Tottenham's major issues were evident from Roberto De Zerbi's first match in charge. The team's performance in the loss to Sunderland did little to inspire confidence in their ability to escape the bottom three.
De Zerbi's appointment as one of the highest-paid head coaches in the division was a high-risk move, especially given the team's already disastrous campaign. Despite the change in management, the same problems persist. Tottenham lacks a distinct playing style, which was part of De Zerbi's appeal. However, the current team is not equipped to execute his plans, as seen in the loss to Sunderland.
The team's 14-match winless run in the Premier League is their worst since 1935, and their chances of relegation have increased to 49.5%, according to Opta. De Zerbi's tactics, although sound in theory, were not effectively implemented, and the team struggled to dominate the ball. The absence of creative players and the injury to captain Cristian Romero will make the final stretch of the season even more challenging. De Zerbi has two weeks to get to grips with his squad before facing his former team, Brighton.
The team must start on the front foot and find a way to win, drawing on the fear of relegation to drive their performance. With no time for sentiment, De Zerbi must get his team to perform with the strength of character to prove themselves.