Tottenham's Fitness Crisis: Igor Tudor Demands More from 'Fatigued' Squad
Interim Tottenham Hotspur head coach Igor Tudor has launched a stark assessment of his squad's physical capabilities, bluntly stating that the players are not fit enough and questioning their willingness to work hard without possession. The Croatian manager, who took charge two weeks ago, faces a mounting injury crisis and a team low on confidence as they battle to avoid relegation.
'We Need to Put Petrol in the Engine'
Tudor did not mince words when discussing the team's condition. "Physically, we are not in an amazing situation," he admitted. "They have played lots of games in the last period without lots of players available, and it made the physical condition of the team drop down. So we need to use this period where we don't play the games to put some petrol in the engine so the engine starts to work better."
The manager highlighted that the squad's fatigue is severely impacting their ability to execute high-pressing tactics, which require peak fitness levels. He emphasised that defensive diligence is equally crucial, noting: "It is easy to run there, but you need to run back. If you run up and don't run back, it's a problem."
Training Intensity Ramps Up
With no midweek fixtures recently, Tudor has seized the opportunity to implement an intensive fitness regimen, surprising players with demanding sessions that did not taper off before last Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. "Yes, that's the only way – running," Tudor asserted. "The pitch is 100 yards, it's long. So you need to run."
He acknowledged that players typically dislike running drills without the ball but insisted there is no time to cater to preferences. "It's a moment when there is no time to think too much about what somebody doesn't like," Tudor stated, adding that the squad has shown willingness to embrace the tough approach.
Injury Woes and Youthful Pressure
The physical issues are compounded by an injury crisis that has left Tottenham without eight players, plus the suspended Cristian Romero, for Sunday's trip to Fulham. Although Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso may return, the squad remains stretched thin.
Tudor expressed concern over the younger players' ability to handle the pressure of a relegation fight. "Some players are still young," he noted. "They were brought here to help, and now maybe they are in a moment where they need to resolve the problems."
He urged them to seize the opportunity for growth, saying: "It's also an opportunity and a challenge to grow fast, to become a man. To say: 'Come on, I'm the guy, give me the ball, I will score.' Instead of just: 'What can I do? I'm just here, you know.'"
Looking Ahead to Fulham and Beyond
Tudor has quickly moved on from the Arsenal defeat, focusing instead on the upcoming fixtures against Fulham and Crystal Palace, which he views as more realistic barometers of the team's survival prospects. "After the first game, I said if you play against the best team in the world at this moment, it's not a realistic game to show [whether] we are soldiers or we are not soldiers," he explained.
The manager called for players like Randal Kolo Muani, who scored against Arsenal, to consistently raise their game. "That's good, one good thing," Tudor remarked, but he wants more such performances to turn the tide.
As Tottenham navigate this critical period, Tudor's no-nonsense approach and focus on fitness and mental resilience will be tested. The coming matches will reveal whether his methods can ignite a much-needed revival at the club.
