Tottenham's struggles have been laid bare, and their woes were evident in their defeat to Sunderland. Despite the high-profile appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, the same issues persist, and the team lacks a distinct style of play.
De Zerbi's philosophy and approach are clear, but the current squad seems incapable of executing his plans. The statistics are dire, with a 14-match winless run in the Premier League, their worst since 1935. Their chances of relegation have skyrocketed to 49.5%, and they are increasingly likely to be contenders for the drop.
De Zerbi's first game in charge did not yield the desired results, with the team struggling to dominate the ball and create scoring opportunities. The absence of fit creators and the decision to leave Xavi Simons on the bench have raised questions.
With a daunting six-game gauntlet ahead, De Zerbi must make the right decisions to steer the team to safety. The basics must be respected, and the team must start on the front foot to overcome this crisis. They have to draw from the well of relegation fear and find a way to win, especially in moments of misfortune.
Theoretically, this is a team of good players, but it is up to De Zerbi to get them performing with the strength of character to prove it.