Tottenham Hotspur have kicked off the new Premier League campaign without a win and without finding the back of the net. Their opening match, a 0-0 stalemate at Nottingham Forest, marked the first time in more than four years that the club failed to register a shot on target in a league fixture.
The result left the side with just a single point after two games and highlighted the growing pains of Roberto De Zerbi’s freshly assembled squad, which was built on a £332 million summer spending spree that introduced ten new faces. The lack of a victory has left Spurs perched at the bottom of the table for the worst start since the 2008 season, and they now travel to Everton on Saturday in what promises to be a crucial test. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and Sky Sports News’ Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded a series of fan questions while breaking down the statistics that underpin the team’s early performance.
Bridge’s assessment was measured. He argued that three games is an insufficient sample size to judge a manager of Oliver Glasner’s calibre.
He recalled a recent defeat at Brentford, noting that Tottenham were outplayed and deserved the loss, and he pointed out that the narrow defeat at Newcastle was largely due to a lack of clinical finishing rather than any fundamental tactical flaw. Bridge emphasized that the sheer volume of incoming and outgoing players means that the side cannot be expected to click instantly. He suggested that the true identity of the De Zerbi‑led Spurs may not emerge until November, when the new captain, forward line, midfield and defensive unit have had time to settle. Injury management has also been a focal point of discussion.
De Zerbi has publicly praised the club’s medical department, insisting that he works closely with them to safeguard player welfare. The club has recently conducted an investigation into whether the pitch contributed to the spate of serious injuries that plagued the side in previous seasons. De Zerbi clarified that he does not independently decide when to substitute players; those decisions are driven by medical advice aimed at preserving long‑term health, especially for key talents such as Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison. From a strategic perspective, Bridge argued that without De Zerbi’s leadership, Tottenham could have found themselves battling relegation.
The manager has already exercised his authority to reshape the squad, sanctioning the departure of Luka Vuskovic to Brighton and investing heavily in Jan Paul van Hecke despite the latter’s contract situation. Bridge stressed that the early season should be viewed as a post‑transfer‑window adjustment period, and that the club’s ultimate aim is to secure a European place—ideally the Champions League, but at minimum a Europa League berth to maximise revenue from additional home fixtures. Statistically, Tottenham’s offensive output is alarming.
Although they rank around the middle of the league for total shots, their expected goals (xG) per shot sit at the bottom of the table, indicating that the chances they create are of low quality. Their overall xG is the third‑lowest in the division, surpassed only by Coventry City.
Since the start of last season, the average xG per Premier League game has been 1.41, yet under De Zerbi Spurs have yet to reach that benchmark in any match. Selection consistency has also been an issue. De Zerbi has deployed three distinct attacking line‑ups across the first three league games and has started ten different players in his front three during his ten league appearances. In total, Tottenham have made eight changes to their starting eleven in the Premier League this season—the most of any club and tied for the highest number of alterations in the opening three fixtures of a campaign.
Physical performance metrics raise further concerns. While De Zerbi’s side only failed to stay ahead of an opponent once in his seven games last season—an escape that saw them survive relegation on the final day—this season they have been outrun in every match. They rank second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance, a sharp decline from their top‑five rankings in the previous campaign.
Fans on social media echo a mixture of patience and frustration. Some, like RichN, argue that it is unreasonable to expect immediate cohesion from a squad with nine or ten new starters, especially when creative players such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons and Maddison are still sidelined or not fully match‑fit.
Others, like Russ K, contend that the massive financial outlay should have produced a stronger start, lamenting the absence of a reliable goal scorer and suggesting that a signing like Troy Parrott could have made a difference. Conversely, voices such as Mitch L and several anonymous supporters maintain optimism, pointing to incremental improvements and the promise shown by newcomers like Savio Miller. They argue that once the forward line gels, goals will follow, restoring confidence and momentum.
A recurring theme is the comparison to Arsenal’s long‑term project under Mikel Arteta. Critics remind Tottenham supporters that building a cohesive unit takes time, especially when a significant turnover of personnel occurs. The consensus among many is that the club should aim for a mid‑table finish at a minimum, with European qualification as the realistic target given the scale of the investment. Looking ahead, Spurs must avoid the ignominy of failing to score in their first four league games—a scenario that would set an unwanted record.
Their current goal‑scoring woes stem from a dearth of high‑quality opportunities, as reflected in their poor xG metrics. To reverse this trend, the team will need to improve chance creation, sharpen finishing, and increase physical output. In summary, while the early signs are far from encouraging, the combination of a massive squad overhaul, injury setbacks, and the natural adjustment period required for a new tactical system suggest that a degree of patience is warranted.
If De Zerbi can stabilise his selections, restore fitness to his creative core, and boost the team’s work rate, Tottenham have the resources to climb back into contention for European places. Until then, the fans’ mixed reactions—ranging from cautious optimism to outright concern—reflect the uncertainty that surrounds this transitional phase for one of England’s biggest clubs.