Redknapp: Spurs Face Relegation Fight After Palace Collapse

Tottenham's troubles have reached crisis point, according to former boss Harry Redknapp, who believes Spurs could be staring at the unthinkable after Thursday night's 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Currently perched in 17th place with a mere one-point buffer between themselves and the drop zone, Tottenham face a desperate final stretch of the campaign. Nottingham Forest and West Ham are breathing down their necks, with nine matches left to play.

The situation has deteriorated dramatically since interim manager Igor Tudor took over from Thomas Frank, failing to win any of his opening three matches in the hotseat. Redknapp believes the situation has become genuinely perilous.

Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Spurs chief outlined the grim reality: "Tottenham are bang in it now, must be truthful. They're looking like they could even be favourites out the four to go, it's that desperate."

Redknapp pointed to improved form elsewhere in the battle zone as a key concern. West Ham have picked up momentum with summer signing Summerville back to fitness and combining effectively with Bowen, whilst Forest have shown resilience and physical strength. Leeds, despite their struggles, have at least competed in matches and don't belong in the mix according to Redknapp.

The former manager suggested Tudor's stern demeanour may not be the answer to Tottenham's confidence crisis. Instead, Redknapp believes the squad needs reassurance and individual attention to restore belief.

"They look to me like they need a arm round, have a little chat individually with every player and get them on side and make them start believing," Redknapp explained. "They do look a bundle of nerves. They really do look on edge, which is dangerous."

When quizzed on whether he'd consider returning to manage Tottenham himself, Redknapp dismissed the prospect whilst confirming he'd have little choice but to accept. His immediate focus, he joked, lay elsewhere: attending Cheltenham races where his runner Taurus Bay is entered in Wednesday's first race at 20-1 odds.