Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a win and without finding the back of the net. Their opening match at Nottingham Forest ended in a 0-0 stalemate, and for the first time in more than four years the team failed to register a single shot on target in a league fixture. The result left the Spurs side with just one point after two games and a growing sense of unease among supporters and pundits alike. The club entered the season after spending a staggering £332 million in the summer transfer window, bringing in ten new faces to reshape the squad.
Despite this massive investment, Roberto De Zerbi’s freshly assembled side has struggled to gel, showing little cohesion on the pitch and failing to translate possession into clear-cut chances. Their latest draw against Everton, scheduled for Saturday and broadcast live on Sky Sports, will be a crucial test to see whether the team can finally break its dead‑lock and secure a first victory. Sky Sports News’ Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded a series of questions from fans, offering a snapshot of the prevailing sentiment. Bridge emphasized that three games is a very small sample size and cautioned against overreacting.
He noted that the draw at Forest was a respectable result given the circumstances, and that the team had been outplayed by Brentford earlier in the week. Bridge argued that the lack of sharpness is understandable after such a massive overhaul of the playing staff, and that the true quality of the squad will only become apparent later in the season, perhaps as late as November, when the new captain, forward line, midfield, and defensive unit have had time to settle. De Zerbi’s relationship with the medical department also came under discussion. He reportedly has no grievances with the club’s doctors and works closely with them to manage player fitness.
The Spurs have endured a severe injury crisis in recent seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns. In response, the club launched an investigation into whether the pitch itself contributed to the spate of injuries.
De Zerbi now follows the medical staff’s guidance on player rotation, aiming to protect his assets and avoid repeats of the long‑term absences suffered by Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison. Some observers argue that without De Zerbi’s strategic vision, Tottenham could already be fighting a relegation battle. The manager has been given carte blanche to reshape the roster, making tough decisions such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to depart for Brighton and splurging on Jan Paul van Hecke despite the player’s contract situation. Bridge stressed that the season is still in its infancy and that the full impact of the transfer window will not be evident until the team has had time to internalise the new tactics and personnel.
Financial expectations add another layer of pressure. After spending over £300 million, the club’s hierarchy is likely aiming for a return to European competition, ideally the Champions League but at the very least the Europa League. European qualification not only brings prestige but also additional revenue from home fixtures, a factor that has become increasingly important in the modern game.
Consequently, many fans view a mid‑table finish as the bare minimum target for this iteration of Spurs. Statistically, Tottenham’s early-season woes are evident. They have yet to score a goal in their first three league matches, a feat not seen since the 2008‑09 campaign.
Their shot volume sits around the league average, but their expected goals (xG) per shot is the lowest among all clubs, indicating a lack of quality chances. Overall xG is the third‑lowest in the division, with only Coventry City performing worse relative to the opportunities they create. Historically, Premier League teams average 1.41 xG per game; Spurs have not reached that benchmark in any of De Zerbi’s first three outings.
Another issue is the constant reshuffling of the attacking lineup. De Zerbi has deployed three distinct forward combinations across the opening three fixtures and has used ten different starters in the front three over his ten league games in charge. The broader starting XI has also been altered eight times, the most of any side after three matches and tied for the most changes ever recorded at that stage of a campaign.
Physical output has declined as well. Last season, Tottenham were outrun only once in De Zerbi’s final seven games, a season they escaped relegation on the final day.
This season, however, they have been outrun in every match, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance. The drop in work rate underscores the need for greater stamina, sharper attacking intent, and a higher level of cohesion to revive their fortunes. Fan reactions on social media reflect a mixture of patience and frustration. Some, like RichN, argue that expecting immediate chemistry from nine or ten new first‑team players is unrealistic, especially when key creative talents such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons, and Maddison remain unavailable or not fully match‑fit.
Others, such as Russ K, contend that the hefty financial outlay should have produced a stronger start and call for a proven goal scorer—suggesting Troy Parrott as a potential solution. A number of supporters, including Mitch L and dbuk1, maintain optimism, pointing to flashes of improvement and urging patience while the new squad settles. The consensus among many commentators is that the early season should be viewed as a transitional period.
De Zerbi’s philosophy requires time for players to understand the system, develop chemistry, and adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League. Comparisons to his tenure at Brighton, where the same gradual integration eventually produced a high‑pressing, fluid side, reinforce the argument that Spurs will likely become more formidable once the new arrivals have fully acclimated. In summary, Tottenham’s opening three games have been marked by a lack of goals, an inability to dominate possession, and frequent changes to the lineup. While the situation is far from ideal—especially given the size of the summer spend—the club’s leadership, coaching staff, and medical team appear aligned in their long‑term strategy.
Patience, careful squad rotation, and a gradual increase in physical intensity will be essential if Spurs hope to meet their European ambitions and avoid the embarrassment of a goalless run extending into the fourth league fixture. The upcoming clash with Everton will provide the first real opportunity to break the deadlock and signal whether the team’s rebuilding process is finally gaining traction.