‘It’s not finished yet’: De Zerbi determined to stay positive despite Brighton body blow

Roberto De Zerbi has warned he has “no time to see negative people” among his Tottenham players after they were denied the chance to climb out of the relegation zone by an injury-time equaliser from his former club Brighton.

Georginio Rutter’s strike made it 15 games without a victory for Spurs after they had twice led, first through Pedro Porro then Xavi Simons. The draw left Tottenham in the bottom three and a point behind West Ham who travel to Crystal Palace on Monday night. Nottingham Forest, one point ahead of the Hammers, host Burnley on Sunday.

De Zerbi could not hide his disappointment with the result but was enthused by his side’s performance. He made the bold prediction that they were capable of winning their last five matches but admitted that would require his players to continue to show the belief that they can prevent Spurs being relegated for the first time since 1977.

Roberto De Zerbi was his typically exuberant self when Tottenham took the lead against Brighton, but the good times weren’t to last. Photograph: News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

“I always thought and believed in the quality of the players. In this moment we need this spirit, this attitude, this mentality. It’s not finished yet,” the Spurs head coach said. “Every one of us knows it’s a tough moment, it’s a difficult situation. Now it’s difficult to hear my words. But if you watch the players, if you analyse the level of the players, I think we can win five games in a row. Not to be arrogant, because I’m not arrogant now, especially now. But we have the qualities enough to fight and to win games in a row.”

Asked if his players were dejected after conceding such a late goal, De Zerbi insisted: “No. They have to follow me and not think and listen to me. They have to listen to me. They have to be stronger and come to the training ground on Monday afternoon with a smile, because otherwise they go home immediately.