Igor Tudor praises Tottenham squad’s response to his extraordinary rant after Fulham loss | OneFootball

Interim Tottenham manager Igor Tudor has offered a vote of confidence in his beleaguered squad, asserting they possess the players required to secure Premier League survival, despite his recent public dressing down.

Just days after an extraordinary rant following Sunday’s 2-1 loss at Fulham, where he criticised his team’s performance across all areas, Tudor now claims to be impressed by their reaction.

The Croatian’s initial remarks had sparked debate over his short tenure and how a team without a league win in 10 matches would respond.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s crucial home fixture against Crystal Palace, Tudor reflected on his post-match comments.

"Of course after the game, there are emotions, there are disappointments because you work, you want (to win) and the players also work hard and want (to win), but the result didn’t come, so of course it was a little bit disappointing," he said.

He defended his strong reaction, stating: "It’s how it should be after the games. You need to be angry and disappointed. You don’t need to be the guy who comes there and says everything is perfect, smile and nothing happens."

Tudor emphasised the need for accountability.

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Tottenham were beaten by Fulham on Sunday (Getty Images)

"Also, to send a message to everyone, me personally, and everyone to not accept this situation, but we go on. We move on, we have a good, short period to prepare this game, but I saw the guys reacting well."

The 47-year-old also addressed the intense pressure facing his team.

"Everyone understands the situation, but we are working hard to change this, otherwise there is something wrong if you don’t understand. Of course my job is to put the pressure away, but their job is also to accept this pressure as part of the job."

He drew a stark comparison to other professions: "Working in jobs like doctors who do operations, they are dealing and decide about life and death. That is the real pressure. This is sport.

“The club, Tottenham, has always been a club with big pressure so you need to be ready to accept this and stand up, not stay behind. Take responsibility and have courage to confront these things. This is the best way to do things and the only way to do things."

Tudor concluded with a hopeful outlook: "So I hope we have and I am sure because I saw in training that we have these men to step up and take responsibility and make us start doing first of all good performances and also winning points."

Tottenham will still be without 10 players for the Palace match, though Djed Spence could return for next Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first leg against Atletico Madrid. Tudor hinted that 19-year-old January recruit Souza might make his full debut at left-back.

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Djed Spence (right) could return next week (REUTERS)

The interim boss dismissed the notion of a must-win game, but offered insight into his tactical thinking regarding impact substitutes like Mathys Tel.

"No, there is no must-win game, all the games need to be won," Tudor clarified. "What I recognise here and especially in this league, there is a special game in the last 15-20 minutes. It is always a game within a game.

“Probably for them (substitutes), it is not easy to understand and no-one wants to accept, I am the same but in games, a lot of games are decided in the last 20 minutes."