'Nobody is too big to go down'published at 12:59 GMT 23 March
12:59 GMT 23 March
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast about Tottenham's 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest on Sunday and their survival chances: "It was amazing to see the fans showing that support [before the game] because there has been this disconnect for months with the players.
"After getting that point at Liverpool, everybody thought that could be the turning point, then following it up by beating Atletico - and then probably the biggest game for Tottenham in the past few weeks, they just didn't turn up. What a win for Forest.
"With the Premier League as it is today, nobody is too big to go down.
"You've got the top six or top eight, but everybody under that at the start of the season just looks to get safety and 40 points is normally that golden number.
"Tottenham were close last year, they had warning signs last year and winning the Europa League patched over a few cracks."
'Really difficult to play in so deflated and toxic an environment'published at 09:32 GMT 23 March
09:32 GMT 23 March
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
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Igor Tudor has earned just one point from his five league games - including a 4-1 thumping by Arsenal - as well as being dumped out of the Champions League following the chaotic first leg at Atletico Madrid.
Tottenham have won just 30 points from 31 Premier League games this season - their joint-lowest return after 31 games of a league campaign, along with 1914-15.
They are winless in their past 13 league matches (D5 L8), which equals the second-longest winless league run in their history dating back to 1912, with the record standing at 16 in 1934-35.
They must avoid setting a new record if they are going to survive, with relegation rivals West Ham's 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa the sliver of hope needed on a wretched afternoon.
"I think it's impossible for him to stay. I really do," ex-Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy told Match of the Day.
"It's really difficult for the players to play in an environment that's so deflated and toxic.
"The only way you can change that is either winning games, which they're not doing, or change a manager - what the fans want.
"If they keep him in charge, it's five league games without a win. A new guy comes in, gets one win and it can turn quickly. It's a risk worth taking and I think they'll take it.
"The players don't really look like they're at it. They've had a couple of decent performances this week and maybe people thought that the corner had been turned, but confidence was low again after they conceded.
"He made two changes at half-time and that didn't make them any better. If anything, they got worse as the second half went on."
Bruno Saltor took Tudor's news conference and believes the head coach and his staff will get time, with three weeks until they travel to Sunderland after the international break.
"Yeah, of course, we feel the support of everyone at the club and we're just focusing on how we can help the players," he said.
"What gives me belief? The last two games, against Liverpool and Atletico Madrid and the first half today. We should've been at least 1-0 up. Right now, every small detail is going against us. It is about turning it around and that's what gives us confidence."
Raj: Every time you think you cannot be let down by the club any further, they find a new way to disappoint you. It feels like everyone and everything is conspiring against us - dodgy ref decisions certainly. But, ultimately, poor performances and poor decisions from the board have brought us here. I've never felt more disconnected from the club or out of love with the game than I do right now.
Pat: After the impressive win over Atletico Madrid, one would have thought a braver line-up and style of football would have been the better choice. But they retreated to play an ineffective, long-ball style, which was so comfortable for Forest. It's a sad indictment on the owners and how they have made poor appointments, signings and maintained an out-of-date wage structure. Only a miracle can save us now.
Steve: It is seven games too late to have appointed a capable successor to Thomas Frank. With seven games and a three-week hiatus in prospect, it is now or never to bite the bullet. If Forest can have four managers in a season and then they come up with Sunday's performance, three for Spurs can't be a bad idea! Someone who can introduce all our defensive players to one another and instil the idea of teamwork into them...
Hugh: Guidance is required now otherwise Championship football awaits! This guy should never been appointed manager. Therefore, let's right the situation and appoint a manager with Premier League experience!
Forest fans
Sean: The first goal was key in this match, and for Igor Jesus to get back in the Premier League goals just on half-time delivered a real gut punch for both Tottenham's squad and their fans, which they didn't recover from. We looked totally at ease in the second half, and Morgan Gibbs-White had to score against them. The icing on the cake was seeing Taiwo Awoniyi bag another goal from the subs' bench. This has been a great week to be a Forest fan. We need to keep it going.
Luke: That's as good an away win as I can remember, and just at the right time. It felt like last season's standards, and we need that two or three times more to be safe this year. I wish we were playing again on Wednesday, and I bet the players do too. Still dreaming!
