In his most recent column for Sky Sports, former Tottenham hero Paul Merson voiced apprehension about Roberto De Zerbi's post‑match remarks targeting the Spurs forwards and the club's medical department. The comments came after Tottenham were held to a goalless stalemate by Nottingham Forest, a match in which De Zerbi openly criticised his attackers for not making the right choices in the final third of the pitch.
The game itself was a stark illustration of Tottenham's early‑season struggles. The visitors failed to register a single shot on target, extending their wait for the first Premier League goal of the campaign. De Zerby also expressed displeasure with his medical staff, alleging that they instructed him to pull Savio and Destiny Udogie after only sixty minutes, a decision he felt disrupted the team's momentum.
Merson's reaction was swift. He suggested that a more courageous display from Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams could have turned the result in the visitors' favour, but he also acknowledged that the draw was a modest start for a side that has endured two consecutive seasons finishing 17th.
He warned that De Zerbi's tendency to air grievances publicly could be a cause for concern among Spurs supporters. "If you have issues with your players or your staff, keep it inside the dressing room," Merson wrote. "Putting it out in the press only fuels speculation and can damage the club's unity." He drew a parallel with Enzo Maresca's departure from Chelsea after the Italian manager publicly criticised the club's medical team for dictating substitutions, noting that such confrontations often lead to managerial exits. The former midfielder questioned whether De Zerbi was trying to protect himself by blaming the medical staff for the early substitutions.
"When a manager is told to withdraw a player, he is still the one in charge," Merson argued. "If the decision is not his, he should still stand by his choices rather than shifting the blame." He also expressed confusion over the criticism aimed at the forwards, pointing out that Tottenham did not create twenty clear-cut chances and that the Forest goalkeeper was not the decisive factor in the match. Merson emphasised that Tottenham have a long road ahead and that patience is essential.
He cautioned against obsessing over the eight‑point gap to Arsenal, suggesting that the club should instead focus on the battle for fifth place and the points differential with that position. "The priority is to close the gap with the teams directly above you, not to get distracted by the league leaders," he wrote. De Zerbi's own statements about his attacking unit were detailed. He praised the overall performance but stressed that the team must improve decision‑making in the final third.
"We need to stay calmer when we are on the verge of creating a crucial chance," he said. He referenced specific moments, such as Omar Marmoush's attempt in the second half and the overlapping runs of Andy Robertson, arguing that a more composed approach could have produced a goal for the likes of Kudus. He also highlighted missed opportunities from Mathys Tel and Savio, noting that several crosses went over the second post.
De Zerbi recounted a sequence involving Pedro Porro, Mateus Fernandes, and Dominic Solanke, where he felt Fernandes was left isolated and unable to finish a promising header. Regarding the medical team's influence on substitutions, De Zerbi admitted frustration. He claimed the staff pushed for the removal of Savinho and Udogie after the hour mark, which he believed disrupted the flow of the game.
While he praised the impact of Kudus and Robertson, he felt that the timing of the changes was sub‑optimal. "Savio is not at his peak physical condition to endure ninety minutes," De Zerbi explained, "and Destiny is equally vital for us. We cannot afford to risk further injuries, but the abrupt adjustments cost us balance and connection on the field." He acknowledged that integrating substitutes into a match that is still finding its rhythm is challenging, and that the plan he had devised was compromised by external factors. Merson concluded that while football inevitably involves injuries and tactical tweaks, a manager should own his decisions rather than attributing setbacks to the medical department.
He warned that continued public criticism could erode confidence within the squad and among the fan base, especially as Tottenham strive to climb out of the lower reaches of the table. In summary, the former Spurs star urged De Zerbi to maintain internal cohesion, to trust his own judgments, and to give his forwards the space to develop without constant external commentary. For Tottenham, the priority remains securing that elusive first league goal, stabilising their defensive record, and gradually building the consistency required to challenge for a top‑five finish as the season progresses.