“He destroyed everything” – Polo Fumes on the Spurs bench after being substituted
Video credit: TNT Sports
Palace then went into the interval leading 3-1 with three goals in eight minutes, and Oliver Glasner’s side were able to get through the second period, leaving Spurs in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.
Cristian Romero remains suspended following a straight red against Manchester United, and Hart believes the incident against Palace further highlighted the problems in Spurs’ squad.
Following Polo’s reaction to being substituted, the former Spurs goalkeeper told TNT Sports: “He smashed everything on the bench. He really listened to the fourth official. It was a real headache.”
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Highlights: Spurs fans leave early as Palace defeat raises relegation fears
Video credit: TNT Sports
Hart further added, “He’s obviously an emotional character and you can’t put it on. There’s a fire burning inside him and that’s probably when he unleashes his full potential.”
“But we have to control that too. He is a very important player for Tottenham and we have to set an example in these difficult times.”
“One of the things that struck me under Thomas Frank was that there always seemed to be chaos, emotional decisions being made all over the pitch. You certainly need players like that in your team, but the best teams have the best balance.
“They can keep each other in check when someone is losing. Teams need someone to give them a slap in the face and say, ‘Calm down, you’ve got a big moment coming up, it’s not your problem.’
Spurs have now lost their last five Premier League games, with Igor Tudor equaling Martin Jol’s record for losing his first three games for the club.
Hart suggested there was also a lot of frustration from the Spurs manager and players as the Croatian had his players sent off early in the second half after his team collapsed late in the first half.
“It’s a leadership issue and he was really fired up tonight. He was calm and collected before the game, but obviously in the last game he got emotional and was verbally abusive towards the officials,” he said.
“The fact that he sent his team off five minutes earlier than the opposition at the start of the second half shows what happened[at half-time].
“There are big talks and training sessions scheduled in the next few days. Someone has to get a hold of this place as soon as possible.”
It won’t be all that easy for Tudor, as Spurs’ next league game will take place in the form of a trip to Anfield, sandwiched between their UEFA Champions League last-16 match against Atletico Madrid.
