Paul Merson has expressed concern over Roberto De Zerbi's decision to criticise his forwards and medical staff in public following Spurs' goalless stalemate with Nottingham Forest, arguing that such complaints should remain behind closed doors.
The Italian manager took aim at his attacking players for failing to make sound decisions in the final third, with Spurs completing the match without registering a single shot on target. Their search for a first Premier League goal of the season continues as the club battles early-season struggles.
De Zerbi also voiced his displeasure with his medical team, revealing they had instructed him to withdraw Savio and Destiny Udogie after 60 minutes due to fitness concerns. The enforced substitutions disrupted Spurs' rhythm and tactical shape during a crucial period of the contest.
Keeping internal matters private
In his Sky Sports column, Merson outlined why De Zerbi's public remarks represent a troubling pattern. The former Arsenal midfielder stressed that managerial grievances—whether directed at players or support staff—ought to be addressed within the privacy of the dressing room rather than aired to the media.
You say that in the dressing room; don't come out and say it. You need to keep that in-house.
Merson drew a parallel with Enzo Maresca's tenure at Chelsea, where the manager's public criticism of the medical department's influence over team selection ultimately contributed to his departure just weeks later. He questioned whether De Zerbi was attempting to shield himself from responsibility by deflecting blame onto the medical staff.
That would worry me as a Spurs fan. De Zerbi does fall out with people.
However, Merson acknowledged the manager's dilemma. If De Zerbi genuinely lacks authority over how long his players remain on the pitch, he has legitimate grounds to defend his position publicly. Yet the analyst remained unconvinced by the criticism levelled at the forwards.
I don't understand having a go at the forwards, though. They didn't have 20 chances. It's not as if the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper was man of the match. I didn't see that at all.
De Zerbi's assessment of the match
De Zerbi provided detailed analysis of specific moments where Spurs fell short in the attacking third. He highlighted a sequence involving Omar Marmoush, where better decision-making could have resulted in a goal for Mohamed Kudus at the far post.
I remember the chance when Omar Marmoush shot at goal, the way we had Robertson overlapping. If we take the right decision and we play with Andy Robertson then on the second post there is Kudus to score like this.
The manager also pointed to a pattern of crosses overshooting their intended targets, with deliveries from Mathys Tel and Savio repeatedly finding space beyond the far post rather than reaching teammates in dangerous positions. He referenced another opportunity where Mateus Fernandes found himself unmarked following a Pedro Porro pass, with Dominic Solanke subsequently heading wide.
Or how many crosses went over the second post? From Mathys Tel, two times, Savio, one time. Savio, I think it's the last decision.
The medical staff controversy
Regarding the substitutions, De Zerbi explained that while Kudus and Robertson performed admirably after entering the fray, the timing of two simultaneous changes disrupted Spurs' equilibrium. He stressed that Savio and Udogie remain crucial to his plans but cannot yet withstand the physical demands of a full 90 minutes.
The second half, I'm sorry because the medical staff pushed to change Savinho and Udogie after 60 minutes. Kudus and Robertson, they played very well. But two substitutions in that moment was not so good.
Savio is too important for us. The same Destiny. Maybe we lost some balance, some connection.
De Zerbi acknowledged his frustration but accepted the constraints imposed by injury management protocols. He noted that both players lack the conditioning to feature for the full duration and that protecting them from overuse serves the club's longer-term interests.
I'm not happy. But football is like this. Savio has not the best physical condition to play 90 minutes. He's an important player for us, a crucial player. Destiny is another crucial player for us.
I think Kudus and Robertson, they played well. But, you know, to start one game like today, it's not so easy to come in from the bench and adapt immediately.
Merson's broader perspective on Spurs' season
Merson felt Spurs were fortunate to escape with a point against Nottingham Forest, suggesting that had Neco Williams shown greater attacking ambition, the visitors might have claimed victory. Nevertheless, he viewed the draw as a reasonable starting point for a team facing a lengthy rebuilding process.
The analyst's primary concern centres on Spurs' mentality and their ability to reverse a troubling pattern. The club finished 17th in the Premier League two years running before De Zerbi's appointment, and Merson cautioned that such deep-rooted issues cannot be resolved overnight.
It's a long way to go for Spurs. But my problem is the mentality. You don't come 17th two years on the trot and expect to turn it around in a New York minute.
He urged patience from supporters and redirected focus away from the eight-point gap separating Spurs from Arsenal. Instead, Merson argued that the club should concentrate on closing the distance to fifth place, as challenging for the title remains unrealistic given the strength of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
I think people have got to be patient. Spurs shouldn't worry about being eight points behind Arsenal - all they've got to worry about is who's fifth, and how many points they're behind fifth. They're not finishing ahead of Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.
De Zerbi's precarious position
De Zerbi's early tenure at Spurs carries significant pressure. According to reports from September 2026, the manager has already warned he could depart if results do not improve following a summer spending spree of £315 million. The club's investment in players such as Jan Paul van Hecke, who arrived for £52 million from Brighton to unlock De Zerbi's tactical vision, underscores the board's commitment to the project.
De Zerbi was appointed in April as a final attempt to avoid relegation with seven Premier League matches remaining, when Spurs sat just one point above the bottom three. The turnaround since then has been dramatic, yet early-season form suggests the transition remains incomplete.
What comes next for Spurs
Tottenham face a demanding fixture schedule in the coming weeks. The club hosts Everton on Saturday 12 September 2026 at 17:30, followed by a League Cup away tie at Liverpool on Tuesday 15 September 2026. A home encounter with Aston Villa on Saturday 19 September 2026 completes a testing run of matches that will provide clearer insight into whether De Zerbi's methods are taking root at the club.
