Ex-Liverpool man Graeme Souness believes that top clubs - including Tottenham Hotspur - have managed to correct course over furlough decisions.
A number of clubs, Liverpool, Norwich, Newcastle United and Spurs had made the choice to furlough non-playing staff during the current season delay caused by the coronavirus.
Liverpool and Spurs turned that decision around after public pressure from supporters - while Norwich and Newcastle have continued to use the Government scheme.
Souness believes that Daniel Levy has tried to make amends after jumping onto the furlough scheme early on.
"I think it’s difficult. Liverpool were in the same situation," said Souness speaking on Sky Sports this morning.
"When you’ve got a business turning over £400-500m, then you’re seen to be chasing the dollar, you try and think about how this situation would’ve arisen - a conference call? It’s not one individual making that decision, it's three or four people probably on a conference call."
"From the clubs' point of view, they’ll be thinking about how long lockdown will go on, they’re thinking about the cashflow situation. They’ll be looking to cut corners and save money all over."
"They came to the decision that [furlough] is the obvious one and they’ll take advantage of it. It’s not a good look and it’s backfired on them."
"In the end, they have corrected the situation and it will be remembered for a short period of time, but that will go away."
"Spurs have tried to make amends."
Tottenham had drawn public criticism after Daniel Levy announced that wages would be reduced by 20% at the club with almost half of the 550 non-playing staff at the club being placed on the furlough scheme.
That criticism led to a reversal in direction.
In a statement, Levy said: "The criticism the club has received over the last week has been felt all the more keenly because of our track record of good works and our huge sense of responsibility to care for those that rely on us, particularly locally.
“It was never our intent, as custodians, to do anything other than put measures in place to protect jobs whilst the Club sought to continue to operate in a self-sufficient manner during uncertain times.
“We regret any concern caused during an anxious time and hope the work our supporters will see us doing in the coming weeks, as our stadium takes on a whole new purpose, will make them proud of their club.”
The statement also confirmed that only board members would face a salary reduction as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and that Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has also become a coronavirus testing centre.
