Tudor's tactics: Pinpointing how his choices have made things worse

"Under Tudor, Spurs play in a shape that changes between a 5-2-3 and a 5-3-2 depending on whether one of the wingers drops into the midfield line. The idea is for players to apply man-to-man pressure across the pitch, jumping from this initial defensive shape. This was the defensive tactic Tudor has used in past jobs, looking to win the ball back high and attacking quickly."

"In less intense leagues, an aggressive man-to-man approach can provide quick wins when the opposition are less used to the tactic, especially if they are not physically and technically able to bypass such pressure. The money spent by Premier League sides, however, has improved the level of technical quality, which helps players escape markers through dribbling or quick one-twos."

"Teams have prioritised physicality in their transfer business, too. This is in response to shifting trends in English football. In February, Pep Guardiola said the game has more 'man-marking' and is 'more aggressive'. As a result, teams are figuring out how to deal with this problem tactically."

Igor Tudor was appointed as Tottenham's manager to prevent relegation from the Premier League, but has lost his first four games, including a Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid. Tottenham's struggles stem from multiple factors including injuries, recruitment issues, and poor form under previous managers. Tudor's tactical approach employs a 5-2-3 or 5-3-2 formation with man-to-man pressure designed to win the ball high and attack quickly. However, this aggressive defensive strategy, effective in less competitive leagues, proves ineffective in the Premier League where teams possess superior technical ability and physicality to escape markers through dribbling and quick combinations. Modern Premier League teams have adapted to counter such pressure tactics.

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