Palhinha Demands Premier League Response After European Success
João Palhinha has issued a rallying cry to his Tottenham teammates, urging them to use their Champions League qualification as a springboard for domestic improvement. The midfielder's comments come after Spurs secured their place in the last sixteen with a convincing 2-0 victory away at Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday evening.
European Contrast to Domestic Struggles
The result highlighted the stark contrast between Tottenham's European form and their disappointing Premier League campaign. While sitting comfortably as one of Europe's top four teams in the Champions League, Spurs find themselves languishing in fourteenth position domestically, with just two wins from fourteen matches.
Palhinha, who filled in at right centre-half due to Tottenham's injury crisis, emphasised the need for perspective when asked about their Champions League prospects. "It's not about winning the Champions League," the Portuguese international stated. "In life, it needs to be with steps. The main thing is we did our qualification responsibly with a lot of respect and we deserve to complete this qualification."
Turning Point Opportunity
The 30-year-old midfielder believes Wednesday's performance could serve as a crucial turning point for Thomas Frank's side. "We need to take this victory and this important qualification to give a big jump in everything that has passed in the last couple of months and start a new phase, hopefully," Palhinha explained.
His comments come at a critical juncture for Tottenham, who face a daunting run of Premier League fixtures including matches against Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, and Arsenal. Palhinha referenced Tottenham's earlier 2-0 victory over City this season, describing that performance as "the real Spurs" that needs to reappear consistently.
Collective Responsibility
Addressing the disparity between their European and domestic form, Palhinha stressed that responsibility must be shared throughout the squad. "The responsibility is mainly with the players because we should do much better in some key moments," he acknowledged. "We conceded some goals that we couldn't concede. Since Brentford, we lost some important points that would have put us in a different position."
The midfielder was particularly keen to deflect criticism away from manager Thomas Frank, who has faced growing discontent from sections of the Tottenham support. "We are with all the hands together," Palhinha insisted. "The responsibility is not on the coach. Of course, he will receive it because of results. We know how it is in football. Sometimes it's not easy to be a coach. But the responsibility is also from the players and some things need to improve."
Injury Crisis Overcome
Tottenham's achievement in securing Champions League progression was made more impressive by their extensive injury problems. Frank could call upon only eleven established outfield players against Eintracht Frankfurt, yet the team delivered an energetic and controlled performance that belied their numerical limitations.
As Tottenham prepare for their crucial Premier League encounter with Manchester City on Sunday, Palhinha's message is clear: the time has come for European promise to translate into domestic consistency. "The motivation is always high when you play these kind of games," he concluded. "We know the reality of where we are in the table and we definitely need to change this, because it's not the image of Tottenham that we want."
