Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a victory and without finding the net. Their opening match ended in a 0-0 stalemate at Nottingham Forest, a game in which they failed to register a single shot on target – a feat they have not managed in a league fixture for more than four years. The result left the club with only one point after two games and highlighted the growing pains of Roberto De Zerbi’s freshly assembled squad, which arrived on the back of a £332 million summer spending spree that introduced ten new faces to the roster. The lack of a win marks Tottenham's poorest start to a league season since 2008, and the team now travels to Goodison Park on Saturday to face Everton, hoping to snap the winless run.
The match will be televised live on Sky Sports, and Sky Sports News’ Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded a series of fan questions while we also examined the statistics underpinning the Spurs’ early performance. Bridge’s take was cautiously optimistic. “I’m not overly concerned,” he said.
“It’s only three games, and we managed a draw at Forest. We’re under a very capable manager in Oliver Glasner, and the early results reflect the adjustment period that comes with so many new arrivals.” He noted that the defeat at Brentford was a harsh lesson, but one that underscored the need for the team to adapt to De Zerbi’s tactical demands.
“Newcastle could have gone either way, but we simply weren’t clinical enough,” Bridge added, emphasizing that the early stage of the season leaves plenty of room for improvement. Injury management has also been a focal point of discussion. De Zerbi has publicly praised the club’s medical department, stating that he works closely with them and follows their advice on player rotation. The Spurs have endured a severe injury crisis over the past two seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns.
Recent investigations into the pitch’s condition and other preventative measures aim to avoid a repeat of those problems. De Zerbi stressed that he does not arbitrarily pull players off the field; rather, he adheres to medical guidance to protect long‑term fitness, hoping to prevent setbacks like those suffered by Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison. Bridge also highlighted De Zerbi’s authority over squad construction.
“If it weren’t for De Zerbi, there’s a high chance Tottenham could have slipped into the Championship,” he argued. The manager has already made tough decisions, such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to leave for Brighton and investing heavily in Jan Paul van Hecke despite his contract situation. Bridge believes the true identity of this Spurs side will not emerge until around November, given the overhaul of the captaincy, forward line, midfield, and defence. Financial expectations loom large.
With a £332 million outlay, the club’s hierarchy expects a return to European competition. While the Champions League is the ideal target, even securing a Europa League berth would be considered a success, especially given the revenue generated by additional home fixtures.
Bridge summed it up: “Mid‑table should be the absolute minimum we aim for.” Statistically, Tottenham’s offensive woes are evident. They have yet to score in their first three league games, and if Everton manage a clean sheet on Saturday, it will be the first time the club has failed to find the net in its opening four matches of a season. Despite a respectable mid‑table ranking for total shots taken, Spurs sit at the bottom of the league for expected goals (xG) per shot, and their overall xG is the third‑lowest after Coventry, indicating a severe lack of quality chances.
The average xG per Premier League game sits at 1.41, a benchmark Tottenham has not reached under De Zerbi. Part of the problem is the lack of consistency in attacking selections. De Zerbi has deployed three distinct forward lineups across the three matches and used ten different starters in his front three during his ten league games in charge.
This rotation extends beyond the attack; Spurs have made eight changes to their starting XI in the Premier League this season, the most of any club and equal‑most in the first three fixtures of a campaign. Physical output is another area of concern. Last season, De Zerbi’s side were only outrun once in seven games, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day.
This season, however, they have been outrun in every match. They rank second‑bottom for total distance covered and 16th for sprint distance, a stark contrast to their top‑five rankings in those metrics last term. To turn the season around, Tottenham will need to increase their work rate, sharpen their attacking threat, and improve overall quality.
Fan reactions on social media echo the mixed sentiment. Some, like RichN, argue that expecting immediate cohesion from a squad with nine or ten new first‑team players is unrealistic, especially when key creative talents such as Kudus, Kulusevski, Simons and Maddison are still sidelined or not fully match‑fit.
Others, like Russ K, express disappointment given the financial investment, calling for a proven goal‑scorer—suggesting Troy Parrott as a potential target. Meanwhile, supporters such as Mitch L and dbuk1 remain hopeful, pointing to flashes of improvement and urging patience as the new players settle.
The broader consensus among many fans is that the early season turbulence is part of a larger rebuilding process. Comparisons to Arsenal’s long‑term project under Mikel Arteta are frequent, with some urging the club to grant De Zerbi the same time frame to construct his vision. Others, like THFC‑TrustTheProcess, note that injuries to key attackers like Savio, Maddison and Kulusevski have hampered the team’s ability to convert chances, but they remain confident that the expected goals metric will improve as the squad gains rhythm. In summary, Tottenham’s opening three games have been a sobering reminder that massive spending does not guarantee instant success.
The blend of new signings, lingering injuries, and tactical adjustments has produced a team that is still searching for its identity. While the lack of goals and the low xG figures are cause for concern, many pundits and fans alike advise temperance, emphasizing that the true measure of De Zerbi’s project will become clearer as the season progresses, likely around the mid‑point when the squad has had time to gel and the fitness of key players is restored. The upcoming fixture against Everton offers a crucial opportunity to secure the first win, restore confidence, and begin the process of turning a shaky start into a competitive campaign.