Speaking in place of head coach Igor Tudor, who was absent due to a family bereavement, Saltor acknowledged that the pressure of a high-stakes survival clash proved too much for his players, despite a promising start.

Spurs had shown signs of improvement in recent days, grinding out a point against Liverpool before claiming a spirited midweek win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. There had been optimism around the club, with fans even turning out early to welcome the team bus ahead of kick-off.

However, that belief quickly faded after a poor second-half display against Forest. Igor Jesus scored in the first half while Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi scored the second-half goals for Nottingham Forest in their win over Tottenham.

"You can see the players care and they are trying their best, but at the moment it's not enough," Saltor said. "The first 44 minutes were good, really good. But in the second half, we were not able to deal with the weight of the game."

Tottenham had looked the stronger side before conceding, which made their collapse after the break even more alarming. The defeat exposed both tactical and mental fragility, with the team unable to respond once they fell behind.

The result also deepened tensions with supporters. Spurs have managed just two home league wins this season, and frustration was clear as many fans left before the final whistle, while others voiced their anger from the stands.

Captain Cristian Romero described the defeat as "painful" but urged unity, stressing the importance of supporter backing in what he called "seven finals" remaining this season.

Saltor echoed that message, insisting the squad remains committed to survival. "Right now, all of us have the same goal - to fight until the end of the season and stay in the Premier League, as this club deserves," he said.

The result moved Forest up to 16th place in the Premier League, leapfrogging Tottenham, who are now just one point above the relegation zone after 13 league games without a win.

Real Madrid derby delight turns to concern as Federico Valverde faces ban