Tottenham Hotspur

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"If you've got no confidence, don't play."

That is the message from former Tottenham winger Chris Waddle to members of the current squad who have "no confidence" amid their recent dismal run.

Tuesday's disastrous 5-2 defeat by Atletico Madrid was a fourth successive loss in Igor Tudor's four games in charge.

When asked on the Football Daily podcast whether Tudor was the man to turn things around for Spurs, Waddle said: "Not at the moment, no. If you look at it, no, but then who can?

"The players are drained of confidence. They need to stand up and be counted. You've got players like [Cristian] Romero who have won the World Cup and is captain of the club.

"You've got international footballers throughout the squad and they don't do anything - the changing room obviously must not be as close as people say it is.

"You roll your sleeves up. It might be ugly and you might win 1-0 in a horrible game and it was terrible but they are so easy to play against Tottenham at the minute.

"I watch them play. I had four years there, it's a great club, I really enjoyed it. I watch them now and they don't look like they want to wear the shirt.

"We can talk all day about management and the players but the biggest thing in football is; if you've got no confidence, don't play.

"Just put your hand up and say, 'I'm sorry, I can't play'.

"You want players who are going to roll their sleeves up, get on the ball - what were you bought for? What are you paid for? To create, do things and work.

"The simple thing about football is working hard, being organsied - that's not hard.

"But you look at so many Spurs players and they hide because they've got no confidence. They don't want to cross that white line and you can see that. Every time I watch Tottenham play they are so easy to play against.

"They should go out and have a good drink and a good chat and tell the truth to each other."

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We asked for your thoughts after Tuesday's Champions League game between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.

Here are some of your comments:

Liam: Absolutely horrific. We had no structure, no formation half the time and we pressed one player at a time. Igor Tudor had awful team selection and substitutions. We looked like we never played football before!!!

Tim: If we want to instil in the players more passion and a greater sense of loyalty for the badge then Tudor has to go. How can he select a young keeper for such a big game and then not even give him eye contact when he's subbed off? After just four games the Tudor times are over.

Daniel: The morale of this "team" is so low. Tudor is not - and never was - the man for the job. His team selection is atrocious and he has no man management skills whatsoever. Sack him and bring in someone like Harry Redknapp who had an abundance of people skills because that's what's desperately needed now. Anything less and it'll be Championship football next season and the end of our club as we know it for who knows how long. COYS!

David C: Bring back Harry Redknapp.

Peter: We need a swift change of manager to someone the players respect. We need it now. If we continue on this road we are talking about the very future of the club. The fans don't deserve this rubbish. Tudor was the wrong choice admit it and act like leaders NOW.

David B: If we can't even pick the right boots, what chance did we have?

Richard: I keep on saying it: Mr Frank should never have been made the scape goat and I hope that is so so evident to everyone else now, now that we clearly have a half-rate nobody in charge of the team who is also only interested in himself and who doesn't give a monkeys about his players. The board should make a public apology to the sensible fans they betrayed and go cap-in-hand to a certain Danishman, grovelling for him to come back and do the rebuilding job that he was asked to do in the summer: and that takes time and patience.

Mike: Manager must go. Bring in someone that knows Tottenham. The current first team don't seem to be able to fight. Play the youngsters, at least they will give there all, can't see Tottenham pulling out of this.

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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Tottenham replaced goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky in the 17th minute of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid after conceding three goals.

The Czech Republic international, 22, endured a nightmare start and interim boss Igor Tudor quickly replaced him with Guglielmo Vicario.

He was not acknowledged by Tudor before he headed down the tunnel.

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty, who was at the match, said he was not sure he had "ever witnessed anything quite like this" after Spurs' series of mistakes was followed by Tudor's decision to take Kinsky off.

BBC Sport's Spanish football reporter Elizabeth Conway, also at the match, said Kinsky was shown support by team-mates Kevin Danso, Cristian Romero and Pedro Porro as he left the pitch.

Romero walked over to speak with Tudor shortly before Kinsky was substituted.

