Igor Tudor’s arrival as temporary Tottenham Hotspur boss was meant to inject a fresh sense of optimism into the first-team playing squad in North London.
However, two games into the Croatian’s tenure at the club, the alarm bells are ringing louder than ever, and the prospect of relegation from the Premier League is growing week on week.
The Lilywhites sit in 16th place at present, just two places above the relegation zone, after two losses in a row against Arsenal and Fulham since the 47-year-old’s arrival. The worst thing yet is their upcoming fixtures. History makes for grim reading in that department.
Sunday’s loss against the Cottagers was yet another example of the struggles the side are enduring, with the side looking largely toothless throughout the contest.
Numerous players once again failed to deliver, which has led to huge questions being asked of them by the disgruntled supporters since the latest defeat.
Spurs’ worst performers against Fulham on Sunday
Throughout the 2025/26 campaign, goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has maintained the number one shirt – a decision that has come under huge scrutiny in recent months.
The Italian certainly could have prevented Alex Iwobi’s long-range effort, with the Nigerian intern firing home from distance with the inside of his right foot.
The ‘keeper’s distribution has also been questioned, with Vicario demonstrating on multiple occasions at Craven Cottage that he simply isn’t able to operate with the ball at his feet.
Centre-back Radu Dragusin has been thrown in at the deep end in recent weeks, with the Romanian only recently returning from a long injury lay off after his ACL tear.
He’s started both of the outings since Tudor took the reins in North London, with Sunday’s display yet another example of why he’s not Premier League standard.
The 24-year-old only managed to win 33% of the ground duels he entered in the defeat, whilst also failing to come out on top in any of the tackles he entered.
Spurs star is becoming a worse signing than Dragusin
The injury issues, coupled with Tudor’s desire to change the system at Spurs have no doubt contributed to the recent struggles in the Premier League.
The Croatian desperately needs to find a solution in the weeks ahead if he is to drag the club up the table, with relegation to the second tier now firmly a possibility.
However, he’s certainly not been helped out by the hierarchy after taking the reins, with the recruitment before his arrival in North London miles off the levels required.
Over £700m has been spent over the last couple of years, but it appears to be to no avail – as seen by the Lilywhites’ measly league standing in recent seasons.
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The January transfer window once again handed the board the chance to improve the senior ranks, subsequently forking out a reported £35m for the signature of midfielder Conor Gallagher.
The move for the Atlético Madrid star had many supporters unconvinced at the time, with their worries over such a deal becoming evident in recent outings.
Like Dragusin, he’s started both matches since the manager’s arrival, but has also been less than convincing in both outings – with his struggles massively evident last weekend.
The 26-year-old was asked to play in a midfield four at Craven Cottage in a 4-4-2 system, but was unable to have the desired affect – whether that be in or out of possession.
Gallagher featured for just 58 minutes before being replaced by Pape Sarr, with his withdrawal from the contest warranted given his lack of positive impact against Marco Silva’s men.
He only managed to complete 72% of the 25 passes he attempted, which resulted in the Englishman giving possession away on 12 separate occasions – the most of any starter.
|
Conor Gallagher – stats against Fulham |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics |
Tally |
|
Minutes played |
58 |
|
Touches |
37 |
|
Pass accuracy |
72% |
|
Possession lost |
12x |
|
Tackles won |
0 |
|
Duels lost |
75% |
|
Fouls committed |
1 |
|
Chances created |
0 |
The midfielder also failed to create any chances for his teammates, whilst making just two forward passes – subsequently highlighting his lack of quality in possession.
Without the ball, the £35m man was just as alien, subsequently failing to make any tackles, whilst also losing 75% of the ground duels he contested in the defeat.
The fee forked out for his signature now looks to be a huge mistake, with the midfielder unable to provide the difference the club expected upon such a transfer.
He’s certainly not an upgrade on the options that were on the books before his arrival, with the fan right to question such a move given his lack of impact in recent weeks.
Some form of sympathy should be handed the way of Dragusin given his recent injury issues, but the same can’t be said for Gallagher, who’s looked miles off the pace under Tudor.
Regardless of relegation, the club should be looking at improvements in the summer transfer window, with the hierarchy needing to remember such a move for Gallagher in the near future.
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