Ex-Spurs player confident Mourinho will solve Tottenham’s problems

Former Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov is confident that Jose Mourinho will turn around Tottenham’s form and turn them into a formidable outfit providing he is given time.

After a good start to Mourinho’s reign in North London, recent performances and results have left a lot to be desired, with the latest defeat against Wolves putting a massive dent in the club’s hopes of finishing in the top four this season.

Question marks have been pointed at the 57-year-old’s negative tactics (ESPN FC), but Berbatov insists there are similarities between Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tough start at Old Trafford and the Portuguese coach’s initial struggles at Spurs.

Speaking to Betfair, the Bulgarian said: “Spurs’ difficulties under Jose Mourinho remind me of United under Solskjaer last season – a strong start before results tailed off.

“I haven’t lost faith in the Portuguese and we must remember that Spurs have had terrible luck with injuries to Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min, so I’m still backing Mourinho to succeed at Spurs in the end.”

Berbatov claimed that Tottenham fans’ frustrations are understandable given the team’s failure to live up to the standards they’ve set in the last few years but urged the Spurs faithful to keep trust in Mourinho.

Berbatov added: “Spurs players are feeling the pressure. Their fans have got used to qualifying for the Champions League and, although the race to finish fourth in the Premier League is still wide open, the players known this season will be considered a failure if they don’t make it.

“Mourinho should speak to his players, especially the youngsters, and reassure them that he believes they’re good enough. After that, it’s up to the players to go out and perform.

“Some Spurs fans think their team has become defensive under Mourinho. As a striker, I want to watch attacking football but a manager’s first priority is for his team to not lose a match.

“If Mourinho can tighten up Spurs defensively then he will use that as the platform to build a team that is exciting to watch as well as hard to beat. But it takes time.”

Spurs Web Opinion

While Mourinho is coming under criticism from the media, most Spurs fans seem to be directing their anger at the board rather than at the Spurs head coach. It looks like our failure to sign a striker in January will end up costing us a place in the Champions League next season.

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