Asked if Romero advised Tudor to substitute Kinsky, Tudor said: "My decision, of course."

Asked if he deserved to continue in his role, Tudor said: "It is not a topic for me. It is not about my job. It is about how to help the team. It will be always be about that.

"I recognise what we are and which problems we have. I recognise that every game, something happens. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain."

Former Premier League goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel told CBS Sports: "Tudor has completely destroyed his career. I feel really sorry for him.

"When his name is mentioned in the future, the whole football world will remember this moment.

"He needed to be supported, at least until half-time."

Former Spurs and England goalkeeper Joe Hart told TNT Sports: "My heart is absolutely broken for him.

"He had a horrible 14 minutes - that slip and the third goal. I don't know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad.

"This Tottenham team is all over the place."

Former Spain and Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who plays for Fiorentina, posted a message of support for Kinsky on social media.

"No-one who hasn't been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position," De Gea wrote on X.

"Keep your head up and you will go again."

Read more on Kinsky's nightmare evening

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

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This is the question Tottenham's board members will be asking themselves after Igor Tudor's latest aberration: are the players responding to the manager's methods?

The answer appears clear. Four games have brought four losses, with 14 goals conceded.

Results aside, sources have indicated to BBC Sport in recent days that members of the Tottenham squad are still to be convinced that Tudor has the tools to guide this struggling team away from the sorry predicament they find themselves.

So, with that in mind, the club's hierarchy clearly has a big decision to make.

Before this latest loss, internal concerns over Tudor's position had already started to generate. This result will only serve to sharpen the focus on Tudor's job security in the coming days.

Before the clash, there was a sense that a positive performance in Madrid could be used as a building block for Tudor before a crucial game at Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.

You wonder if the manner of this loss – and the sub-plots that unraveled on a tortuous night for Spurs – has altered the direction of travel.

Tudor was appointed because of his track record in sparking immediate improvements at other clubs, namely at Juventus and Lazio.

His arrival has heralded the opposite effect. That, coupled with what some have described as a "disconnect" between players and the manager, leaves Tudor under increased scrutiny.

A decision to sack Tudor so soon after his appointment would provide a clear admission of error from the Tottenham hierarchy. The club's ownership, you would imagine, will be demanding answers.

But k.eeping Tudor may prove an even bigger mistake with Tottenham's top-flight status on the line.

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Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson says Igor Tudor's decision to substitute Antonin Kinsky in the 17th minute of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid after conceding three goals was "very selfish" and "blatantly for self-preservation".

The 22-year-old endured a nightmare start and interim boss Igor Tudor quickly replaced him, at 3-0 down, with usual first-choice Guglielmo Vicario.

"The manager certainly hasn't helped Kinsky at all," Robinson told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Nobody will understand where he is and there is nobody who knows you've made a mistake more than you as a goalkeeper.

"Unfortunately it is a very lonely place and that has been highlighted and magnified by the manager making that substitution.

"Him making that change after 16 minutes is going to be talked about worldwide. For him that will be soul-destroying.

"He's probably sat alone in the dressing room for the rest of the first half, I wouldn't be surprised if he was in tears in that situation.

"It's a really difficult thing to handle, but I think actually it's a very selfish decision from the manager because he knows that he's not here for long. He's making decisions that he thinks will keep him in a job and keep Spurs in the Premier League.

"It was a very selfish decision. He bought Kinsky in because Vicario has been poor in the league and I think he thought if Kinsky did well he had an excuse to keep him in for the rest of the season.

"He reverted on that decision very early. I've never seen a manager substitute a goalkeeper so early and so clearly as a result of mistakes. It's quite blatantly for self-preservation for the manager because he thinks it was the best decision for him at the time without consideration for the young goalkeeper."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Manchester United are all interested in Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. The 43-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season. (i paper), external

Tottenham Hotspur are still keen to sign Scotland left-back Andy Robertson despite their failed attempt in January, with Liverpool having decided to let the veteran control his own destiny when the 31-year-old's contract expires this summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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If Igor Tudor believed his brief losing reign could not get any worse after the home defeat by Crystal Palace, he reckoned without one of the most humiliating nights in Spurs' recent history.

