Second-half collapse for Tottenham shows size of Roberto de Zerbi’s task
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Tottenham Hotspur's Sandro Tonali and Micky van de Ven after Yoane Wissa scored a second goal for Newcastle on Aug 29.
PHOTO: ACTION IMAGES
- Tottenham showed early promise against Newcastle but collapsed in the second half, highlighting the challenges facing coach Roberto De Zerbi.
- Despite spending over £300 million on new players, Spurs struggle with mentality and consistency, leading to continued poor home performances.
- Newcastle's strong start under new coach Matthias Jaissle contrasts Spurs' struggles, with key players stepping up despite summer departures.
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LONDON – Tottenham Hotspur’s initially improved performance against Newcastle United gave way once again to familiar failings in their Aug 29 limp 2-0 loss, leaving coach Roberto de Zerbi’s attempt to establish a connection with their fans in tatters.
After a dreadful display at Brentford on Aug 22, in which the scoreline of 3-0 arguably flattered the visitors, Spurs looked sharper for much of the first hour against Newcastle before any optimism was dashed by two cheap goals.
Spurs showed glimpses of the crisp attacking play de Zerbi was hired to bring.
Then the fragility that led to the 47-year-old Italian becoming their third coach of last season came to the fore as they unravelled in the second half.
Newcastle United's Anthony Elanga scores their first goal.
REUTERS: ACTION IMAGES
De Zerbi wrote in his programme notes that he wanted the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to become “a fortress”. Instead, there were thousands of empty seats by the end of Spurs’ 21st defeat in their last 39 home league games.
A summer splurge of more than £300 million (S$518 million) was an attempt to overhaul a squad which had finished 17th in consecutive seasons. But, as de Zerbi frankly admitted, “you can’t buy mentality in the transfer market”.
De Zerbi insists Spurs improving
“I’m sorry for the fans, for the environment, because after two defeats, maybe somebody can think it’s the same history, the same as the last two seasons,” de Zerbi told reporters.
“I have no doubt it’s not like this. I can’t change my opinion for two defeats. I have big, big confidence in the qualities of my players.”
Though even as de Zerbi talked up the “great project” of rebuilding Spurs, he hinted at a future without him, saying the squad would show its quality “with me or with another coach”.
Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa scores their second goal.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Newcastle, meanwhile, are almost a mirror image of Spurs, with an unbeaten start dispelling doubts which had grown over the summer after key players Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes left the club, as did coach Eddie Howe.
Yoane Wissa, who suffered from injuries after he joined last summer, has already matched his haul of league goals last season and said Newcastle’s remaining players “have to step up” after a summer of significant departures.
Newcastle’s new recruits have started well, with midfielder Nico Gonzalez particularly impressive on his debut, though Wissa reserved special praise for new coach Matthias Jaissle: “I think he’s the best signing of Newcastle so far.” REUTERS
