Tottenham Hotspur have begun the Premier League campaign without a win and without finding 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 draw gave them their first point of the season, but it also highlighted the growing pains of Roberto De Zerbi’s newly assembled side, which arrived on the back of a £332 million summer spending spree that introduced ten fresh faces to the squad. The lack of a victory has already set Spurs on a trajectory that mirrors their worst league start since 2008.
Their next challenge arrives on Saturday when they host Everton at home, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The outcome will be a crucial barometer for a team still searching for its identity after a massive overhaul. Sky Sports News’ Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded a series of fan questions and dissected the statistics behind the early-season performance. Bridge’s overall tone was surprisingly calm.
He argued that three games are too small a sample size to trigger alarm, noting that even a draw against a side like Forest is a respectable result under a manager as capable as Oliver Glasner. Bridge recalled a recent defeat at Brentford, describing it as a “good hiding” for Spurs and suggesting that the opposition deserved the win. He also mentioned the Newcastle encounter, where Spurs lacked clinical finishing, but again emphasized that it was still early days and that the squad needed time to gel after so many arrivals and departures. In a separate interview, De Zerbi defended his relationship with the club’s medical department, insisting there were no grievances and that he works closely with them to protect player welfare.
He reminded listeners that Tottenham have endured serious injury crises in recent seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns. The club has therefore invested heavily in medical investigations, including studies on whether the pitch contributes to long‑term injuries. De Zerbi clarified that while he does not dictate exact substitution minutes, he follows the medical staff’s advice to safeguard players for the long term, hoping to avoid repeat scenarios like the injuries to Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison.
Bridge also praised De Zerbi’s authority over squad construction, noting that the manager has already made tough decisions such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to move to Brighton and splashing a sizable fee on Jan Paul van Hecke despite his contract situation. He argued that the true character of this Spurs side will only emerge later in the season—perhaps as late as November—given the wholesale changes: a new captain, a revamped forward line, a reshaped midfield, and a restructured defence. All of these components require time to develop chemistry. Financial expectations add another layer of pressure.
After spending over £300 million, the club’s owners and supporters anticipate a finish in the European places. While the ultimate goal is likely Champions League qualification, even securing Europa League football would be considered a success, especially since additional home fixtures generate valuable revenue. Some fans, like "Brad," argue that a mid‑table finish should be the absolute minimum target.
Statistically, Spurs’ offensive woes are evident. They have yet to score in any of their first three league games, and if Everton manage another clean sheet on Saturday, Tottenham will set an unwanted record for failing to find the net in their first four matches.
Their shot volume sits around the league median, but their expected goals (xG) per shot is the lowest among all clubs, indicating a shortage of quality chances. Overall, Spurs rank third‑lowest in xG, with only Coventry performing worse relative to the chances they create. Since the start of the previous season, the average xG per Premier League match has been 1.41, a benchmark Spurs have not reached under De Zerbi. Part of the problem stems from inconsistent attacking line‑ups: the manager has deployed three different forward combinations across the three league fixtures and has used ten different starters in the front three over his ten league games in charge.
Selection volatility extends beyond attack; Tottenham have altered their starting XI eight times in the league this season, the most of any team and tied for the most changes in the opening three games of a campaign. Physical metrics also raise concerns. Last season, De Zerbi’s side were outrun only once in seven league matches, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day. This season, however, they have been out‑paced in every game, ranking second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance—positions far below their top‑five rankings in the same categories last year.
To revive the season, Spurs need higher work rates, sharper attacking intent, and a more potent goal threat. Fan reactions on social media reflect a mixture of patience and frustration.
Some, like RichN, argue that expecting instant cohesion from nine or ten new first‑team players is unrealistic, especially with key creative talents such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons, and Maddison still sidelined or not fully match‑fit. Others, like Russ K, feel the hefty investment should have yielded a stronger start and call for a proven scorer—suggesting Troy Parrott as a potential solution.
Meanwhile, voices such as Mitch L and "dbuk1" remain optimistic, citing gradual improvements and urging supporters to stay calm while the new roster settles. A recurring theme is the comparison to other clubs that have undergone similar transitions.
Lewis Dunk’s remarks about Brighton’s adaptation to De Zerbi’s system illustrate that patience can eventually reward a team with a cohesive, high‑pressing style. Likewise, historical references to Arsenal’s long‑term project under Mikel Arteta remind Spurs fans that building a competitive side often takes multiple seasons. In summary, Tottenham’s opening three games have been marked by a lack of goals, inconsistent selections, and physical underperformance, all set against a backdrop of massive financial outlay and high expectations. While the early data points to a concerning start, many analysts and supporters argue that the sheer scale of change necessitates a period of adjustment.
The upcoming fixture against Everton will be a crucial test: a win could restore confidence and begin to unlock the potential of the new signings, whereas another draw or loss may intensify calls for strategic reassessment as the season progresses.