Concerns raised over Spurs manager Igor Tudor ahead of Fulham clash
Former Tottenham defender Stephen Carr has raised two concerns about manager Igor Tudor ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage, reports BritPanorama.
Tudor, appointed on an interim basis following the dismissal of Thomas Frank, faced a challenging start last weekend as Tottenham suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to North London rivals Arsenal.
Since his appointment, Tudor has taken the managerial reins at Spurs as his 12th role across various clubs since 2013. However, Carr expressed skepticism regarding Tudor’s managerial record and highlighted his lack of Premier League experience as a potential risk for the club.
“I’ve been speaking about how Robbie Keane would be a good fit for Spurs right now, given what he is doing in Hungary. He knows the club well and could get a tune out of the players,” Carr stated. He added, “Tudor hasn’t any Premier League managerial experience, his record isn’t amazing, and although he seems a strong taskmaster, he has a lot of work to do to get these players winning games and moving away from the relegation zone.”
The appointment has been met with mixed perceptions, as many suggested that a managerial figure more familiar with the club’s culture might have been a wiser choice. Carr noted, “It was a strange appointment as interim, when many were saying someone who knows the club and what it means to play for Spurs could be more advisable at this stage, but the decision was made, so Tudor is a gamble and one we hope comes off from a Spurs perspective.”
The current season has come under scrutiny, with Tottenham grappling with poor performances and disappointing results. As Carr pointed out, everyone involved in the club needs to share the responsibility for the team’s struggles: “There is no one person who should shoulder the blame.” He emphasized that a range of factors, including ownership, management, injuries, and player performances, contribute to the situation.
“We know the ownership aren’t putting enough to wages for players, which has been evident. Plus, the recruitment of Thomas Frank, although it looked a smart move following his time at Brentford, hasn’t worked out at all given his results,” Carr noted.
Worryingly, injury issues have plagued the squad, with key players absent for significant portions of the season. Carr remarked, “You look at that injury list, and any other team would be struggling losing their top players for injuries.” He further commented on the players’ recent performances, noting, “But those who have been fit are not performing to a level they should be.”
In the wake of the Arsenal match, a video surfaced purportedly showing defender Micky van de Ven ignoring Tudor’s instructions on the touchline. Carr, however, believes the incident has been exaggerated, stating, “That isolated video isn’t anything to talk about, to be honest. The player would have been working all week about facing Arsenal and you’re facing the best team in England right now, who can cause many problems for you.”
He added that Tottenham’s lack of defensive cohesion has become a pressing issue, citing the need for improved competition in key midfield areas.
As Tudor settles into his interim role, the pressing question remains: can he turn around the fortunes of a Spurs side desperately in need of resurgence? Just how pressing the challenge is may only become clearer in the coming weeks, as the alluring spectre of relegation looms larger.
