Tudor confesses Tottenham face fitness woes

Tottenham's stand-in manager Igor Tudor has confessed that his team lacks the necessary fitness levels, vowing to "add fuel to the engine" to steer clear of relegation.

The Croatian has taken charge in north London as Tottenham fights to remain in the top flight, a position they have held since the 1977-78 season.

The Spurs have managed just two wins from their previous 18 Premier League fixtures and hover only four points clear of the bottom three before their Sunday clash with Fulham.

Brought in as a short-term fix after Thomas Frank's dismissal, Tudor understands that his squad's physical state plays a vital role in their bid for survival.

Renowned for enforcing rigorous training regimes, the former player admitted that his current group has fallen short of the expected intensity.

"On the fitness front, in my view, we are far from ideal," Tudor remarked.

"The team has endured a packed schedule recently with several key members sidelined, leading to a decline in overall condition.

"This break from matches gives us a chance to refuel the engine and get it running smoothly again.

"Fatigue is evident. High pressing demands top fitness from everyone, as a single player out of form can cause delays in recovery.

"Improvement will come with time and better execution, yet right now, we must assess our capabilities carefully."

Footage has spread rapidly online of Tudor leading Tottenham players through sprint drills in practice, evoking memories of summer preparations.

With Tottenham often delivering just one solid half under Frank's tenure, their stamina concerns are hardly fresh.

Tudor dismissed claims that his intense style might overwhelm the squad during this demanding campaign.

"Absolutely not punishment. Running is fundamental. The pitch spans 100 yards, a substantial distance, requiring full effort," he explained.

"Old patterns linger. There might be a custom of easing up somewhat. I have introduced ball-less sprints, which no player enjoys!"