'Not a six pointer' - Igor Tudor pinpoints reason for Tottenham upturn but plays down Nottm Forest clash
Igor Tudor has spoken ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Nottingham Forest on Sunday
Tottenham Hotspur face a monumental weekend in their Premier League survival hopes as they welcome Nottingham Forest to north London in a battle between 16th and 17th in the league table.
With West Ham United showing significant signs of life in recent weeks, neither of Spurs or Forest can afford to lose and both will be desperately seeking three points to drag themselves away from the mire.
Spurs won for the first time in any competition under Igor Tudor in midweek as a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their Champions League last 16 second leg was not enough to prevent the club being eliminated 7-5 on aggregate, following their disastrous first-half showing last week in the Spanish capital.
Interim head coach Tudor has spoken ahead of this weekend’s Premier League showdown with Forest and revealed what he feels has led to his side showing improved performances on the pitch – following a 1-1 draw at Anfield and victory over Atletico within the space of a matter of days.
Tudor reveals catalyst for Spurs turnaround - and views on ‘six-pointer’
Reported by Mail Sport, Tudor said: “Mental sharpness. That was the key. We are sleeping less on the pitch. For me this is crucial. Now, we react earlier on what happened on the pitch.
“We are not always wondering what happened and then reacting. We are reacting before things happen. Not in the way I would like but much better. This mental sharpness, awareness of dangerous situations, this is coming and that’s why we are better.'
He added on the improved fitness of his players: “I saw good energy. I saw good numbers. They told me the last games are in the top four or five of all season for high intensity runs, so I think we are progressing.”
But the Croatian played down claims that this weekend’s match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a ‘six-pointer’ – suggesting he does not believe in such a thing, with eight matches yet to play in their season.
“There are a lot of points to play for,' said Tudor. “Of course, it’s an important game because we are together there so let’s say not six, but four. It’s not a final. Maybe not three points but a four-point game. It is important but it will not be decisive.”