Paul Merson has warned that Roberto De Zerbi’s public criticism of Tottenham’s forwards and medical staff should concern supporters after Spurs’ goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham remain without a Premier League goal this season after failing to find the net at the City Ground on Saturday, despite registering 12 attempts. Forest also had 12 efforts, while Neco Williams saw a second-half goal ruled out for handball following a VAR review.
De Zerbi questioned his players’ judgement in the final third and said they needed to remain calmer when opportunities arose. He also expressed frustration after being advised to withdraw Sávio and Destiny Udogie after around an hour.
Paul Merson concerned by Roberto De Zerbi criticism
Merson believes the Italian should have kept his complaints behind closed doors, particularly his comments about the medical team’s influence over substitutions.
“Roberto De Zerbi had a go at his forwards after the game. He also had a go at his medical staff for dictating his substitutions,” Merson said.
“You say that in the dressing room; don’t come out and say it. You need to keep that in-house.”
The former England midfielder added that De Zerbi’s approach would be worrying for Tottenham supporters, pointing to the manager’s history of disagreements during his career.
“That would worry me as a Spurs fan. De Zerbi does fall out with people,” Merson said.
De Zerbi said the medical staff had pushed for Sávio and Udogie to be replaced after 60 minutes because of concerns about their physical condition and the risk of further injury. He accepted that Mohammed Kudus and Andy Robertson performed well after coming on, but felt the double substitution disrupted Tottenham’s balance.
“I’m not happy when we have the plan,” De Zerbi said. “But it’s for my advantage, for my business, the management of the players after injuries.”
Merson acknowledged that the manager may have been trying to explain decisions that were not entirely his own, but questioned why he had criticised Tottenham’s forwards after a game in which they created relatively few clear chances.
“I don’t understand having a go at the forwards, though,” he said. “They didn’t have 20 chances. It’s not as if the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper was man of the match.”
De Zerbi said Spurs had played well overall but needed to improve their decision-making in attack. He highlighted missed opportunities involving Omar Marmoush, Mathys Tel and Sávio, while insisting that the team’s spirit and defensive organisation had been encouraging.
Tottenham’s point was their first of the campaign, but they have yet to score after three league matches. Merson urged patience, arguing that De Zerbi will need time to change the mentality of a side that has finished 17th in each of the past two seasons.
“You don’t come 17th two years on the trot and expect to turn it around in a New York minute,” he said.
