Tottenham suffered an embarrassing home defeat against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The fans turned up on Sunday, but the Tottenham players did not. That is exactly how it unfolded for the Lilywhites in the Premier League this weekend, as they struggled to return to winning ways at home. Igor Tudor’s men were confident heading into the six-pointer against Nottingham Forest, only for the club to lose 0-3 and register their tenth home defeat of the season.
It was a must-win game for the Lilywhites, which was evident given that more than 20,000 fans lined the North London streets to welcome the players and show their support before kick-off. Everyone expected the Spurs players to rise to the occasion and return to winning ways against Forest, who were also fighting to stay afloat in the Premier League. But that was not to be, thanks to goals from Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Taiwo Awoniyi.
The defeat against Forest leaves Spurs in a proper mess as they slowly approach the business end of the season. The Lilywhites are now one point above the relegation zone, following West Ham’s defeat against Aston Villa this weekend. However, there is a growing sense of anxiety among supporters, as it feels like everything is falling apart for the North Londoners no matter what they do.
Staring at relegation? Tottenham just cannot gather any momentum in the Premier League this season
Tottenham fans were in full voice before the home game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday. There was a constant effort from the match-going supporters to rally behind the players and help them get over the line in a must-win clash against Vitor Pereira’s men. But the loud cheers and strong backing were not enough to secure all three points in the end, as Forest caused an upset at N17 and pushed the North Londoners into further jeopardy.
Wayne Rooney now believes that the Spurs faithful are resigned to the fact that their team is heading for relegation from the Premier League after what unfolded during the Nottingham Forest game. Speaking to the BBC (via X), Rooney said,
“I think it’s an absolute disaster. Getting a positive result against Liverpool, and then obviously beating, I know they went out but, beating Atletico Madrid felt like getting back on track. And then the team you’re fighting relegation with, to play them at home and lose 0-3, it’s an absolute nightmare. It couldn’t have been a worse day.”
The legendary striker added,
“And the fans, even though you feel the players aren’t performing or running for you, the fans need to get there and get behind the team. But they need a response. They need something to keep them doing that for 90 minutes. And when you’re losing at home 3-0 to Forest, I think it’s gone beyond asking the fans to come and turn up. The fans, I think they’re waiting for them to get relegated.”
Wayne Rooney believes the game against Nottingham Forest was an absolute disaster for Spurs, especially after securing two positive results against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid last week. The former striker added that the fans were doing their best to get behind the team on Sunday, giving the players every reason to secure all three points at home in the Premier League. However, the players can hardly expect continued vocal support after failing to fight for the badge against Forest. Rooney also believes that supporters are now simply waiting for their side to be relegated, as nothing seems to be going their way in recent months.
It looks like the writing is on the wall for the North Londoners as they remain on the brink of entering the drop zone this season. After failing to win a single league game since the turn of the year, it appears increasingly likely that Spurs could drop down to the Championship next season. There would be major repercussions if that happens, given the club’s stature. The Lilywhites would face significant financial constraints, and it could take a long time for them to return to where they belong.