Dominic Solanke finally speaks out about the mood inside the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. dressing room after their humiliating defeat to Crystal Palace F.C..
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. manager Igor Tudor says he still believes in his squad despite another painful result that has deepened the club’s Premier League concerns. Meanwhile, striker Dominic Solanke revealed the players held an honest dressing-room discussion after their disappointing 3–1 home defeat to Crystal Palace F.C..
The loss leaves Spurs hovering just one point above the relegation zone, dangerously close to the bottom three. Their difficult run has continued for weeks, with the defeat stretching their league streak without a win to 11 matches. Even more worrying for fans is that Tottenham have yet to secure a Premier League victory in 2026, increasing pressure on Tudor and the squad.
The game in north London started positively when Solanke opened the scoring in the 34th minute. However, the momentum shifted just before half-time after defender and stand-in captain Micky van de Ven was sent off.
Van de Ven was judged to have denied a clear scoring opportunity after bringing down Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr inside the penalty area. The decision proved costly, as Sarr converted the penalty and later scored again, while Jørgen Strand Larsen also found the net. By half-time, Spurs had gone from leading to trailing 3–1.
The dismissal will also impact upcoming fixtures, with Van de Ven suspended for Tottenham’s next Premier League match against Liverpool F.C. at Anfield on March 15.
After the game, Solanke spoke openly about the mood inside the dressing room, explaining that the squad held a serious meeting to address their poor form and the urgent need for improvement. He admitted the team knows their current position is unacceptable for a club of Tottenham’s stature and that they must quickly find solutions to escape their difficult situation.
The striker acknowledged that the squad has faced several setbacks but stressed that excuses are no longer valid. According to Solanke, the only way forward is to improve performances on the pitch and fight harder in every match. He also admitted Spurs are not used to battling near the relegation zone and must fully recognise the seriousness of the challenge.
Despite the tough circumstances, Tudor tried to remain optimistic in his post-match comments. The Croatian coach said he noticed positive signs from the team, including determination and energy even after the defeat, which he believes can help them respond in upcoming games.
Tottenham’s struggles have also been compounded by a lengthy injury list that has weakened the squad. Players currently sidelined include Wilson Odobert, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Ben Davies, Lucas Bergvall, Destiny Udogie and Djed Spence.
Former Spurs striker Peter Crouch believes those absences have significantly weakened the team’s quality and experience. He also questioned the impact Tudor has made since arriving in north London, describing his appointment as a risky decision.
Crouch compared the situation to Manchester United F.C., where coach Michael Carrick recently stepped in and quickly improved results. He also pointed out the lack of strong on-field leadership at Tottenham, noting that one of the standout performers against Palace was 19-year-old Archie Gray — highlighting the shortage of experienced figures guiding the team.
Tottenham must now regroup quickly as attention shifts to European competition. Their next challenge is a tough UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Atlético Madrid in Spain.
For Spurs, the match presents both a difficult test and a potential turning point. While their domestic campaign is in serious trouble, a strong performance in Europe could boost morale and perhaps spark the turnaround the club desperately needs. ⚽
