Managing Tottenham as relegation battle forces Igor Tudor sack call and major switch made

Tottenham Hotspur are in danger near the relegation zone as the March international break approaches

Three matches into Igor Tudor's tenure, the situation at Tottenham Hotspur is looking rather bleak. Despite fleeting moments of hope in all three games, a tally of zero points under the Croatian manager is the stark reality that will concern many.

The latest defeat, brought about by a first-half capitulation against Crystal Palace, was perhaps the most stinging. Micky van de Ven's sending off proved pivotal in the 3-1 loss and Spurs will now have to navigate their trip to Liverpool on March 15 without the suspended Dutchman.

The Anfield outing is sandwiched by the two legs of a Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid. However, the final match before the international break could prove most crucial, as Nottingham Forest's visit to north London potentially playing a huge part in shaping the relegation picture.

Calls for Spurs to sever ties with their manager are growing louder with a chance to create a buffer between themselves and the bottom three if they can pick up some vital wins. football.london has delved deeper into the significant decisions confronting the London club and their potential course of action.

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Tudor sack decision

While Spurs arguably have a more favourable fixture list than their fellow relegation contenders, this advantage could soon be rendered moot if they can't deliver consistency in their performances. Tudor may not be solely responsible for the crisis but so far there has been little evidence that he possesses the capabilities to reverse the decline.

Parting ways with the former Juventus manager shouldn't prove too costly financially, considering his deal expires at the end of the current campaign. It might sound like a cliché, but the appeal of appointing someone familiar with the club must have intensified following Manchester United's positive experience with a comparable strategy involving Michael Carrick.

Ex-Spurs player and manager Glenn Hoddle has already expressed willingness to take on the position, potentially alongside Robbie Keane. Ryan Mason is another whose name has been mentioned and his recent difficulties at West Brom might not necessarily be repeated were he to return to the familiar surroundings of north London.

Return of the back four

A long injury list has hampered Spurs' season but gradually some personnel are becoming available again. Pedro Porro has featured in the last two fixtures after being absent for the previous four, as has Kevin Danso, whilst Destiny Udogie is nearing a comeback following a hamstring problem picked up at Manchester United that has kept him out of action for a month.

Van de Ven will be unavailable for the next fixture due to suspension but captain Cristian Romero is available again following his own ban. This could facilitate a switch back to a four-man defence in the near future, after Tudor's three-at-the-back system has failed to provide anything resembling defensive stability, though it remains to be seen whether the boss takes that route.

Tudor's approach has involved deploying a midfielder or full-back in central defence, with Joao Palhinha the player selected for that position against Arsenal in late February. A tactical reshuffle could prove sufficient for Spurs to maximise the potential of their available squad members across multiple positions.

Spurs require something to shift and require it to shift rapidly. A return to four at the back could be the answer.