Michael: Wow! Just wow! I wasn't expecting a three-goal win, especially when you saw how the Spurs fans opted to get behind their team. Brilliant defending all day and three well-crafted goals that have been hard to come by. It could all change in a week, but hopefully this gives Forest the confidence to push on and get more points. COYR!
Ben: Not so much a huge win but an utterly essential one. Even when Forest were on the back foot in the first half, the commitment from the players was excellent and it meant they were in a position to capitalise when the chance arose. The goal advantage certainly helped Forest dictate the game more in the second half and three goals and a clean sheet will do their confidence the world of good. Not clear of the danger yet, but the momentum and control is back with Forest!
Tottenham analysis: Tudor in crisis with Spurs cheered on and booed offpublished at 18:33 GMT 22 March
18:33 GMT 22 March
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Where do Tottenham go from here?
It could not have been any more damaging if they had tried and a sixth defeat in seven Premier League games pushes them closer to relegation.
Tudor's position will now surely be in doubt just over a month after being appointed as Thomas Frank's replacement.
The former Croatia defender has earned just a point from his five Premier League games and suffered a humiliation against Forest - who had not won in the Premier League for two months.
Tottenham are in disarray and could suffer relegation from the top flight for the first time since 1977.
It could have been scripted. Spurs did start with some purpose following the backing from the fans but that evaporated in the second half.
Igor Jesus' goal silenced Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Gibbs-White's goal was the cue for some fans to leave.
Awoniyi added more pain but after just two home league wins all season - against Brighton and Brentford - it should not come as a surprise.
Tottenham were cheered on and booed off and their Premier League fate is increasingly in the balance.
Tottenham 0-3 Nottingham Forest: What Saltor saidpublished at 16:56 GMT 22 March
16:56 GMT 22 March
Media caption,
Tottenham coach Bruno Saltor, speaking to Sky Sports about why he has stepped in for Igor Tudor:
"Personal matters, family matters and I am stepping in as it is not right time for him to speak.
"Every mistake right now is going against us, every detail is going against us and it affects the players as well.
"You can see how much they are fighting. We are in a difficult situation, everyone knows. In the first half we were the better team and need to be consistent with that.
"We were 1-0 down and wanted to be a little more aggressive with players coming back from injuries. It didn't work as planned but it was our intention.
"It hurts us, it is painful, really painful, but the fans were outstanding today - from before the game until the end of the game.
"We need to carry on because we care, we care for Spurs, we are family and want to get out of this situation.
"I am 100% sure we can get through this situation."
Did you know?
This is just the third time that Tottenham have lost by 3+ goals at home to a side starting the day in 17th or lower in the Premier League table, along with 0-3 defeats to West Ham in October 2013 and Sheffield Wednesday in August 1998.
Tottenham haven't won any of their last 13 league matches (D5 L8), equaling their second longest winless run in league competition in their history (also 13 in November 1912). They've only had a longer run once before, going 16 without a victory between December 1934 and April 1935.
Tottenham have won just 30 points from 31 Premier League games this season – accounting for 3pts/win all-time, this is their joint-lowest return after 31 games of a league campaign, along with 1914-15 (30).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Spurs v Nottingham Forest".
Sutton's predictions: Tottenham v Nottingham Forestpublished at 10:17 GMT 22 March
10:17 GMT 22 March
People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game.
Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition's threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers - that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.
Nottingham Forest's issue is that they don't score enough goals and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here.
I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.
I don't think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game.
Spurs' first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against in their previous home league game.
They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team.
Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday's home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn't enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that.
Forest 'have no choice but to win'published at 18:44 GMT 21 March
18:44 GMT 21 March
Ellie Molloson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Sunday's fixture against Tottenham Hotspur is no longer just another league game; it is a relegation play-off.
The margin for error has evaporated. Nottingham Forest and West Ham have 29 points, with Spurs just one point ahead at 30. Whilst Spurs appear to be more comfortable than West Ham who currently sit 18th, momentum tells a different story.
West Ham have found their stride - including a gritty draw against Manchester City - and Leeds have carved out a three-point cushion. On current form, the Hammers look likely to climb clear, leaving a direct shootout between Forest and Spurs to decide who remains a Premier League team.
That means a draw is not enough. We have no choice but to win.
