Struggles Mount for Tottenham as Relegation Concerns Grow

omidbasir- The atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become increasingly tense as the club’s domestic season approaches a critical juncture. Spurs have had a dismal start to 2026, failing to secure a single Premier League victory in their last seven matches, resulting in a drop to 15th place on the table. Following a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, the London side now finds itself just six points above the relegation zone—a situation that seemed unimaginable at the campaign’s outset.

While their European performance has offered a temporary reprieve, the pressure on manager Frank is intensifying. Fans have begun to voice their frustrations publicly, with calls for leadership changes growing louder after each winless weekend. The team appears to lack both confidence and defensive stability, and with a daunting schedule ahead, the threat of being drawn into a genuine relegation battle is now a pressing concern.

The upcoming match against Newcastle on Tuesday is viewed as a must-win for a manager who is increasingly fighting for his position.

In a recent media briefing, Frank was questioned about whether the team is officially in a relegation fight. His response provided a candid insight into the club’s mental state. “There’s no doubt we are desperate to win games. Desperate,” he stated. “I’m focusing on Newcastle tomorrow. That’s a great opportunity against a good team. Can we go out there and earn three points? That would be significant. From there, we can look forward and climb up the table. That’s our main focus.”

When pressed on his use of the term “desperate,” Frank acknowledged that he could have expressed it differently but emphasized its relevance to their situation. He reflected, “If you haven’t won enough, you must do everything possible to change that. You work a little harder, knowing that’s how to overcome tough times. I expect that from the players, and I believe I see that commitment. I was particularly frustrated that we couldn’t secure any points against United, as I’m convinced we could have had a different outcome with 11 men on the pitch.”

The medical update from Frank added to the gloom surrounding the club. He confirmed that Italian left-back Destiny Udogie has become the latest key player to join an injury list that includes James Maddison, Pedro Porro, Richarlison, and Ben Davies. Frank detailed Udogie’s hamstring injury, which will sideline him for four to five weeks. He also discussed the ongoing recovery process for long-term absentee Dejan Kulusevski, noting, “It’s a long-term effort combining various aspects like gym work, recovery, and managing game load.”

Frank mentioned fellow players Kevin Danso and Dejan Kulusevski will also be unavailable for the immediate future, with Kulusevski requiring another specialist appointment later in the week.

In a rare piece of positive news, Frank confirmed that Djed Spence has recovered from a calf issue and will be available to fill the gap left by Udogie and the suspended Cristian Romero. Throughout the media briefing, Frank defended his captain, who will begin his suspension following a red card in the match against United.

“We lose two players for tomorrow, but Djed Spence is back,” he noted. “I believe Radu Dragusin will also look promising upon his return. We’ll be able to field a competitive team tomorrow, and hopefully, more players will be back soon.”

When questioned about Romero’s leadership qualities following his recent dismissal and public criticism of the club, Frank affirmed, “I consider him a leader. He’s a young leader, still learning every day. I remember when I was 30; I thought I was at my peak, yet I still had much to learn about leadership and understanding the game. Passion and aggression can sometimes lead to mistakes, and while he needs to learn from these experiences, that doesn’t diminish his potential as a leader moving forward.”