Charlie Nicholas claims Spurs boss Jose Mourinho’s in an awkward position

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Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports that Jose Mourinho is an awkward position at Tottenham Hotspur as he is currently dealing with the worst defence he has had during his managerial career.

Spurs do not boast the best defensive record since Mourinho’s arrival. The side have kept three clean sheets in all competitions.

They have conceded four goals in their last two games, both against sides currently in the bottom-half of the Premier League table.

Nicholas has predicted that Tottenham will take a lead into the second-leg of their Champions League tie with RB Leipzig following the first meeting this week.

But he suggested that Mourinho is in a difficult spot at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium due to their problems at the back.

“Jose Mourinho’s face is no disguise for the way they are performing. Including Manchester United, he has not dealt with a worse defence, in terms of understanding what the shape and what the demands are,” he told Sky Sports. “He just has to see what happens. If he upsets them, it could be a long way back. He is caught in an awkward place.

“It will be an open game but Jose knows he must get a win from this one, and I think they will just about get there,” he added, when discussing Wednesday’s clash with Leipzig.

It seems incredibly unfair to say that Spurs’ defence is the worst Mourinho has dealt with.

There are issues to address. Toby Alderweireld had a bizarre game at Aston Villa at the weekend, summed up by scoring at both ends of the pitch.

But there are also reasons for optimism. Serge Aurier – who remains capable of a mistake – has arguably produced some colossal performances under Mourinho. And Davinson Sanchez was impressive against Villa.

Meanwhile, Mourinho is also bringing through Japhet Tanganga. And the early signs suggest that he is going to be a fantastic talent in the coming years.

Perhaps it would be wrong not to take a closer look if Spurs find themselves in a similar situation next season. But right now, there are more reasons to be positive than Nicholas is perhaps prepared to admit.