Robert De Zerbi has issued a rallying cry for a mentality shift at Tottenham Hotspur after the club's 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers, which he believes 'can change something in our mentality.' The win, secured by João Palhinha's 82nd-minute strike, keeps Spurs within two points of safety, but the head coach is acutely aware of the mounting injury toll that threatens to derail their survival bid.
Key Takeaways
- De Zerbi's first win: The 1-0 victory at Molineux is the Italian's maiden three points in charge of the Europa League holders.
- Injury crisis deepens: Dominic Solanke (leg muscle) and Xavi Simons (knee) join nine other absentees, with fitness updates expected Monday or Tuesday.
- Mentality shift needed: De Zerbi insists the result must 'change something in our head' as Spurs prepare for a crucial trip to Aston Villa.
- Survival battle: The gap to West Ham remains two points after the Hammers' late win over Everton.
Infographic: Spurs' Injury List
Out: 9 players (including Solanke, Simons, and long-term absentees) | Next match: Aston Villa (a) | Survival gap: 2 points behind West Ham
Speaking after the match, De Zerbi stressed the psychological impact of the win. 'I hope this result can change something in our head, in our mentality,' he said. 'Because I believe to stay up. If I stay here, it’s because I’m positive.' The former Brighton and Marseille manager, who celebrated with fans in the Steve Bull Stand, added that his faith in the squad has grown since taking training. 'It was a surprise for me because I didn’t know them. When I knew better my players, I understood that we have the possibility, the chance to stay up. We have two points, not 10.'
De Zerbi revealed that Solanke has a leg muscle injury, while Simons is nursing a knee problem, with assessments ongoing. 'I don’t know what level [for Solanke]. We’re going to see in the next days, Monday or Tuesday,' he explained. The injuries compound an already stretched squad, with nine players missing before the trip to Molineux. Despite the setbacks, De Zerbi remains bullish about the team's spirit. 'If you watch the game from a stand or on TV, you can’t understand if they have the right spirit, they have the right attitude. I work with them every day and all players are professional, good guys. They are suffering from this situation. [My task is] to give them confidence and order on the pitch.'
The win over Wolves, which followed a 2-2 draw with Brighton, has injected belief into a squad that has flirted with relegation all season. De Zerbi, known for his tactical acumen at Brighton, is now focused on building momentum. 'We need to stay strong in the head, positive in ourselves,' he concluded. 'I want to be clear and simple.' Spurs next face Aston Villa at Villa Park, a fixture that could prove pivotal in their fight for Premier League survival. For more, see our coverage of Tottenham Hotspur and Premier League. Source: The Guardian
