Mick McCarthy shares why Tottenham will now be ‘worrying greatly’ in the relegation battle
Mick McCarthy believes nerves will be building up at Tottenham now during the relegation battle.
Tottenham have a four-point gap to 18th place, but with 11 games still to go, that distance can be easily made up by those below them.
Former Premier League manager McCarthy has been in similar situations during his career and brings plenty of experience to the table in terms of trying to stay up.
McCarthy believes the north London club will be “worrying greatly” about their status in England’s top flight, following another defeat at the weekend.
Spurs are currently in 16th place and the 67-year-old has spoken about how that can be an uncomfortable position to be in.
What has Mick McCarthy said about Tottenham?
Tottenham have a little bit of breathing room in the battle at the bottom of the table, but they may not be feeling that small sense of relief, according to McCarthy.
McCarthy, who has been in Spurs’ position before, has shared his experience with fighting relegation, saying on The Mangers podcast: “Tottenham will be panicking.
“If you are fourth from the bottom, and yes, I have been there with Wolves. You are constantly worried about their results, and it almost takes the focus off what you are doing and looking behind you.
“You have to really get back at it; this is what we are doing, and let’s concentrate on what we are doing. I think Tottenham will be looking behind them and worrying greatly.”
The former Republic of Ireland international manager has also issued his thoughts on the Lilywhites’ survival hopes, expressing he is “not that confident” they can avoid the drop.
Igor Tudor has been handed the difficult task by ENIC of doing just that, and the Croatian will be confident in his ability to do so.
However, recent form has not painted a great picture for the N17 outfit.
Tottenham’s form is a real cause for concern
Over the last 12 games in the Premier League, Spurs are statistically the worst team in England’s top flight.
They have only accumulated seven points from the 36 available, with even bottom strugglers Wolves picking up more.
It is not a sustainable return for a team looking to stay up this season. Momentum is important in the race, and a prolonged period of poor results could knock confidence down even further at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
If the tide does not turn quickly, then relegation would almost be a certainty for the North London club, as West Ham and Nottingham Forest have been trending upwards recently.
For more on Tottenham’s fight in the relegation battle, head over to Football Insider.