Igor Tudor is battling to gain the confidence of the Tottenham dressing room, with speculation over his position intensifying after merely three fixtures at the helm. This isn't the first occasion that the Croatian boss's uncompromising character has failed to unite his players, with Spurs suffering defeats against Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace so far.

Tudor secured the Marseille job in the summer of 2022 and his conduct behind closed doors left his players stunned. Former West Ham star Dimitri Payet was amongst that squad and provided a glimpse into what the 47-year-old is like on the training pitch. Payet said: "We all got acquainted with someone who was coarse and blunt. In his manners and words, he was authoritative. We were all a bit shocked."

He added: "With a little hindsight, he was excessively harsh at first to mark his territory and implement some measures. Then, it was a bit better.

"I have respected his choices. I was not in his plans but I would have liked for him, sometimes, to trust me more."

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Payet's comments reveal a lot about the kind of manager Tudor strives to be regarding a commanding approach - which isn't resonating well in north London. Whilst he remained at Marseille for just one season - coincidentally being eliminated from the Champions League following a home defeat to Spurs - his influence was felt throughout the squad.

Tudor will utilise this strict nature in north London with the aim of maintaining their Premier League status, after he criticised Van de Ven for his dismissal against Palace. In his post-match comments, the Croatian demonstrated his uncompromising stance as he encouraged the Spurs players to "stay together."

Tudor said: "I want to be positive. I cannot tell the guys nothing in the end after this game. They gave everything. Unfortunately, we pay every detail. We pay every detail. If we can say that red card is a detail, there is always something to say. With all the problems we have now, missing the defenders today, missing the full-backs, these are the problems we already know.

"I don't want to speak about that, but we need to stay together now. I always repeat the same things, but it is how it is. Believing and growing. Do not make mistakes. This is the key in the end of football. Stay there, don't make mistakes.

"One goal, you always score. Two goals, you can score, but it's important to not make mistakes in football. Unfortunately, now, in this moment, we pay everything, but in return, I believe, we change everything. Still nine games to play. Still nine games to play."