Dejan Kulusevski led the defence of Ange Postecoglou and promised to fight to protect his vision of 'perfect football' at Tottenham.
Kulusevski, the outstanding Spurs player of this season, confessed mistakes had been made but said the problems were bigger than simply the identity of the manager and players.
He blamed crippling injuries for the team's terrible run of winter form and backed Postecoglou emphatically, rekindling the thrill of this season's victories against Manchester United and City.
'We had games when we showed perfect football,' said Kulusevski. 'Football that not many teams can play in the world.