The Croatian was bold with his team selection, especially dropping regular first choice Guglielmo Vicario for young deputy Antonin Kinsky.

To say it was a move that back-fired is a masterpiece of under-statement as Kinsky suffered the sort of personal nightmare that will take huge strength of character to recover from.

Even the hearts of Atletico's passionate, partisan support went out to Kinsky as his number came up following his errors, with team-mates also moving to offer words of comfort as he went off.

Tudor was in optimistic mood before the game, but that all changed inside 23 madcap minutes as Spurs slipped – literally – from one costly error to another, effectively ending this contest and, in all likelihood, the tie.

Spurs actually created chances of their own as Atletico stepped off the gas, but the damage was already done.

And it may be permanent damage for the beleaguered Tudor, who arrived as an emergency measure with a reputation for having an instant impact in his chequered coaching career.

Instead, things have arguably got worse and now, with a testing trip to Liverpool on Sunday and Spurs just one point off the Premier League relegation places, the club's hierarchy look like they will soon face another decision of huge significance in a bid to somehow rescue a season in freefall.

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Kevin Danso to TNT Sports after Tottenham's defeat against Atletico Madrid: "Anyone who watched the game they will have seen three unlucky moments, three slips that gave them goals. We all know what kind of team Atletico are, they defended very well and after that it was very difficult to get into the game.

On keeping spirits high: "It's difficult but that is what he have to do. This is the moment to show what type of team we are. This has to make us, not break us. These are the moments everyone has to stand up and show their character. We can't just talk and say it's going to get better, it's time everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and give more.

"It starts with working, getting our heads down and working on the pitch. We still managed to score two goals, created some chances.

"At home we need to show an abundance of character , take the game to them and turn it around."

Archie Gray said: "It's obviously a disappointing result. We didn't help ourselves with the best start. It was difficult to come back into the game after that. We have to focus on the next game and the second leg after that.

"It's difficult, mistakes happen, it's part of football. Tony [Kinsky] is young. I have made mistakes, everyone has, especially when you are younger. When it costs goals it is disappointing. But he is strong mentally so he will get through this, he'll be alright.

"We have got to take responsibility, what's happened this game and in the Premier League. In quite a lot of games this season it's been unacceptable. We have to take responsibility and push on."

Igor Tudor spoke to TNT Sports after Tottenham's defeat against Atletico Madrid, and was asked if starting Antonin Kinsky was a mistake: "No, after you see what happened, it's the wrong decision. But it was the right decision before.

"A change of competition, it was the right moment. Unfortunately, what happened, happened. I never changed a goalkeeper after 20 minutes."

On if he has spoken to Kinsky: "We don't need to comment. It's not the moment to speak too much. It was a strange game, very strange game. We gave them three goals. We even started good then the problems kill us in three situations.

"Very, very strange. Very unusual. It took our confidence. We had an opportunity to make it 4-2 then we concede a goal for 5-1.

"We apologise to the fans and to everyone. It's a difficult moment. Everything looks like going wrong. Small mistakes, we pay. Everything, unbelievable.

"Even this situation at the end, two players [colliding]. It felt like everything was going against us."

On why things aren't working: "I need to keep working. Not speaking too much, stay focused on the things we can do. It's unbelievably difficult to explain all these things, the first time in my career that I saw these things, 15 years.

"I'm focused on the problems, the players also. We need to stay positive."

On if he thinks board will stick with him: "It's not about me. We need to stay calm. Less talking.

"Better less talking. Now is not the moment to try and give a big explanation."

Former Spurs goalkeeper and TNT Sports commentator Joe Hart, at the time of Kinsky's substitution: "I've been trying to make sense of it . My heart is absolutely broken for him. He had a horrible 14 minutes, that slip and the third goal. I don't know what to say. I am just heartbroken for the lad."

