of outcome if they’re lucky right now, but there’s no doubt there are three clubs in it right now.”
Tottenham target new number one goalkeeper
Spurs have lined up a replacement for Guglielmo Vicario amid the 29-year-old’s uncertain future in north London.
Vicario has been linked with a return to Italy, meaning Spurs could target Crystal Palace number one Dean Henderson in the summer transfer window.
Henderson, who has also had a spell at Manchester United, has kept 10 Premier League clean sheets this season.