Richarlison's fury at his lack of minutes at Spurs may just give Newcastle United hope in the race for the top four as the Londoners reel from a damaging week.
Spurs are currently four points clear of Newcastle in the table, but Antonio Conte's side have played two games more than the Magpies. Newcastle may be stuttering, after winning just one of their last eight games, but Spurs have not taken full advantage after losing four of their last eight league fixtures themselves.
In the last week alone, Spurs have been knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup and suffered a loss at Wolves in the Premier League. There may still be a place in the Champions League to play for, but it already feels like the end of Conte's time at Spurs is near as the Italian enters the final months of his contract - and the players know that.
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While these Newcastle players have stuck together - one of Eddie Howe's 'non-negotiables' is that the group put the interests of the team before their own even when they are not playing - Richarlison's anger at not starting against AC Milan on Wednesday night hints all is not well at Spurs.
"We won against Chelsea and West Ham and suddenly I was on the bench," the Spurs forward told TNT Sports after the goalless second-leg draw. "I played five minutes against Wolves, asked the reason and no one told me why.
"Yesterday [Tuesday] they asked me to take a fitness test in the gym and told me I was going to start if I passed it - and I was on the bench. There are things I can't understand.
"There was no explanation again. Let's see what he will tell us but I'm not silly. I'm a professional that works hard every day and I want to play. There hasn't been enough minutes given to me. This season - and forgive my language - has been s---.
"I don't have enough minutes, was injured for a bit but when I'm on the pitch, I give my life. I played well in two games, especially against Chelsea, so I think I should have played, but I can't go on crying about it now."
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