Why Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation threat is no longer a joke | OneFootball

Sitting 16th in the Premier League table, one point outside the bottom three, Tottenham Hotspur are embroiled in a genuine fight for survival.

While many fans remain confident that the squad is too strong to go down, both historical data and current tactical trends suggest Spurs are sleepwalking towards a historic catastrophe.

Igor Tudor’s side have managed 29 points after 29 games, and history shows that three teams have been relegated from a similar position at this stage: Leeds United in 2022/23, Norwich City in 2013/14, and Newcastle United in 2008/09.

Since replacing Thomas Frank, Tudor has failed to inspire any semblance of a new manager bounce.

Spurs have regressed in almost every key metric: possession is down by 8%, while their defensive record has deteriorated from 1.42 goals conceded per game to a staggering three per game under Tudor.

The primary issue lies in Tudor’s aggressive, man-to-man defensive principles. Unlike the low-block systems commonly used by teams in a relegation battle, Tudor instructs his defenders to follow opponents deep into their own half.

This was painfully evident in the recent defeat to Crystal Palace, where Micky van de Ven was repeatedly pulled out of position—ultimately leading to a goal and a costly red card.

Compounding these tactical issues is a squad decimated by injury. Tottenham currently lead the Premier League with 8 first-team injuries.

While rivals like West Ham and Nottingham Forest have begun to find form under their new managers, Spurs remain the only Premier League team without a win in 2026.

As Spurs begin their final nine-game run with a trip to Anfield this weekend, the once-unthinkable prospect of Championship football is now a very real possibility.