Tottenham's struggles were evident in Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge, with the team's performance against Sunderland doing little to alleviate concerns about their ability to escape relegation. Despite De Zerbi's reputation for having a distinct philosophy and high-performance ceiling, the current squad seems incapable of executing his plans. The team's lack of style and persistent problems have led to a dire situation, with their chances of relegation now standing at 49.5% according to Opta.
With a 14-match winless run in the Premier League, their worst since 1935, Tottenham is increasingly likely to be relegated. De Zerbi's tactics, although theoretically sound, were not effectively implemented, and the team's imbalance and lack of character were exposed. The decision to leave Xavi Simons on the bench has raised questions, and the team's attacking contingent has been underwhelming. With the final stretch of the season approaching, De Zerbi must make the right decisions to ensure the team's survival.
The basics must be respected, and the team must start on the front foot to overcome the crisis. With nearly four months since their last league victory, Tottenham must find a way to win, drawing on the fear of relegation to drive their performance. The team's fragility has been exposed, but De Zerbi must now get the players to perform with the strength of character required to prove their worth.