Pedro Porro didn’t mince words. After Tottenham‘s disappointing 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on March 1, 2026, the right-back called their season a “disaster.” He told Sky Sports, “When you don’t have a squad capable, it’s a disaster.
This project is not working.” That’s a stark statement. It came just days before the massive North London Derby against Arsenal, a game that feels like it could define the rest of Spurs’ 2025-26 campaign.
Porro’s outburst highlights growing frustration within the club. Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou in his third year, sits 15th in the Premier League. They’ve only got 24 points from 27 games, a mere seven points above the relegation zone. This isn’t where anyone expected them to be.
The Squad Crisis Deepens for Postecoglou
Tottenham’s injury list isn’t helping things. Captain Son Heung-min is out for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring issue. Yves Bissouma is suspended due to accumulated bookings. Micky van de Ven won’t be back from his knee injury until mid-April. And Dominic Solanke is doubtful for the derby after an ankle knock against Palace.
That’s a lot of key players missing. Dejan Kulusevski is back from illness, which is a small positive. But new January loan signing Hayden Hackney is cup-tied for the league. Postecoglou even hinted at bringing in young Mikey Moore, just 19, from the youth setup. It shows how stretched the squad is.
This isn’t a new problem, either. James Maddison voiced similar criticisms back in December. Porro’s comments just bring it all to the surface again. Tottenham’s form is terrible too: L-L-D-W-L in their last five league games, picking up only four points. Arsenal, on the other hand, comes into the derby with W-W-D-W-L, securing 10 points in the same run.
Defensively, Spurs are a mess. They’ve conceded 42 goals this season, the league’s worst record. Arsenal’s defense has been solid, letting in just 21. Tottenham’s average of 1.1 points per game contrasts sharply with Arsenal’s 2.1.
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Tactical Headaches and Derby Dynamics
Postecoglou sticks with his 4-3-3 formation, even with the squad depth issues Porro talked about. Porro, who usually plays as a right-wingback, mentioned “no legs without Bissouma” in the midfield. It makes sense; Bissouma’s presence helps a lot.
The expected lineup for Spurs looks like Vicario in goal; Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie across the back; Bentancur, Sarr, Maddison in midfield; with Johnson, Solanke (if he’s fit), and Kulusevski upfront. That’s a lineup missing some serious firepower and solidity.
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta uses a fluid 4-2-3-1. A key matchup will be Porro against Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. Porro won some duels against him last time, but he also lost possession 12 times. That’s a lot of giveaways in a crucial area.
Tottenham’s high press isn’t working either. Their PPDA (passes per defensive action) is 12.4, putting them in the bottom 5% of the league.
This makes them vulnerable to Arsenal’s quick counter-attacks. Postecoglou himself said the “squad not deep enough for intensity,” echoing Porro’s concerns, basically. Spurs lost the last derby 3-1, exposed on transitions. It could happen again.
Pressure Cooker: Beyond the Pitch
This North London Derby isn’t just another game. It’s at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a sold-out crowd of 62,850. The atmosphere will be electric, probably tense. Michael Oliver is the referee; he’s handled four prior derbies, averaging 12 yellow cards. So it could get heated.
Spurs had a midweek cup tie to replay on March 4th, giving Arsenal a rest advantage. That’s not ideal for Tottenham. Porro’s comments have amplified the crisis. There’s a lot of talk about Postecoglou’s job. ESPN reports sack rumors are swirling, with Betfair giving it 40% odds.
The stakes are high. A win could lift Spurs to 12th, keeping a faint European League chase alive. A loss, though, could drag them deeper into a relegation fight. Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports thinks “Porro’s right—Spurs squad depth disaster; Arsenal 2-0.” Gary Neville suggested a draw might be possible, but that’s still not a win.
The Opta Supercomputer predicts an Arsenal win at 58%. Ex-players like Jermain Defoe and Rio Ferdinand agree Porro’s frustration is valid. Ferdinand thinks Arsenal will “exploit transitions.” This all sounds grim for Spurs.
Porro’s blast really puts a spotlight on Tottenham’s problems. They’ve spent £200m net since 2023, but they haven’t gotten a top-6 finish. Daniel Levy, the chairman, is under scrutiny. If Spurs lose this derby, Postecoglou’s position looks even shakier. This game feels like a defining moment for this “project.”