Did you know?

Tottenham Hotspur have lost six consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time in their history.

Igor Tudor has become the first manager to lose each of his first four games in charge of Tottenham in all competitions.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Tottenham's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Igor Tudor insisted Premier League survival remains his priority despite the lure of this last 16 Champions League tie here against Atletico Madrid - and that may just be reflected in his starting line-up.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is dropped in favour of Antonin Kinsky, one of four changes from the side beaten at home by Crystal Palace.

Captain Cristian Romero returns after suspension, while Joao Palhinha and Dominic Solanke are on the bench. Souza misses out while Conor Gallagher is on the bench against his former club. Richarlison and Djed Spence start.

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Van de Ven, Danso, Romero, Spence, Gray, Sarr, Porro, Tel, Richarlison, Kolo Muani.

Subs: Vicario, Dragusin, Palhinha, Simons, Solanke, Gallagher, Austin, Olusesi, Rowswell.

Alexander Sorloth leads the way for Atletico Madrid with 16 goals in all competitions this season, but the Norway striker starts on the bench.

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Ruggeri, Hancko, Le Normand, Pubill, Lookman, Cardoso, Llorente, Simeone, Griezmann, Alvarez.

Subs: Musso, Gimenez, Koke, Barrios, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Gonzalez, Diaz.

There are four games in the Champions League on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Galatasaray v Liverpool (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Atalanta v Bayern Munich

• Atletico Madrid v Tottenham

• Newcastle v Barcelona - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Barcelona" for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

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Ex-Spurs defender Sebastien Bassong is hopeful the Champions League campaign will boost Tottenham's quest to survive this season.

Igor Tudor's side are in Spain tonight for the first leg of their last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid and have been impressive in Europe, in contrast to their domestic struggles.

"The good thing with football is that the next game is always coming round really quickly," Bassong said on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"The Champions League game is an opportunity for Tudor to galvanise his players and get them together in order to apply to the Premier League.

"They need to create some momentum if they are going to stay safe."

Bassong refused to blame injuries for Tottenham's troubles this season, instead suggesting their position in the table is down to a lot of "mistakes" at all levels.

"It is a collective - you can't put it down to one entity," he said. "However, they still have an opportunity to get out of trouble.

"That's what I am expecting from a big, talented group of players."

Listen from 01'28'00

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Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer was talking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about Tuesday's Champions League game between Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur (20:00 GMT).

"Spurs need to pick up some belief from somewhere because they've been awful all season, are in a terrible position and a realistic chance of being relegated and offered very little encouragement to think they can stay in the Premier League," he said.

"Away from the competition of the Premier League, they finished fourth in the league [Champions League league phase] which is a remarkable achievement in itself considering the way they have been playing.

"They might just take a little bit of comfort in being away from home and picking up that little bit of belief or confidence because their game against Atletico and their game against Liverpool at the weekend both away obviously.

"They're huge game for Tottenham and their fans.

"With that stadium and with the infrastructure, the training ground and everything else, it would be unbelievable if Spurs were to be relegated."

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Former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp says a result against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night "would be great" but insists the priority for Spurs has to be Premier League survival.

A run of 11 games without a win - and five straight defeats - has left Tottenham one point above the bottom three, with nine games to go.

"It is unbelievable they are in this position again with the squad they've got, the best training ground and best stadium in the country," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Unfortunately, the players haven't performed and they need to stand up and be counted. Spurs are in a dogfight.

"The ambition for this season has to be to stay in the Premier League."

New boss Igor Tudor has been unable to reverse the direction of travel but Redknapp does not believe he is to blame for their woes.

"It's very difficult - the team is struggling and no-one has a magic wand," he said. "Whatever is going on has been happening for the past 40 games. He can't just walk in and sprinkle star dust."

So will Redknapp be ready to step into the dugout if required?

"I won't - I don't expect to get a call," he added. "My focus this week is enjoying myself at Cheltenham!"

