The situation in Roberto De Zerbi Tottenham has taken a dramatic twist as pressure mounts at Tottenham Hotspur after a late defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. Roberto De Zerbi is still defiant even after the outcome. He is confident that Tottenham can still win all their remaining five matches in the premier league. His point is quite obvious: not the end of the season.
The Italian manager is putting emphasis on mentality, but not tactics at this point. He emphasized that belief and discipline will determine whether Tottenham will get out of the relegation fight. This is an indication of a change of attitude and mindset is now as crucial as pitch performance.
But De Zerbi was not spared in dealing with the attitude of players. He threatened that those that will not meet his standards will be requested to quit training. Such a firm position indicates that he is willing to make difficult choices during a critical situation.
In a larger perspective, this might be a turning point. Teams who are in danger of relegation are usually most dependent on momentum and even a brief winning streak can alter the whole scenario. De Zerbi appears to be gambling on just that.
Nonetheless, the task is daunting. It is not easy to win five games in a row in the premier league and more so when one is a pressurized team. However, there have been other cases of football escapes in the past. In the case of Tottenham, the next few weeks will shape their season. To De Zerbi it is an ordeal of leadership. Should his gamble pay off, it would not only change the future of the club but his status in English football as well.
