Tottenham players 'don't want to pass to each other' as big problem highlighted

View 2 Images

Premier League icon Joleon Lescott believes Tottenham are well on track to get relegated this season based on current form. The club sits 16th in the Premier League and just one point above the bottom three with only nine games to play this term.

Igor Tudor 's disastrous start as Spurs boss took another nightmarish turn on Tuesday following a 5-2 loss at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League . The north Londoners are now on the verge of exiting Europe's premier tournament at the round of 16 unless they can pull off a miracle in the second leg.

Lescott, 43, appeared on the latest episode of the All Out Football podcast alongside Mirror Sport 's Andy Dunn and gave a dim assessment of Spurs' prospects between now and May. And after conceding four goals in the opening 22 minutes at Atletico, it appears a drought in confidence could signal a historic period in the club's history.

"Honestly, in terms of form, yeah," said the former Manchester City and England defender. "Because again, speaking about experience, none of their players have experienced this fight.

You can listen to brand new episodes of In The Mixer on Spotify and Apple Podcasts !

"I know last season was bad but they had a positive or a bonus of a distraction [winning the Europa League ], like Europe was their kind of shining light in that season. Whereas this season now, we're talking about players and fans that don't know what it feels like to be in this fight.

" Like if you're saying you're a Forest or a West Ham, they go behind, their fans still support their team because they know they're likely going to go behind. Now we have to get behind them to get in front and stuff and fight behind that.

"Whereas Spurs fans now are like, 'Oh, this is nerve wracking'. And then players are like, 'Oh, I don't want that pass. I don't want to show for the ball there'. But it becomes very edgy potentially."

Lescott cited his own experience of being relegated with Aston Villa in 2016 and how "players go missing all of a sudden." And he spoke about the increased role pressure plays in how certain players make their decisions, potentially hoping to save their own reputations.

"Say a forward where he's taken a shot when he's full of confidence, now it needs to be perfect," added Lescott. "Now I need to see the whole goal rather than half of the goal.

View 2 Images

"And then as a defender, say for me, you're thinking, 'I don't want to play that ball into midfield in case it doesn't get there, and I'll go wide', but now the opportunity is gone. So there's so many elements that you probably don't realise when you're down there."

Content cannot be displayed without consent

Tuesday's defeat to Atletico was but the latest indictment on Spurs' season, and by extension Tudor's still-budding tenure. The Croat has lost four times in as many games in charge, two of which were London derbies fans would have hoped to win (against Fulham and Crystal Palace ).

Injuries have played an unfortunate role in hampering Tottenham's chances, but the club has spent enough in recent years to suggest they have the depth necessary to mount a much better challenge than what's been witnessed. And Lescott is among those convinced the unthinkable could happen come May as the spectre of relegation grows larger.

Don't miss a FREE shop bet inside your favourite racing paper every day of the Cheltenham festival! Plus, get expert inside from our top tipsters with pullouts every day from Tuesday March 10 - Friday March 13, 2026 covering the runners, riders, and everything you need to make the 102nd Cheltenham festival the biggest ever. Find out more here.