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Igor Tudor sends clear message to Tottenham fans in a 61-word request ahead of Arsenal clash

Originally posted on To The Lane And Back
By Shrishh Attavar | Last updated Feb 21, 2026 3:30 AM ET

New Boss Igor Tudor talks about home support at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Igor Tudor has made a direct appeal to Tottenham supporters ahead of the North London derby, asking for their backing at a time when the mood inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been anything but encouraging.

Home games in recent weeks have been full of groans, frustration and at times outright hostility. The fanbase had grown increasingly frustrated with both results and the style of play as well.

Much of that tension can see itself traced back to the brand of football that took hold under Thomas Frank. The slow, sideways and overly cautious build-up play did little to inspire confidence, especially as Spurs slid further down the table and edged closer to the relegation places.

Tottenham sides have traditionally been associated with front-foot football, quick transitions and a willingness to commit numbers forward. Even in difficult periods, there has usually been an expectation that Spurs would at least try to play with intent. That all-guns-blazing mentality has been part of the club’s DNA for decades, and its absence this season has only amplified the disconnect between the team and the fans.

"I'm not here to enjoy, I'm here to work"

Igor Tudor speaks about his first few days at Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the North London Derby on Super Sunday ️ pic.twitter.com/cfgx2Zj2Xz
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 20, 2026

Igor Tudor on home support

Here is what Tudor had to say in reference to the negative atmosphere at home games – [h/t Football London]

“The message is give us support. The players need this. It is an amazing game to restart. I heard a lot of good things about them, about the love they have for the players. I am sure they will give us support and we show them that we care and we want to switch, we want to make a change immediately.“

By stressing the need to make an immediate change and to show supporters that the players care, he is acknowledging that results alone will not be enough. The manner in which Spurs approach games from here on out could surely be just as important in rebuilding trust.

Support, however, tends to follow belief, and belief is often born from what unfolds on the pitch. If Tudor can encourage a more proactive, aggressive style that aligns with what fans expect from a Tottenham side, the atmosphere may begin to shift naturally.

In a derby of this scale, that relationship between team and supporters could change, and like that. A willingness to take the game to Arsenal, rather than playing anti-football, might not only improve Spurs’ chances of getting a result but also begin to restore the connection that has frayed over recent months.

Ultimately, it is a two-way street. Tudor has asked for backing, and if his side can show signs of rediscovering that attacking intent which has historically defined the club, there is every chance the fans will respond accordingly.

This article first appeared on To The Lane And Back and was syndicated with permission.

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