Tottenham remained 16th in the Premier League after the North London derby humiliation at the hands of Arsenal.
Tottenham Hotspur could not use the ‘new manager bounce’ after Igor Tudor’s appointment to spring an upset against Arsenal at home in the North London derby on Sunday.
The 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal was not the welcome Igor Tudor would have hoped for in English football. Perhaps the game highlighted the magnitude of the task he has on his hands at N17. The result in the North London derby left Spurs stranded in the 16th spot, but 18th-placed West Ham United further closed the gap to four points following a goalless draw with Bournemouth, while Nottingham Forest remain just two points behind.
Relegation from the top-flight is unthinkable for the fans, despite knowing the state of the squad and the fragile confidence levels of the players available at Igor Tudor’s disposal. Our 47-year-old gaffer remained confident after the derby loss to Arsenal that the Lilywhites would stay up, and his claim was backed up by former Spurs defender Stephen Kelly.
Mick McCarthy shares Tottenham will be feeling the nerves in the relegation battle
Tottenham may have a four-point buffer to 18th-placed West Ham, but with 11 games remaining, that gap could be easily wiped out.
Assessing Tottenham’s situation, former Premier League manager Mick McCarthy feels the North Londoners will be “panicking” watching the teams around them embroiled in a relegation battle. He also sent out his thoughts on Spurs’ survival hopes, stating he is “not that confident” they can maintain their top-flight status.
“Tottenham will be panicking,” Mick McCarthy said on The Managers podcast.
“If you are fourth from the bottom, and yes, I have been there with Wolves. You are constantly worried about their results, and it almost takes the focus off what you are doing and looking behind you.
“You have to really get back at it; this is what we are doing, and let’s concentrate on what we are doing. I think Tottenham will be looking behind them and worrying greatly.”
Spurs find themselves in big trouble
Indeed, Tottenham find themselves in a worrying situation. The fixture run-in is not ideal when compared to West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United. They are winless in the league in 2026 and are looking anxiously over their shoulders from 16th place.
Tudor, meanwhile, will not shirk away from his duties and will try to make the players believe they can beat teams as a unit. He has the conviction that these players possess the quality to fight and stay up if they eliminate the bad habits, stay humble and give everything for each other.