Tudor backs Tottenham to respond after Fulham defeat

• Interim head coach says squad have “the men” to secure survival
• Spurs without a league win in 10 matches
• Palace visit comes amid mounting pressure

Igor Tudor has said he has been encouraged by the reaction of his under-pressure Tottenham Hotspur squad and believes they have the character required to secure Premier League survival.

The interim head coach criticised his players following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Fulham, stating they had fallen short in attack, midfield and defence. The remarks, delivered just two matches into his tenure, prompted questions about how the group would respond amid a run of 10 league games without a win.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s home fixture against Crystal Palace, Tudor defended his post-match reaction.

“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.

“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.

“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.

“Everyone understands the situation, but we are working hard to change this, otherwise there is something wrong if you don’t understand.”

Tudor acknowledged the pressure attached to the role but insisted it must be embraced.

“My job is to put the pressure away, but their job is also to accept this pressure as part of the job,” he added.

“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.

“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 remain without 10 players for the visit of Palace, though Djed Spence could return for next week’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Atletico Madrid.

Tudor hinted that January signing Souza, 19, could deputise at left-back against Palace and make his full debut. He also played down suggestions the fixture is a must-win, while emphasising the importance of substitutes in the closing stages of matches, suggesting Mathys Tel may again be used as an impact option.

“There is no must-win game, all the games need to be won,” Tudor said.

“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, 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.”