'We have to be stronger': De Zerbi demands Spurs improve as relegation fears mount

TL;DR

Roberto De Zerbi urges Tottenham to strengthen their mentality to avoid relegation, as they sit two points from safety with five matches remaining. The team is struggling with a 15-match winless streak and injury issues ahead of a crucial game against Wolves.

Key points

Tottenham is two points from safety in the Premier League.
The team has a 15-match winless streak.
Roberto De Zerbi emphasizes the need for a stronger mentality.
Injury issues are affecting the squad's performance.
A crucial match against Wolves is upcoming.

Mentioned in this story

Roberto De Zerbi

TottenhamBrightonWest HamEverton

Manager Roberto De Zerbi believes that Tottenham will only avoid relegation if they are able to cope with the pressure (Ben STANSALL) (Ben STANSALL/AFP/AFP) Roberto De Zerbi has warned his "suffering" Tottenham stars to show a stronger mentality in the fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League. De Zerbi's side are two points from safety with just five games left to stave off the humiliation of playing in the second tier for the first time since 1977-78. The north London club conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Brighton last weekend, leaving them third-from-bottom of the table and extending their winless run in the league to 15 matches. They head to Molineux on Saturday knowing that a victory over the division's bottom club, combined with a defeat or draw for fourth-from-bottom West Ham against Everton, would lift them back out of the relegation zone. De Zerbi believes that Tottenham will only avoid the drop if they are able to cope with the mounting pressure of the tense struggle for survival. "We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy to play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger," De Zerbi told reporters on Friday. "We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season." Injury-plagued Tottenham haven't won a league game in 2026 and their fitness problems show no sign of improving. De Zerbi this week lost left-back Destiny Udogie to a muscle problem and Guglielmo Vicario is still not available after hernia surgery, which means will deputise in goal again. , who has not played this season, was an unused substitute against Brighton and even though he is set to travel to Wolverhampton, the playmaker does not appear ready to feature. De Zerbi, who is Tottenham's third manager this season after the sackings of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, acknowledged the danger of facing a Wolves team uninhibited by battling against relegation. But he believes that Tottenham's players remain determined to beat the drop despite criticism of their limp performances for much of the season. "It's a tough game because they (Wolves) have nothing to lose. It's an important game for us, for sure, but we have to be able to play with not too much pressure," the Italian said. "Sometimes when one team is losing too many games, the rumours are not nice," he said, adding that some people question the seriousness of the players. "It is not like this in this case. "I found good players, good guys, serious players and they follow me. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players." smg/bc

Q&A

What is Tottenham's current position in the Premier League standings?

Tottenham is currently third-from-bottom in the Premier League, just two points from safety.

How many matches has Tottenham gone without a league win?

Tottenham has not won a league match in 15 consecutive games.

What does De Zerbi believe is necessary for Tottenham to avoid relegation?

De Zerbi believes Tottenham must cope with pressure and show a stronger mentality to avoid relegation.

'We have to be stronger': De Zerbi demands Spurs improve as relegation fears mount

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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