Listen to the full chat from 02'53'00 on BBC Sounds

Juventus are interested in signing Tottenham and England full-back Djed Spence, 25, in the summer. (Gazzetta dello Sport - in Italian), external

Former Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason is a leading candidate to replace Igor Tudor as interim boss at Spurs. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Tottenham boss Igor Tudor has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Atletico Madrid at Riyadh Air Metropolitano (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Tudor confirmed both Djed Spence and Cristian Romero are available to face Atletico Madrid, while Yves Bissouma and Souza will be unavailable, as the Spurs boss emphasised the importance of players beginning to come back. He also confirmed Richarlison will start.

• He added: "For the first time that I'm here, we will have, let's say, available players to play in the defensive side that are the players we usually play. So all three games happen that we miss the players in their positions, and we miss the players who are usually playing. So a beautiful game to play tomorrow, a totally different competition than the Premier League."

• On being able to select captain Romero: "Yes, he has missed it a lot. He was also not feeling good to not be in, with the circumstances to help the team. So now he's back, we was working these two, three weeks a lot. Even with the fitness coach he did a separate running session to be in better shape now that he's back. We are happy. I'm sure that tomorrow he'll be a leader like he's always been and that we'll make together a good game."

• Tudor said the "more the time is passing", he is seeing "more quality in everything", adding: "Lots of habits sometimes need more time than you expected to change. This is also very interesting and this is the thing we are speaking with the staff every day, how fast we can make changes."

• On the importance of these games against Atletico: "Every game is important. As I said, always after the game we need to be focused on us, to grow. It can be an opportunity. Totally different mentality can be used in this kind of game, so maybe this can help us, seeing which problems we have. I believe that these kind of games can help us to switch the right way."

• On whether they can try something new that could help their form for the rest of the season: "We need to do our best in terms of we need to grow. Because our first aim is the Premier League - this is something that needs to be said publicly, it's a normal thing - this is something extra, but that doesn't mean we don't want to pass and don't want to go to the next round."

Listen to full commentary of Atletico Madrid v Tottenham on Tuesday from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds

Got a question about Spurs? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Ali Speechly
Fan writer

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Last week Tottenham Hotspur seemed to secure its position as football's favourite punchline. The increasingly real possibility of relegation is no laughing matter for the club now.

While the rest of the football community giggles at our expense, it feels like some of our players are already admitting defeat.

It has been a miserable season for Spurs fans, and I completely empathise with the thousands who left the stadium early during our defeat to Crystal Palace.

I stayed until the bitter end, but not to claim any moral high ground. So numbed was I by the total capitulation I had witnessed from our team, that I simply couldn't muster the energy to move.

It is one thing for fans to make an early exit, but quite another for players to do so – and yet this is how it feels some of our team is behaving at the moment, particularly the more experienced individuals who should be leading, not leaving.

Where is the fight? Where is the desire? Where is the humility?

We all know the rot at Tottenham is much deeper than the players on the pitch, and that the signs of decay have been visible for years.

However, all that matters now is the next game. And the next one. And so on until we secure our Premier League survival.

The players on the pitch must win those games, or at the very least, they must try.

Even if some of the squad has mentally checked out – unbothered by the badge us fans love so dearly, and instead dreaming about their next club – they should still be playing for their own professional integrity.

If it does not come naturally, then the head coach must instil this fight into their players.

Which brings us to Igor Tudor, who is somehow still in charge, discussing players who can and can't stay on his boat.

At this point, the jokes write themselves.

Find more from Ali Speechly at Women Of The Lane, external and on Instagram, external

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Djed Spence and Radu Dragusin participated in an opening training session on Monday.

The defenders both missed Tottenham's 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.

New manager Igor Tudor's suitability for the role has been called into question as the Croat has lost all three games in charge so far.

On Tuesday, Spurs play the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie away at Atletico Madrid.

Without an abundance of options at left back, Tudor will welcome the return of Spence to training after the England international missed four of the past six games with calf issues.