The 2/10 flop should never wear a Spurs shirt again

Tottenham Hotspur are still above the dotted line in the Premier League – just a little bit. However, it is the poor nature of Igor Tudor’s side that has created such a sense of dread across the N17.

The fear is almost palpable. Tottenham can really be relegated to the top flight. Nottingham Forest and West Ham United are both points behind the 16th-placed Londoners, but both teams are in better form, playing with conviction and togetherness.

None of that could be found between the Tottenham teams as they conceded one goal and lost 3-1 at Crystal Palace, condemning them to a fifth successive defeat in the Premier League.

Cristian Romero, at least, has served his four-game suspension. He will be there for the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in a week’s time. However, Micky van de Ven will not be.

Van de Ven won for Spurs

Many times over the last few years, Van de Ven has been Tottenham’s most quality player. He has been more than just a protector, a genius and a source of inspiration, he is very powerful and kind and influential.

But it was his moment of madness that turned the game against Crystal Palace on its head. Van de Ven was sent off after bringing down Ismaila Sarr in the box. That earned him the spotlight of a red card, and now he will be banned for one game.

In a different reality, the Netherlands international may have overruled his challenge, keeping Sarr out and ensuring Tottenham went into the break with a one-goal advantage.

On the other hand, Romero and Van de Ven will link arms and fight against Arne Slot’s Liverpool next week, but the captain will now have to go it alone, led by Pedro Porro and Kevin Danso.

The Londoners are in trouble, and will have to make do without Van de Ven next time in the Premier League, but there is no question that the Dutchman should return to the starting line-up as soon as possible.

The Spurs flop doesn’t have to play another minute

Van de Ven may be needed in the business months of the 2025/26 campaign, but the same cannot be said for all of the club’s regular starters.

Indeed, the same cannot be said of Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks. The Italian shot stopper has been on offense all season, and against the Eagles, it turned sour again.

He may have started with a couple of strong saves, but Vicario, 27, was wrong-footed trying to save Sarr’s penalty, and was responsible for both of Palace’s subsequent strikes in a terrible 12-minute spell.

This was no mean feat, and Antonin Kinksy’s hopes of getting a start in the Premier League could now be turned upside down, as Spurs run out of weeks to save themselves.

In fact, it could be said that Vicario should not play another minute in a Tottenham shirt, with his position one of many that need to be fixed come the summer, even if Tottenham stay top. Until then, he must be brought down. One content creator expressed, passionately, his thoughts after the game: “I don’t want to see Vicario in the starting lineup again.”

There have been calls for Vicario’s resignation for some time. His lackluster and error-ridden play has been a constant source of pain throughout the season.

Kinsky is still young and unpolished, but something has to change. Tudor need to do something, because anything like that will knock the Lilywhites out of the Premier League.

It is not clear, but the possibilities are increasing, and something has to change.

Related

Just joined: The next Kane could end Richarlison’s Spurs career

Tottenham need to reshape their front line if they are to avoid relegation to the Premier League.