Tottenham Hotspur have begun the new Premier League campaign without a win or a goal, despite splashing out over £332 million on new signings. Their opening fixture ended in a goalless stalemate at Nottingham Forest, a match in which the Spurs failed to register a single shot on target – a rarity not seen in a league game for more than four years.
The lack of firepower and points has left the club searching for its first victory as they travel to Everton on Saturday, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Roberto De Zerbi’s freshly assembled side has yet to find its rhythm. Ten newcomers arrived during the summer window, and the squad is still adjusting to new tactics, a new captain, and a re‑shaped defence. The early results have been the club's worst start to a league season since 2008, prompting a mixture of criticism and patience among supporters and pundits alike.
Sky Sports News Tottenham correspondent Michael Bridge fielded a series of fan questions and examined the statistics behind the team's opening three games. While some fans expressed alarm at the lack of goals, others urged a longer‑term perspective. One commentator summed it up: “I’m not overly concerned. It’s only three games, and Spurs took a point at Forest.
It’s a tough start, but we’re under a very capable manager in Oliver Glasner.” The criticism was not limited to on‑field performance. De Zerbi has also been vocal about the club’s medical department, stressing that he works closely with them to protect players from injury. Tottenham have endured serious injury crises in recent seasons, with key figures missing entire campaigns.
The club has launched an investigation into whether the pitch itself contributed to those problems, and De Zerbi insists he follows medical advice when deciding to substitute players, aiming to preserve long‑term fitness for talents like Mohammed Kudus and James Maddison. Supporters who back De Zerbi argue that without his leadership, Tottenham could have found themselves battling relegation. They point to his willingness to make hard decisions – such as allowing Luka Vuskovic to leave for Brighton and signing Jan Paul van Hecke for a substantial fee despite his contract situation – as evidence that he has earned the trust to reshape the squad.
The consensus among many fans is that the true identity of this Spurs team will not emerge until at least November. The overhaul has been comprehensive: a new captain, a revamped forward line, fresh midfield options, and a re‑engineered defence. Integration of so many new faces naturally takes time, and the early season statistics reflect the growing pains. From a financial standpoint, the massive outlay creates expectations of European qualification.
While the club has not publicly disclosed a target, the ambition is clearly to return to continental competition, ideally the Champions League, but at the very least the Europa League, where additional home matches boost revenue. Some analysts argue that a mid‑table finish should be considered the bare minimum given the investment. On the pitch, Tottenham’s inability to find the net is linked to a scarcity of high‑quality chances.
Although they sit around the middle of the league table for total shots attempted, their expected goals (xG) per shot is the lowest in the division, and their overall xG is the third‑lowest, trailing only Coventry. Since the start of last season, the average xG per Premier League game has been 1.41, a benchmark Spurs have yet to meet under De Zerbi. Tactical instability has also been a factor. De Zerbi has deployed three distinct attacking line‑ups across the first three league matches and has started ten different players in his front three during his ten league appearances last season.
In total, Spurs have made eight changes to their starting eleven in the Premier League this season – the most of any club and the joint‑most in the opening three games of a campaign. Physical output has declined as well. Last season, Tottenham were outrun only once in De Zerbi’s seven games, narrowly avoiding 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, a stark contrast to their top‑five ranking in those categories last term.
Fans on social media reflect a range of opinions. Some, like RichN, argue that expecting immediate 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, such as Russ K, contend that the hefty spending should have produced a stronger start and that the lack of goals is a genuine cause for concern, suggesting that a striker like Troy Parrott could have added firepower. A number of supporters, including Mitch L and several anonymous commenters, remain optimistic, citing flashes of improvement and praising the directness of new forward Savio Miretti. They believe that once the attacking unit clicks, goals will follow and confidence will return.
Conversely, voices like Bravo31 and Imran express worry over the absence of creativity and a reliable goal‑scorer, warning that the current trajectory could jeopardise the season’s objectives. The overarching theme is patience. Many fans invoke the example of Arsenal’s former manager Mikel Arteta, who took five or six seasons to build a side capable of challenging for titles. They argue that De Zerbi needs a similar runway to embed his philosophy, integrate his signings, and restore the squad’s health.
In summary, Tottenham’s early season woes stem from a combination of squad turnover, injury setbacks, tactical experimentation, and reduced physical intensity. While the lack of goals and points is unsettling, the majority of commentators suggest that the club’s substantial investment and the time required for a new group of players to gel mean that panic is premature. The upcoming clash with Everton will be a crucial test: a win could restore belief and signal the beginning of the long‑awaited Spurs resurgence, whereas another draw or defeat could intensify calls for change. Regardless, the consensus is clear – give De Zerbi and his new‑look team the space to develop, and the results should eventually follow.