Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has made it clear that he does not intend to add any further psychological weight on his players as the club teeters near the bottom of the Premier League table, but he also emphasised that securing three points against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday is vital for their survival hopes. The Spurs find themselves entrenched in the relegation battle, sitting two points behind 17th‑placed West Ham United and eight points adrift of 16th‑placed Nottingham Forest after a crushing 5-0 defeat to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Friday night. Under De Zerbi’s leadership, Tottenham have only managed to collect a single point from a home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, a match in which they briefly held the lead on two occasions before ultimately settling for a stalemate.
That result marked the first point the Italian coach has overseen for the club, yet the team is still searching for its first league victory of the 2025‑26 season. With only five fixtures remaining, De Zerbi warned that his squad must remain fully aware of the precarious situation they are in and not become complacent. "I don't want to put extra pressure on the players, but we have to understand the reality of where we are," De Zerbi said in the pre‑match press conference. "We cannot ignore the league table; we know we need to win.
What we have done so far simply isn't enough. If we manage to win at Wolves, the fight is not over, but we will have taken a huge step forward." He added that there are still four games left after the Wolves encounter, and Spurs must seize every opportunity to collect points.
"We deserve to win games," he continued. "Brighton is one of the strongest sides in the division, and after the Chelsea match everyone recognised the quality we have. We played well, but luck was not on our side." De Zerbi also addressed the difficulty of the upcoming fixture, noting that Wolves have already been relegated and therefore have nothing to lose. "It is a tough match because they are playing with freedom," he explained.
"We have to be able to perform without feeling too much pressure. My job is to prepare the team as best as possible and then let them play football. These are very talented players with important qualities, and they can keep their heads clear." James Maddison, the England midfielder who has been out of action since a pre‑season ACL injury, will travel with the squad to Wolverhampton but remains unavailable for selection.
De Zerbi confirmed that Maddison is still on the road to full fitness and that his presence, even if only as a travelling member of the group, is valuable for morale. "Maddison is not ready yet. He felt some pain this week, but it is not a serious issue. He will be with us tomorrow because he is an important figure in the dressing room," the manager said.
"Whether he plays or not does not change the fact that his leadership and positive attitude are crucial for the team." Injury concerns continue to plague Tottenham. Destiny Udogie, Pape Sarr and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are all doubtful for the Wolves match, adding to a long list that already includes captain Cristian Romero, Mohamed Kudus and Dejan Kulusevski. De Zerbi gave a brief update on each player: "Udogie suffered a problem after a strong first half against Brighton, so I doubt he will be fit tomorrow. He is a key player for us, and I hope he recovers for the next game at Villa Park." Regarding Sarr, the manager explained, "He felt a shoulder pain this week and has not trained with the group, so he will miss the trip." As for Vicario, De Zerbi said, "He is not available for this match, but I expect him to return to training on Monday in good condition." Tottenham have also announced that they will wear special shirts bearing the slogan "Spurs against Racism" for the crucial encounter at Molineux.
This decision follows an incident of online racist abuse directed at defender Kevin Danso after the Brighton draw. The club released a statement condemning the abuse and confirming that they have reported the offending accounts to the Metropolitan Police, resulting in the removal and banning of those profiles. De Zerbi expressed his frustration at the incident, stating, "I was very annoyed by the abuse aimed at Kevin.
He played a fantastic game, and a single mistake does not define him. His behaviour on the pitch is what matters, and we will continue to support him." Looking ahead, Spurs must treat the Wolves match as a turning point. A victory would not only close the gap to the safety zone but also restore confidence in a side that has struggled to find consistency under De Zerbi’s tenure. The manager’s balanced approach—avoiding unnecessary pressure while stressing the urgency of points—aims to keep the squad focused and motivated.
If Tottenham can execute their game plan, stay disciplined defensively, and capitalize on scoring chances, they could secure three valuable points. Even if the result is a draw, the experience gained by the younger players and the continued integration of new signings could prove beneficial for the remaining fixtures.
Fans can watch the live action on the Sky Sports app, with highlights available from 5:15 pm on Saturday. Additionally, the club encourages supporters to engage with the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, emphasizing the community spirit that Tottenham hopes to harness as they battle to stay in the Premier League.