Tottenham players seem to have found some newfound confidence under Roberto de Zerbi.
Not many fans would have imagined that Tottenham would be fighting for Premier League survival just a year after winning the Europa League. The Lilywhites have struggled to get going despite spending a fortune on new signings last summer. The instability within the club’s setup has caused several issues and forced the North Londoners into making major managerial changes. On multiple occasions, the players have also appeared to down tools.
It seems as though the Europa League success may have played a significant role in Spurs’ domestic downfall this season. There appeared to be a lack of intensity on the pitch under Thomas Frank during the first half of the campaign. The players looked out of sync, while the pragmatic approach adopted by the Danish tactician ultimately worked against him. The North London club’s decision to appoint Igor Tudor on an interim basis in January also failed to make much sense, with the club losing seven of their eight matches under his management.
However, it is fair to admit that the Lilywhites have looked far more stable since Roberto de Zerbi took over the reins at N17 following Igor Tudor’s dismissal. The Italian tactician has restored a renewed sense of belief as the club continues its fight to preserve its Premier League status this season. Under his guidance, the North Londoners are now unbeaten in their last four league matches. The improvement in form has arrived at the perfect time for Spurs as they continue battling for survival alongside West Ham United.
Tottenham are still going through the trenches in the PL
Tottenham are currently on a four-game unbeaten run in the Premier League under Roberto de Zerbi. It is their longest unbeaten streak in the competition this season, which underlines just how poor the Lilywhites had been under both Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor. There finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel for the North Londoners, who are beginning to rediscover their rhythm and confidence in a bid to escape the drop zone unharmed. Despite their encouraging performances in recent weeks, Spurs should never have found themselves in this position in the first place.
Rory Jennings has now blamed the players for downing their tools and letting the badge down as the club continues to struggle near the relegation zone. Speaking on talkSPORT, Jennings said,
“I think the reason that Tottenham are in this state is because so many of these players have let the club down. A lot of Tottenham fans get annoyed at me when I talk about their club. But I’m the first to admit that they are a huge club with huge history and with a massive support. These players have let down the badge massively. So, I would say there’s more of a clear out needed in the summer.”
Rory Jennings believes Tottenham find themselves in this difficult position because the players have stopped fighting for the badge this season. Considering the stature of the Lilywhites and the importance of the club’s rich history, the players have continued to show little urgency regarding the consequences of relegation. As a result, Jennings believes the North Londoners should undergo a major squad overhaul in the summer if they manage to survive the drop in the coming days.
While it is understandable why some fans would blame the players for the difficult situation the club finds itself in, it is also important to acknowledge that the ongoing injury crisis at N17, along with the constant managerial changes, has played a major role in Spurs’ poor Premier League campaign this season. Several key players have missed large parts of the campaign, while the instability behind the scenes has only added to the problems. As a result, it remains to be seen what the Lilywhites decide to do in order to give themselves the best possible chance of competing at the top end of the league table under Roberto de Zerbi’s guidance.