Fan Focus: What Can Sunderland Expect From Roberto De Zerbi’s Spurs Side?

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JANUARY 21: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Marseille, speaks to the media in a post match press conference after the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at Stade de Marseille on January 21, 2026 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) | UEFA via Getty Images

After failing to win in 2026, Thomas Frank was sacked as Spurs boss back in February. What do you think were the key factors that went wrong?

Thomas Frank’s time at Tottenham was unsuccessful after a fast start where we went toe to toe with PSG who had won the Champions League last season are were seen as the best teams in the world but most and after beating Manchester City away in the Premier League.

I believe injuries caused Frank to set us up more defensively, which then meant we would create little to nothing in games and have really low XGs. This was where it went wrong. Maddison getting injured pre-season was a big blow on top of failing to sign both Eze and Gibbs-White.

I believe Frank was the wrong manager at the wrong time, but we must recognise he is a good coach and was not responsible for all of our problems. He was particularly failed in the January window where the team was neglected and the board gambled with the future of our football club.

Frank should have either been sacked around Christmas after being humiliated by Arsenal and Chelsea. Or stick with him. The timing to sack him is flirting with relegation if you ask me.

I wish Thomas Frank all the best for the future. Unlike most Spurs fans particularly on social media, I hold no grudge against him and instead blame the board and owners.

The man to replace him was Igor Tudor, who has also sacked in late March. Things just never got going under him did they?

Igor Tudor was a disaster, leaving the club with a 0% win record, the lowest ever win percentage of a top six manager. It was a shocking appointment with no Premier League experience, and no experience in a relegation battle.

For me, it had to be a permanent appointment for the players to want to play for the manager. The club almost made it too clear that Tudor would be gone in the summer.

The fact of the matter is, he didn’t know many if any of the players, he had no idea of their best position. From Gallagher at RW to Tel at LWB, players were in wrong positions. The departure benefited all parties. My thoughts go out to Igor Tudor and his family after the passing of his father Mario. I also wish Igor Tudor all the best for the future.

With seven games to go, ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was hired to steer Spurs to safety. How did fans react to his hiring?

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has gone down well with Spurs fans I’d say. If I had to say a percentage, I’d say at least 80%-85% of the fan base are happy, recognising the importance of bringing in a permanent coach.

Those who were and potentially are still against him have expressed their frustration on social media. Their issue around the appointment is more morals and De Zerbi as a human being, after he stood by Mason Greenwood at Marseille. Some fans even saying they will not attend anymore and some more extreme individuals saying that will not support the team while De Zerbi is head coach. De Zerbi’s commmets went over and above in a way that seemed to take a stance and suggest Greenwood was painted incorrectly by the media. Across my own social media I expressed my concern around the appointment due to this which could cause division at a time where unity is needed.

I also made clear the need for De Zerbi to address these comments immediately.

Since he has apologised in his first interview for the club after being appointed, he spoke in Italian to avoid mistakes. This for me gave me reassurance and should mean a line is drawn under it. Whilst this issue will never go away. As time goes by. particularly if De Zerbi has a new manager bounce, the talks will die down. For those that hold a grudge against De Zerbi, I would say to them that you still support the team and not the manager. Our support for the club should always be unconditional and no individual such as De Zerbi is bigger or more important than the club.

It goes without saying, I would never want or accept Mason Greenwood at the club, but De Zerbi was put in a difficult position as Marseille manager and he’s a passionate individual that will defend all of his players.

Spurs currently sit just one point above the relegation zone. Is there a genuine fear amongst fans that you could go down?

There is a genuine fear we could go down, with some fans expecting us too. Fans lined the street for Forest at home to greet the team, recognising the situation we are in.

The appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has bought a little bit of excitement. Tudor had no new manager bounce as we won no league games, we need one under De Zerbi to stay up.

Despite your poor form in 2026, who are the players that Sunderland will have to be wary of?

This is tough to say due to the fact we don’t know what formation De Zerbi will go with, or who he takes a liking too.

I’d say though that Sunderland should be wary of Mathys Tel. He has been in good form since Igor Tudor took the shackles off. Xavi Simons also has a lot of potential and is our flair player, yet to find that consistent form in the league though.

If you were Regis Le Bris, how would you set up to expose Spurs’ weaknesses?

Firstly I want to start by saying I have a lot of time and respect for your manager Regis Le Bris who has done a fantastic job of managing the team.

If I was him I would treat it how he usually does and set up mainly defensive and make sure you are strong defensively, whilst also ensuring you can hurt Tottenham on the counter attack.

How do you expect De Zerbi to approach the match tactically?

I  expect us to be more attacking under De Zerbi, having more possession and being braver and bolder particularly on the ball.

I am hoping De Zerbi does not change everything at once with 7 games to go, as it will take a couple of games at least to get that right, and we have not got the time or opportunity to experiment anything. We could be in the relegation zone by the time we play you, if West Ham beat Wolves.

Are any players missing and who do you think De Zerbi will start?

We have suffered from injuries this season. This should not be an excuse but instead frustration towards the board, the owners, and the recruitment team for failing to fact in the January window when we were down to just 11 senior players come the end of the month. Negligence and incompetence.

Currently we are without: Sarr, Bentancur, Maddison, Tel, Bissouma, Odobert, Kudus, Davies, and Kulusevski. Standing at 9 out which is not great but low compared to January and February.

Tel should be available out of that list, even if he just comes off the bench and does not start.

I predict a really attacking line up with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Kinsky (GK) – Porro, Romero, Van De Ven, Souza – Bergvall, Gray – Tel, Simons, Richarlison – Solanke.

The two sides drew 1-1 back in January – what is your prediction for the final score this time around?

I think the game will be a close repeat of the reverse fixture where we the lead and you equalise, just earlier than the reverse fixture.

I’m going 1-1 again, which I would take. Context and hindsight is key but in principle I would if the performance showed real progression and we showed fight.

You are strong at home, even despite the last few results you have had at home. The record there across the season has been really impressive.

I would like to end by wishing Sunderland all the best for the remainder of the season after Sunday. A fantastic club and it’s great to see them back in the Premier League, and going from  strength to strength.