Tottenham's major concerns were evident from the start of Roberto De Zerbi's tenure. Prior to their trip to Sunderland, the team had slipped into the bottom three, and their performance in the loss did little to boost confidence in their ability to escape the relegation zone. De Zerbi's appointment as one of the highest-paid head coaches in the division was a high-risk move, especially given the already disastrous state of the campaign. Some argue that retaining Igor Tudor would have been an even riskier decision.
However, regardless of who is in charge - De Zerbi is Spurs' fourth manager in the last 12 months - the same problems persist. Tottenham lacks a distinct style of play, which may have been part of De Zerbi's appeal. The Italian coach brings a clear philosophy and a unique approach to the game, as seen during his time at Brighton, where he achieved a high level of performance.
The issue is that the current Spurs squad is not capable of executing De Zerbi's plans, as evident in their loss to Sunderland. The team's chances of relegation, according to Opta, have surged to 49.5 percent after Leeds beat Manchester United, with only one point gained from a possible 24. Spurs are on a 14-match winless Premier League run, their worst since 1935, making them increasingly likely contenders for relegation. De Zerbi's first press conference saw him prioritize 'character, spirit, and courage' over implementing his tactical ideas, given the limited time available.
However, aside from a bright opening 10 minutes, Spurs lacked these qualities. De Zerbi's setup, although theoretically sound, was not effectively implemented. He packed the central areas with energetic players like Conor Gallagher and Lucas Bergvall, but they struggled to dominate the ball and lost the battle. Sunderland's midfield trio of Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, and Habib Diarra outperformed their Tottenham counterparts, with Xhaka controlling the tempo and generating the most passes into the final third.
Out of possession, Sunderland was superior, winning more tackles and making more interceptions. Spurs managed seven shots on target, but only one was considered a big chance, and that was missed by Dominic Solanke. Full-back Pedro Porro was the team's best hope for an open-play threat, which does not reflect well on the attacking contingent. De Zerbi is an ideas man, but he lacks fit creators, which raises questions about the decision to leave Xavi Simons on the bench until the final six minutes.
This six-game stretch will be decided by such decisions, especially with the absence of captain Cristian Romero due to injury. By the time Brighton visits the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, De Zerbi will have had two weeks to get to grips with his squad, but he will not have the luxury of significant resources to overcome his former team. Tangible improvements can still be made, and basics must be respected.
Spurs must start on the front foot to address this crisis head-on, having been winless in their last 32 Premier League games after going behind. It has been nearly four months since they last tasted victory in the league, and they must find a way to win this weekend. They need to draw upon the fear of relegation more effectively, especially in moments of misfortune. Theoretically, this is a team of good players, and now it is up to De Zerbi to get them performing with the strength of character to prove it.