Tottenham’s defeat to Fulham highlighted once again how fragile the team has become, and it wasn’t just Guglielmo Vicario who struggled on a frustrating evening in north London.
Spurs showed a bit more composure in the second half, but the damage had already been done in those chaotic opening minutes when Fulham struck twice before most fans had even settled into their seats.
Thomas Frank had spoken before kick-off about the need to start boldly, but the team delivered the complete opposite. Sky Sports co-commentator Alan Smith captured the moment perfectly when he described the early stages as “chaos in Tottenham’s defensive line,” a picture that reflected both confusion and hesitation.
Vicario played his part in the collapse when he came rushing out of his area to deal with a routine clearance. Instead of clearing the danger, he misjudged the situation, gifting Fulham the space they needed for Harry Wilson to curl in an early second goal.
It was another chapter in a season that has seen Vicario swing between impressive reflexes and costly errors. He has been a valuable signing over the past few years, but moments like this continue to raise questions about his reliability.
His mistake against Fulham was his third big error of the Premier League campaign and the 11th since joining the club in 2023. One save across ninety minutes, according to Sofascore, told its own story.
Frank now faces a difficult decision regarding whether to keep Vicario as his number one or finally take him out of the firing line. Spurs are desperate to rediscover momentum, especially during a crucial winter period that could shape their season, but defensive instability makes that task much harder.
With Newcastle United awaiting at St James’ Park, time is running out for the manager to make the right adjustments.
Yet Vicario wasn’t the only one who let the team down. There was an outfield player who struggled just as badly, and his drop in form has become impossible to ignore.
Joao Palhinha, on loan from Bayern Munich, produced another flat midfield performance that offered little spark or bite. The boos around the stadium at full-time reflected the disappointment, and Palhinha looked every bit a player aware that he hadn’t done enough.
Football.london were blunt in their verdict, calling it “one of his shakier performances” and giving him a 5/10 rating, a damning assessment for someone expected to add strength and control in midfield.
Palhinha’s biggest issues have been clear for weeks. He is slow in possession, limited in his ability to carry the ball, and not dynamic enough to shift the tempo when Tottenham need it most.
The numbers don’t flatter him either. According to FBref, he sits in the bottom 9% of Premier League midfielders for progressive passes and progressive carries per 90 minutes two areas essential for a modern midfielder.
Against Fulham, his limitations were exposed even more sharply. Tottenham had more of the ball, but Palhinha struggled to move it with purpose, struggled to break lines, and struggled to influence anything in the final third.
Here is a breakdown of his performance against Fulham:
| Match Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 60′ |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 45 |
| Accurate Passes | 31/35 (89%) |
| Chances Created | 0 |
| Dribbles | 1/2 |
| Recoveries | 1 |
| Tackles Won | 0/1 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| Duels Won | 4/6 |
These numbers paint a very flat picture. He did not create a chance, won none of his tackles, and recovered only one loose ball. For a player known for defensive aggression, this kind of passiveness is alarming.
Tottenham needed energy, drive, and urgency in midfield. Instead, they got sideways passing, slow tracking, and very little impact on the overall rhythm of the game. Too often, the team looked static in the centre of the pitch, and Palhinha did nothing to change that.
The truth is simple: Tottenham need more. They need intensity, creativity, and personality in the heart of the team. Injuries have hurt Spurs this season, but performances like these cannot be excused.
If Frank wants to rebuild confidence and get his team back on track, he may have no choice but to overhaul his midfield entirely and find a new combination that brings energy instead of hesitation.
With a huge match at Newcastle next, the manager must decide whether to show loyalty or to draw a line. For both Vicario and Palhinha, patience is wearing thin, and Tottenham cannot afford passengers if they want to revive their campaign.
