No matter how you look at it, the prospect of relegation from the Premier League is no longer a pipe dream for Tottenham Hotspur.
The heavy 1-4 defeat to Arsenal in the North London derby right at home caused Spurs to drop to 16th place. The gap between them and West Ham United is only 4 points after the weekend round - an alarming number when the season is only 11 matches away.
Alarming form
Tottenham has not won in their last 9 domestic league matches. In the past month, they have been the team with the worst form in the league. The victory over Crystal Palace and the hard-fought draw against Manchester City are rare bright spots in a streak of only 7 points.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest and West Ham - the two teams right behind - both earned 12 points in the same period, quickly narrowing the gap to 5 points. If this trend continues, the last two rounds of the season for Spurs - the away match to Chelsea and the reception of Everton - could completely become do-or-die finals.
Force crisis
Any analysis of Spurs' current situation must mention the injury storm. This is already the second consecutive season they have suffered heavy personnel losses.
Tottenham currently has 11 players who cannot play - more than any other team in the Premier League. Captain Cristian Romero is absent from the derby due to suspension, while long-term injuries of Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison have significantly reduced creativity and scoring ability. Mohammed Kudus and Wilson Odobert are also being treated.
The thin and damaged squad forces Spurs to strain themselves on two fronts. They must strive to win a ticket to the next round in the UEFA Champions League, alongside the increasingly fierce relegation battle in the domestic league.
Last season, Ange Postecoglou could have sacrificed the Premier League front to focus on Europe when the squad was devastated. But this time, Igor Tudor does not have that privilege. Spurs no longer have a safe buffer. And if their form does not improve soon, the prospect once considered unimaginable - relegation - could become a bitter reality.
Spurs' bad habits and psychological problems
Igor Tudor did not avoid the reality after Tottenham's 1-4 defeat to Arsenal. He frankly admitted that the team is not good enough, although he still believes Spurs will avoid relegation scenarios in the Premier League this season.
However, the biggest problem according to Tudor is not only tactics or personnel, but also the psychological foundation that has been deeply rooted for many years.
There were too many bad habits before," Tudor said after the North London derby. This is a statement reflecting the situation that has existed through many coaches of the "Roosters", from Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Postecoglou to Thomas Frank.
No one can tell me that we lack quality. But we need to change. Need a change in spirit, need sharpness in psychology to enter the game right from the first minutes and must have a good physical foundation" - Tudor emphasized.
That admission shows that Spurs are not only fighting against opponents on the field, but also with themselves. As relegation pressure is increasing and confidence is eroded after a series of disappointing matches, rebuilding collective psychology is not a simple task.
Changing habits is the most difficult thing in top football. And for Tottenham, that challenge is coming at a time when they do not have much room for mistakes.
