Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi is convinced that his side can clinch victory in each of their remaining five Premier League fixtures and thereby guarantee their top‑flight status. The latest match, a dramatic 2-2 draw against Brighton at home, saw Georginio Rutter equalise in the 95th minute, denying Spurs a win and leaving them entrenched in the bottom three. Despite the disappointment, De Zerbi remains upbeat, insisting that the qualities within his squad are sufficient to string together a run of five consecutive wins.
The Brighton game was a heart‑breaker. Tottenham appeared poised to secure their first league triumph of the 2026 calendar year, only for Rutter’s stoppage‑time strike to force a point. Former Spurs defender Michael Dawson described the outcome to Sky Sports as feeling "like a defeat," and the result left Tottenham just one point adrift of safety with five matches remaining.
The schedule ahead is unforgiving: a trip to Chelsea, an away clash with Aston Villa—who are pushing for a Champions League place—and other tough encounters that will test the team’s resolve. In his post‑match press conference, De Zerby emphasized his belief in the players’ abilities. "I always believe in the qualities of the players.
They played a good game. I think we can play better than today, with more quality, more calm, especially when we are in ball possession, but in this moment we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality, and it's not finished yet," he said. He went on to stress the importance of the remaining fixtures: "We have another five games – it’s tough, every one of us knows it’s a tough moment, it’s a difficult situation – but we have another five games, 15 points, and this team is able to win five games in a row." De Zerbi was careful to balance confidence with humility.
"Now it’s difficult to hear my words, but if you watch the players, if you analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant, because I’m not arrogant, especially now, but we have enough qualities to fight and to win games in a row," he added.
The manager’s message was crystal clear: there is no room for negativity, and any player who arrives at training with a defeatist mindset will be sent home immediately. He stressed discipline and positivity, stating, "They have to follow me, they have not to think, they have to follow me and to listen to me. I'm proud of their performance – they have to be stronger and focused just on the Wolverhampton game, and come to the training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately.
I have no time to see the negative people, to see the sad players or sad assistants. No." The upcoming clash with Wolves, who are already flirting with relegation, is a must‑win for De Zerbi.
He highlighted the privilege of working at a “big club, a big stadium, we are working in the Premier League,” and reiterated that the squad possesses the right attributes to secure a positive result. "We are lucky because we are working in a big club, a big stadium, we are working in the Premier League. We have the right qualities to win the game, so we have to be positive, because I don’t like the people who cry, who think in a negative way," the Italian manager warned.
Sky Sports analyst Peter Smith echoed the urgency of the situation, noting that Spurs cannot afford incremental progress; they need a transformative lift. He pointed out that Xavi Simons’ spectacular curling strike earlier in the Brighton match seemed to signal a turning point, but Rutter’s last‑minute equaliser crushed that momentum.
The emotional roller‑coaster left the players exhausted and the fans anxious about the club’s survival prospects. De Zerbi can legitimately highlight positives from his first home game: the team’s resilience, the support from the fans, and flashes of individual brilliance. However, the stark reality remains that Tottenham have not won any of their last five Premier League games when they have taken the lead, and they have yet to taste victory in 2026.
The inability to close out matches is a recurring theme that must be addressed if they are to reverse their fortunes. Looking ahead, Spurs face a daunting run‑in that includes an away fixture at Aston Villa, who are chasing a Champions League berth, a home game against an in‑form Leeds United side, and a potential showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The club will spend another week entrenched in the relegation zone, with the gap to safety likely to widen before the Wolves encounter, especially as Forest and West Ham have games in hand. De Zerbi’s tenure has already seen some improvements, and he continues to stress the latent quality within the squad.
Yet, deep‑seated issues—such as a lack of composure in front of goal and inconsistent defensive organization—have hampered the team’s progress. Overcoming these problems within the limited timeframe left in the season is a monumental challenge, but the manager believes it is achievable. In summary, Roberto De Zerbi’s message to his Tottenham players and supporters is one of cautious optimism.
He acknowledges the difficulty of the road ahead but insists that the team’s character, combined with a disciplined, positive mindset, can produce the five wins needed to secure Premier League survival. The next five matches will be a true test of character, and the outcome will determine whether Spurs remain in England’s top flight or face the harsh reality of relegation.