Tottenham Hotspur entered this season with optimism, confidence, and a belief that the team had finally turned a corner. Early results against Burnley and Manchester City suggested a fresh start, a team moving with purpose, and a manager who looked ready to reshape the club’s identity.
But as the weeks have passed, the excitement has given way to disappointment, leaving the team sitting 11th in the Premier League and 16th in the Champions League standings.
Their most recent performance, a miserable defeat to Fulham, only deepened the sense that something is badly wrong. Thomas Frank looked lost on the touchline, and Spurs looked even worse on the pitch.
It was a night full of poor individual performances, and aside from a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Micky van de Ven and some promising involvement from Randal Kolo Muani, nearly every player contributed to the frustration that poured from the stands.
But no one felt the anger of the fans more sharply than Guglielmo Vicario. The goalkeeper made a disastrous error in the buildup to Fulham’s second goal, rushing into no man’s land and gifting Harry Wilson the easiest finish he will ever score.
The mistake, combined with how early Spurs fell behind, triggered a wave of boos that followed Vicario for the rest of the night. Every touch, every clearance, every moment invited hostility, and even though the reaction was harsh, it reflected the growing tension between players and supporters.
Richarlison also had a night to forget. He looked lost in attack, posed no threat to Fulham’s defence, and ended the game with an expected goals figure of 0.00.
In 60 minutes, he completed just six of his nine passes, took 21 touches, and lost the ball nine times. His 3/10 rating summed up his night perfectly. Kevin Danso wasn’t much better, losing his battles with Raul Jiménez and gifting the Cottagers dangerous moments, including the clearance that eventually led to the first goal.
But the most worrying performance came from a player Spurs once believed would be a long-term cornerstone of their attack and defence: Pedro Porro.
Porro’s ability has never been in question. He arrived at Spurs with quality, confidence, and the reputation of a full-back who could change games with his delivery and movement.
Yet his inconsistency, rash decisions, and emotional reactions are now painting a picture that Spurs supporters have seen before. The comparisons with Serge Aurier are growing louder each week. Aurier was talented, unpredictable, and ultimately unreliable.
He had moments of brilliance mixed with moments of chaos, and fans never knew which version of him they would get. His errors in big matches, his poor discipline, and his temperament made him one of Tottenham’s most frustrating players in recent memory. Porro is dangerously close to following that same path.
His performance against Fulham captured everything that has worried supporters for over a year. He lost all his aerial duels, struggled in ground battles, was beaten too easily, and saw cross after cross fail to reach a teammate.
Offensively, he made no impact. Defensively, he looked overwhelmed. And when the final whistle blew, he threw his shirt to the ground and stormed off the pitch an emotional reaction that only added fuel to the fire. Journalist Mitch Fretton described his behaviour as “absolute embarrassment,” and many supporters agreed.
Here is a breakdown of Porro’s performance on the night:
| Pedro Porro vs Fulham | Stat |
|---|---|
| Minutes Played | 94 |
| Ground Duels (Won) | 8 (3) |
| Aerial Duels (Won) | 3 (0) |
| Times Dribbled Past | 3 |
| Crosses (Accurate) | 16 (3) |
| Successful Dribbles | 0/2 |
| Long Balls | 8/13 |
These numbers reveal exactly why fans are frustrated. A full-back who cannot defend, struggles to attack, and reacts emotionally is a liability.
The fans have seen this story before, and they don’t want a repeat of the Aurier era, where one player becomes the symbol of chaos in a team already battling instability.
Porro still has the talent to turn things around. He is young enough to grow, skilled enough to improve, and determined enough to put things right.
But moments like the Fulham match raise real questions about whether he has the consistency and mentality required for Tottenham’s long-term vision.
Supporters want effort, discipline, and responsibility. Until Porro can deliver those things every week, the comparisons with Aurier will only continue.