Both squads are packed with proven talent, yet both have struggled with confidence, stability and, at times, a lack of heart. Both are severely under-performing, and on their day, both can be unbeatable.
Football talent, skill and ability is not why either team is here and, therefore, it does not make sense to attempt to analyse the actual football here. The result will be determined by who wants it more.
The danger is that Spurs have finally begun to rally, with their fans sensing the cliff edge and the players finally showing a tiny bit of grit with their two most recent results. We cannot afford to let them find their feet. We have to treat this with the intensity of a cup final. We need to be the 12th man.
Many outlets are already discussing Forest's relegation as a foregone conclusion. Discussing what we will do if we go down, which players go out and how we can manage Europe and the Premier League. But the season is not done yet!
The media might be busy writing the post-mortem for our season, but as a very wise man once said: "I hope anybody's not stupid enough to write us off."
Tottenham Hotspur v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:08 GMT 21 March
13:08 GMT 21 March
Relegation rivals Tottenham and Nottingham Forest meet in north London on Sunday (14:15 GMT).
A corner turned for Spurs?
This week marked the end of the road for Tottenham in Europe but also suggested a corner may have been turned in their awful form.
After four consecutive defeats under Igor Tudor, an injury-hit Spurs side scored a last-minute equaliser against Liverpool last Sunday to earn a first point under their interim boss. That was followed by his first win in charge, a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid.
The victory couldn't save Tottenham's European campaign but, just as with the fightback against Liverpool, it was the spirited manner of the performance that gave hope to a Spurs side that has looked beleaguered in recent times.
And against Atletico, they managed to do it in front of their own fans at home, a place where their continuing struggles have been even more sharply thrown into focus.
With their awful injury crisis also showing signs of easing, there is cause for optimism among fans.
However, Tottenham remain one of only two teams in the top four tiers of English football not to have won a league match in 2026, along with already-relegated Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.
Only three Premier League sides have had longer runs without a win from the start of a calendar year, all of whom were relegated (Sunderland in 2002-03, Derby in 2007-08 and Middlesbrough in 2016-17).
Spurs are winless in 12 Premier League games (D5, L7), their longest such run since 1935. Tudor has shown he can get a reaction out of his players, now he needs them to give them his first league victory.
Forest need another Wood
Nottingham Forest's victory in this fixture last season put them third in the table and very much in the Champions League mix, a dream that was dashed only on the final day of the Premier League campaign.
Less than 12 months later, Forest are in a huge battle at the other end of the table and their lack of attacking options this season has been exposed.
Forest had scored 50 goals after 30 league matches in 2024-25; at the same stage this season, they have managed just 28, the second-lowest total in the top flight.
Chris Wood supplied 20 of Forest's 58 Premier League goals last season, but has not played since mid-October because of a knee injury.
Forest spent £160m on forwards and attacking midfielders last summer – so far they have contributed five league goals between them, while centre-forward Lorenzo Lucca, who has scored just once since arriving on loan from Napoli in January, already seems to be out of favour.
Igor Jesus, one of those summer signings, is Forest's top scorer this season with 12 goals but 10 have come in Europe.
Despite having the eighth-highest number of shots this season (384), Forest have the lowest shot conversion rate in the top flight (7.3). They have also failed to score in 14 of their 30 league games, with the 3-0 win over Spurs in the reverse fixture in mid-December the last time they scored three in a league match.
'Result against Forest will determine our season'published at 19:31 GMT 20 March
19:31 GMT 20 March
Ali Speechly Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
If you had told me at the start of the season that our Premier League survival would hinge on a six-pointer against Nottingham Forest, I would have laughed in your face.
Seven months later, it turns out the joke is on me.
While this season has been a comedy of errors for Spurs, consecutive positive performances have shifted the momentum in our favour and we could yet have the last laugh.
If the draw against Liverpool was a turning point, the victory against Atletico Madrid confirmed that we are definitely moving in the right direction.
Three points this Sunday would ensure there is no looking back and it is essential that we secure them, by any means necessary.
With the Premier League table as delicately balanced as it is, it doesn't feel dramatic to say that the result against Forest will determine our season. Win and we avoid relegation. Lose? Well, that doesn't bear thinking about. Even a draw feels like it would be no good here.
I am still not convinced by Igor Tudor – particularly his man-management style – but with this Forest game being one of those "win at all costs" scenarios, it doesn't really matter if I like the interim manager or not.
