Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven has described stories suggesting the gamers have stopped caring amid a Premier League relegation battle as ‘the most important nonsense.’
The Netherlands worldwide was suspended as Spurs picked up their first level underneath Igor Tudor with a 1-1 draw in opposition to Liverpool on Sunday, which leaves them only one level away from 18th-placed West Ham.
Spurs now flip their attentions again to the Champions League as they face the seemingly insurmountable activity of overturning a three-goal deficit after their 5-2 first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid within the last-16 tie.
Talking forward of the sport, Van de Ven took situation with the notion he and his team-mates had already switched off.
“In fact I’ve seen issues [written],” Van de Ven acknowledged.
“Reporters simply say issues generally and it is like ‘how did you give you this?’ Like, the gamers have switched off. It is not true.
“They are saying gamers are going to depart both manner. It is simply nonsense and it is solely an issue when individuals begin believing it. It is simply the most important nonsense.
“Typically we learn issues by ourselves and are like ‘what is that this?’ The opposite day we learn one thing about one man who’s going to depart and would not care what occurs. We’re simply studying this like ‘how did this come out?’
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“It brings a lot extra hassle as a result of followers are beginning to imagine this.
“All of the individuals concerned care a lot in regards to the state of affairs we’re in. That is an important factor proper now. Then if some stories come out saying that guys do not care anymore, it is simply irritating for our guys.
“For me it is irritating as a result of individuals begin fascinated with me another way. I simply need to keep match and switch issues round. I do know the final video games have not been my finest. An important factor is that I give 100 per cent to this membership.”
‘The gamers actually care’ insists Tudor
Igor Tudor has stated Sunday’s efficiency in opposition to Liverpool might give his facet confidence for the remainder of the season
Whereas Sunday’s draw at Anfield could have given Tudor his first level as Tottenham head coach, he’s nonetheless in the hunt for his first win in cost.
With Van de Ven insinuating the go to of Atletico was a free hit given Spurs’ place within the tie, Tudor is hopeful the efficiency in opposition to Liverpool might result in extra confidence forward of a must-win bottom-of-the-table conflict with Nottingham Forest on Sunday, reside on Sky Sports activities.
“In fact, it is vital,” the previous Juventus and Croatia centre-back stated. “When you might have one good efficiency, it provides confidence to everybody. It confirms the nice will.
“The gamers actually care. For the time being it’s so troublesome. I imagine one good second occurred final sport. We now have to be sincere with what we can provide on the pitch. I’m pleased for everybody and now we’ve got to proceed.”
Actions communicate louder than Van de Ven’s Phrases
Evaluation from Sky Sports activities’ Callum Bishop:
It’s totally straightforward to come back out and communicate with hearth and fervour straight after the primary time that very same power has been displayed for all to see on the pitch in months.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Igor Tudor displays on his facet’s dramatic level at Liverpool and provides a frosty response when requested if Spurs have been given ‘hope’ by the Croatian
With or with out Van de Ven, what followers noticed from Tottenham in opposition to Liverpool was a spirit that arguably hasn’t been seen because the comeback draw in opposition to Manchester Metropolis in the beginning of February. Paradoxically, that was the final home sport Spurs hadn’t misplaced earlier than the journey to Anfield.
It is to not say that Van de Ven’s feedback about his team-mates’ angle to the present predicament are flawed. They’re most likely affected by it. However because the outdated saying goes, actions communicate louder than phrases.
The extent of performances earlier than Liverpool have been what created the impression that there’s a sense of entitlement round a number of the gamers. When Van de Ven and Cristian Romero, two of an important figures in Igor Tudor’s crew, are getting despatched off throughout moments the place they’re wanted, it could possibly be taken in a few methods.
Cristian Romero’s purple card in opposition to Man Utd was his fourth within the Premier League since he joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, probably the most of any participant throughout this era
One is that they’re displaying battle and it has spilled over. The opposite is that they’re displaying petulance and shirking a number of the duty as a result of they’re now unavailable for the subsequent sport. In any case, availability is the very best means. Whereas accidents can’t be helped, actions like this are what lead individuals to query how a lot sure gamers care.
