Tottenham told why they won't come straight back up from Championship if relegated

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Ex-Manchester United and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre reckons Tottenham will struggle in the Championship for at least two seasons if relegation is confirmed this term

Tottenham have been warned they face an extended spell outside the Premier League if their stunning relegation becomes reality. Spurs sit two points adrift of safety in 18th position, having dropped into the bottom three last week.

A devastating combination of results - including Sunday's lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, victories for both West Ham and Leeds, plus Nottingham Forest's weekend draw - has intensified the challenge facing new boss Roberto De Zerbi, who only penned his five-year deal last month.

De Zerbi maintains he'll remain at the helm next season regardless, indicating his readiness to tackle the Championship. However, former Premier League defender Mikael Silvestre believes 'shambolic' Spurs could endure at least two campaigns in England's second division should they suffer the drop next month.

"The issue they now have is that they look like they are going down - and I believe they will be relegated," Silvestre told Ladbrokes at the launch of Ladisfaction.

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"But once they do go down, how difficult is it for that team to jump back in and get promoted again?

"You know, the players who are there now... I don't think they have the mentality to play in the Championship.

"They have got a huge task on their hands in the summer if they do go down... and that looks more and more likely to be the case."

The former Manchester United and Arsenal star also outlined the rigours of Championship football.

He tells Tottenham's players that 'technical qualities are not enough' for promotion to the top flight.

"You know, in that division, you need to show certain characteristics, you need to fight, you need to win scruffy games; it's not just about being technical," Silvestre added.

"And so far this season, we haven't seen any of those characteristics, so it's not to say if they went down, they would come straight back up. It's such a tough and demanding division, you know."

"Technical qualities are not enough. Between now and the end of the season, it's not about playing well at all; it's about fighting and grabbing points."