We have reached crunch point and we will take the wins however we can come by them.
In an ideal world, that would be by playing the Tottenham way – with flair, confidence and goals that still get replayed decades later.
We have struggled to consistently replicate our glorious history in the modern era, particularly this season, but we must make sure that journey of self-rediscovery is one that takes place in the highest league of English football.
I might be biased, but I believe it is where we belong.
Tudor on Solanke's fitness, 'beautiful sense of togetherness' & Forest published at 15:06 GMT 20 March
15:06 GMT 20 March
Tottenham boss Igor Tudor has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (14:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Tudor said he thinks Dominic Solanke will be fit to face Forest: "Dom didn't train [today] but probably tomorrow he will train with the team and I think he will be available. He had a hip problem but I think he will be OK."
He added that James Maddison, who has been out since pre-season with an ACL injury, could play this season: "Yeah, Maddison is already doing some interesting things with the ball and sprinting, he is positive."
Mohammed Kudus is progressing "very well" and could be back with the squad in "10 days", while Rodrigo Bentancur is "edging closer" to a comeback, and Joao Palhinha is back in training following concussion protocols for his clash of heads with Cristian Romero in the first leg against Atletico Madrid.
On fan mood after a draw at Liverpool and win on the night against Atletico: "Beautiful sense of the togetherness with the fans. I enjoyed the sensation of us doing well on the pitch and sharing it with the fans. We need to continue all together."
He was pleased with Xavi Simons' performance against Atletico: "He himself was motivated, was good, was with the right mentality. When he's like that, his qualities come out. So his qualities connect a lot with these things I said now. It was a really beautiful surprise for me. He was inside from the first second of the game. It was nice to find in him this resource we will need in these last games we still have to play."
Tudor was asked about being charged by the FA with misconduct over his claim that referee Thomas Bramall favoured the "home team" in Spurs' 2-1 Premier League loss at Fulham, and said: "I have spoken to the club but I'm focused on the game."
On fan feeling going into such a huge game: "There's a positivity but also an understanding the game will not be easy. It is an important game but will probably not decide anything. We need just to keep going with what we did last week."
When asked what he has learned about his players that he didn't know before, Tudor said: "Nothing new."
On the challenge posed by Forest: "It's a long game to play, a few games in the game. You need to be inside from the first to last second of the game, including five subs. So a big respect to them because they have players who can hurt us, but as well, going on our sides, going on with our things, with confidence, with courage, with humbleness, with all the stuff necessary to take the points."
Tuchel names England squad for March friendliespublished at 10:41 GMT 20 March
10:41 GMT 20 March
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Gray proving shining light in Spurs' season of turmoilpublished at 08:57 GMT 20 March
08:57 GMT 20 March
Matt Jones BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Seismic changes are coming at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, whether they stay up or not.
Plenty of players will move on, lots of new faces will come in, and another coach will almost certainly be in the dugout. A few members of the squad may even emerge from this adversity hardened and improved.
Archie Gray is the prime candidate for the latter. In recent weeks, when Tottenham have sunk to calamitous lows, the 20-year-old has raged against the dying of the light in north London.
Gray made his 16th European start for Spurs against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night, with only Steve Perryman making more in the club's history before the age of 21, and it was among his best performances since his £30m transfer from Leeds in 2024.
It was an all-round effort Spurs fans have grown used to. The youngster created two chances - including an assist - and won possession back a team-high nine times for Tottenham.
Despite his tender years, Gray has clearly earned Tudor's trust. He is the only player to have started every game for the Croatian, and so far that faith in the youngster is being repaid.
Gray's versatility has been valuable to Spurs over the last couple of seasons, with injury crises and managerial changes - and subsequently different tactics and formations - creating a chaotic environment.
In his first season, Gray played 53% of his minutes as a centre-back and 21% as a right-back in all competitions. This year, he has had a little more stability in his preferred midfield role, albeit he's still been plugged into gaps when required.
Despite his grandad Frank and great-uncle Eddie representing Scotland, Gray has opted for England, although he has yet to make a senior appearance for the Three Lions.
A final decision on his international allegiance will have to be made soon if he continues this form, with a call-up probably on the cards.
Image source, Getty Images
