Tottenham went three league games without scoring at the start of the season for the first time in more than 50 years after Roberto De Zerbe’s side played out a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham were the better team for most of the match at the City Ground, but were unable to find a way through, leaving them with just one point from their opening three games. Premier League Matches.
Defeats to Brentford and Newcastle had already left Tottenham under pressure, and another loss means they have now failed to score in their first three league games for the first time since the 1974-75 season.
De Zerbe urged patience after the match, with Tottenham bringing in 10 senior players over the summer as they try to build a new-look squad.
“We bought very good players, but you can’t build the team with names like Football Manager,” he told Sky Sports.
“We are disappointed with the result but very happy with the performance. Considering that we started working together last Thursday for the first time, on the first day.
“We have to improve in every part of football, organization with and without the ball. Even today I think we defended very well.
“We have to work because I think we played very well with the ball, and we found the solution. I think we can be much better in the final third.”
De Zerbe calls for better decisions
The Tottenham manager was particularly frustrated with the choices his players made when they got into dangerous positions.
One example came in the second half when Omar Marmoush chose to shoot rather than pass the ball to Andy Robertson, who made an overlapping run, or Mohamed Quddus at the far post.
De Zerbe believes those moments will improve as his new-look team develops a better understanding.
He said: “I think we played well. In the final third we have to improve, we have to make better decisions, and maybe keep calm when we are close to doing something important.”
“The chance when Marmoush shot, we had Robertson. If we make the right decision and play with Robertson at the second post there will be glory for scoring.
“I’m very happy with the spirit, the organisation, their style of play is very clear, long balls, second balls, even the second ball we won a lot of duels. They are good players.
“Getting a point in this stadium is not easy. We are not happy that we did not win, but this is the right spirit and the right way to move forward at this moment.”
