Manager Thomas Frank says Tottenham are “desperate” for a win as they prepare to face Newcastle in a crucial Premier League game on Tuesday night.
Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United extended Spurs’ winless run in the league to seven games.
Their last Premier League victory came on 28 December when Archie Gray scored a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. We have to go back to December 6th for our last home win in the league, when we beat Brentford 2-0.
Similarly, our midweek opponents are winless in 4 league games.
“There’s no question we’re desperate and desperate to win the game,” Frank said.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur
“That’s the feeling you have when you don’t win enough.
“The way I work, it’s different for everyone, but even if you’re not winning enough, you do everything you can and actually try a little harder and try a little harder. I just know that’s how you get out of a tough moment.”
“That’s what I expect from the players and I think that’s actually what I see from the players. They’re running very hard. That’s why it’s so frustrating not to get anything out of the Manchester United game.”
“If it was 11-on-11, I’m sure we could have gotten something out of it.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports is predicting a big midweek of Premier League football with top and bottom games having major implications for the title race and the places to decide.
“We haven’t won enough yet and we have to be desperate because if you’re not desperate you don’t understand the situation you’re in.
“That’s what we want for our fans, that’s what we want for our team, that’s what we want for our club.”
The Dane dodged a question about whether Tottenham are in the relegation battle, with the club currently just six points behind 18th-placed West Ham.
“I’m focused on Newcastle tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said. “We have a great chance to play against a good team.
“That’s the most important thing. Can we go out there tomorrow and get the three points? That’s very good and we’ll climb from there. Looking forward, that’s what we have to do. That’s the main focus.”
“I think we have the quality[to get out of this situation]. We have a lot of players out, but of course that doesn’t help in any way.
“But I think we actually played a very competitive team against Manchester United and the first 30 minutes looked good.
“We lost two players tomorrow (Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogui), but Jed Spence is back and (Radu) Dragusin looked good when he came back.
“We know we’re going to field a very competitive team tomorrow as well, and we’re hoping to have a few more teams back after that, but we’ll see.”
Frank: “Romero needs to learn from the red card”
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Dermot Gallagher and Jay Bothroyd discuss why Romero was shown a straight red card for his challenge on Casemiro
Frank was asked whether Spurs captain Romero, who received a red card against Manchester United, is a leader or a liability.
“We talked enough about Romero in the last press conference,” Frank said. “For me, he’s a leader. Like I said before, he’s a young leader and he’s learning every day.
“I gave an example of someone who thought they were on top of the world when they were 30 years old, but in terms of leadership and understanding, they were nowhere near where they are today.
“Sometimes things like that happen when you have players who play with so much passion and aggression.
“That doesn’t mean he can’t learn from it. Of course he still needs to learn from it.”
Udogi is planning to go out for another month. It is unknown when Kulusevski will return.
Frank also confirmed that Udogi will be sidelined again with a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old, who missed December with a hamstring injury, had featured in Spurs’ last three games but was sent off after 55 minutes in the defeat to Manchester United.
“Unfortunately, Destiny has a hamstring injury and will be out for the next four to five weeks,” Frank said.
Destiny Udogi will not compete for another month
He also provided updates on Kevin Danso and Dejan Kulusevski.
“Kevin has met with a consultant. It will still be a few weeks before he is available,” he said.
“(Kulsevski) has another appointment this weekend where we will know more.
“But he is not in the Champions League squad, which shows that it is not tomorrow.”
Asked if Kulusevski could return before the end of the season, Frank added, “I don’t know.”
