Tottenham interim boss Igor Tudor insists fighting to avoid relegation is not real pressure as he urged his struggling team to show the “courage” required to win their survival battle.
Tudor’s side are just four points above the Premier League relegation zone after the Croatian lost his first two matches since replacing the sacked Thomas Frank.
Another defeat at home to Crystal Palace on Thursday would plunge Tottenham deeper into trouble.
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The north London club haven’t played in the second tier since 1977/78, but their 10-match winless run in the league has made that grim prospect increasingly realistic.
Tudor has no intention of taking it easy on his players, instead opting to point out to them the jobs in everyday life that carry genuine pressure.
“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,” he told reporters on Wednesday.
“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.”
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Tudor slammed his players after Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Fulham, berating them for weaknesses in all three phases of the game.
Only two matches into his tenure, Tudor’s remarks sparked debate over whether he would see out this season.
“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.”
Tottenham remain without 10 players for the Palace clash, which Tudor refused to label as a game his team cannot afford to finish without three points.
“No, there is no must-win game, all the games need to be won,” he said.