Managing Tottenham with Igor Tudor sack decision and formation change | Football | Sport

Three games into Igor Tudor’s reign, things are looking worrying for Tottenham Hotspur. There have been occasional causes for optimism in all three of those fixtures but a record of no points under the Croatian boss is the only thing that will matter to some. The most recent of those losses was arguably the most painful, with Spurs self-destructing in the first half against Crystal Palace. A red card for Micky van de Ven was the turning point in the 3-1 loss and they will have to make do without the suspended Dutchman for their trip to Liverpool on March 15.

Tudor’s side have two legs of their Champions League round of 16 game against Atletico Madrid either side of that Anfield visit. Their final game before the international break could be the most important, though, with Nottingham Forest’s trip to north London now feeling like a relegation six-pointer. There have been calls for Spurs to part ways with their manager sooner rather than later, with a decision potentially vital to whether they can create distance between themselves and the bottom three. We’ve taken a closer look at the big decisions facing the London side and what they might want to do.

Tudor sack decision

Spurs arguably have a friendlier fixture list than the clubs directly below them in the table, Forest and West Ham. However, this will count for little if they continue to put in disjointed performances like the one in the first half against Palace.

Tudor might not be the only problem but there are few signs he has the tools to turn things around. It ought not to cost a great deal to dismiss the former Juventus boss, given his contract only runs until the end of the season.

It might sound like a cliche but the temptation to install a replacement who knows the club will surely have grown after Manchester United’s success adopting a similar approach with Michael Carrick. Former Spurs player and manager Glenn Hoddle has already indicated he’d be open to the role, perhaps working in tandem with Robbie Keane, while Ryan Mason’s recent struggles at West Brom might not rule him out of returning to the dugout in a more familiar environment.

Return of the back four

Injuries have been a big problem this season but slowly and surely some players are returning. Pedro Porro has been available for the last two matches after missing the previous four, as has Kevin Danso, while Destiny Udogie is closing in on a return after a hamstring injury sustained at Manchester United has kept him out for a month.

Van de Ven will miss the next game through suspension but captain Cristian Romero is back after a ban of his own. This ought to allow a return to four at the back sooner rather than later after Tudor’s back three has failed to deliver anything approaching solidity.

The current manager’s plans have seen a midfielder or full-back used in central defence, with Joao Palhinha the man to fill the role against Arsenal in late February. A change of formation could be enough for Spurs to get the best out of their available players in more than one area.

It remains to be seen whether these changes would immediately bring about the uptick so desperately needed. However, Spurs need something to change and need it to change quickly.