Micky van de Ven urges Tottenham fans not to believe ‘made-up’ journalistic stories.
Tottenham players have come under criticism for taking their foot off the pedal in the Premier League this season. The Lilywhites made history by winning the Europa League last year, ending the club’s 17-year wait for a major trophy. It was expected to mark a turning point for the North Londoners as they aimed to build on that success and compete on multiple fronts under Thomas Frank this season.
However, it is fair to say that Spurs have fallen well short of expectations and are now facing the prospect of relegation from the Premier League. Thomas Frank has since departed, with the Lilywhites appointing Igor Tudor on an interim basis until the end of the campaign. While managerial decisions have come under scrutiny for the club’s poor domestic form, the players must also take responsibility for their performances in recent months.
A strong argument can be made that the players have let crucial games slip due to their inability to handle high-pressure situations. They have struggled to find consistency, and the club’s Premier League record this season reflects the disappointing performances. The ongoing injury crisis at N17 has further compounded their problems, with several key players sidelined for extended periods and missing important fixtures.
Tottenham players are trying to give their all as the club faces relegation fears
Tottenham are now without a win in their last 13 league matches, placing Igor Tudor under immediate pressure at N17. The players have not adhered to the tactical approach, and it is evident that their intensity levels have dropped in recent months. There is also a growing belief that some members of the squad may already be looking ahead to the summer, with potential exits on the horizon if the situation deteriorates further.
Micky van de Ven, however, has dismissed claims that Spurs players lack the desire to turn things around in the Premier League. Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via Tottenham Hotspur), Van de Ven said,
“The other day when we read something about one guy that said to everyone that he’s probably going to leave and doesn’t care about the situation they’re in, and then someone reads this and we’re just like, ‘how does this come out?’ Like, people just making things up, and it’s just frustrating for us as well, because it brings so much more trouble as well, because the fans are starting to believe this.”
The defender added,
“I start saying like, ‘oh, the guys, they don’t care anymore what’s going to happen in the club, about the situation’. Trust me, all the people involved on the pitch, the staff, the players, everyone, they care so much about the situation we’re in right now, and we just want to turn things around. That’s the most important, that’s the main focus for everyone. Then, if some reports just start saying that guys don’t care anymore, it’s just frustrating for our guys.”
Micky van de Ven insists that certain reports about Spurs players are fabricated and only serve to damage the club’s image during a difficult period in the Premier League. The defender has reassured supporters that the squad remains fully committed to improving results in the coming months. He also urged fans not to be influenced by such reports, as the team continues to fight to secure their top-flight status.
The recent result against Liverpool could provide a boost to morale in the dressing room under Igor Tudor. The Lilywhites delivered a determined performance at Anfield to secure a hard-fought draw against the reigning Premier League champions. This result could prove to be a turning point in their domestic campaign, restoring belief among supporters that the squad has the quality required to turn their season around and preserve their place in the top flight under Tudor’s guidance.