After a few uninformed opinions about De Zerbi over the last few weeks, guess what: the Italian isn’t some rube after all.
The players he bought are beginning to gel, and unlike beating Coventry City, indoors, this was Chelsea, away.
Talk of it only being one game is welcome; but know this: I treat them with the same attitude I did the remarks about it not all being good enough. Patience is required. I’ve said to you several times this week, calm down and let the man build. Some of you are too daft to entertain such a sophisticated attitude.
If your kitchen was being rebuilt, as mine once was, you’d be sending pompous emails to the property agent you bought it from, bleating about the EPC rating having been misleading.
And did they have Michael Carrick’s number?
De Zerbi post Chelsea
On the win: “I think we deserved to win. The players worked very well, prepared very well the game. This morning, yesterday, all days in the last week and the qualities of the players are very clear. I’m happy for the spirit of the players. I think we have to change the last part of the history of our club. I would like to follow in this way.”
On mentality and fight: “Football is the quality of the play, the quality of the players, for sure, but it is a competition. It is a fight. You have to run, you have to fight, you have to arrive first to the second ball. You have to win the duels and we did.” He also highlighted mentality as key: “The mentality, because we wanted to win this game. We fought in the right way and we made our fans and our club very happy… I think the key for this club… is the mentality. I think now we are improving in the mentality. There is another atmosphere, there is another connection, and another relationship with the players.”
Calling it a complete performance/team: He described a “complete performance” and said Spurs are now “a complete team,” noting improvement in mentality, group relationships, and on-pitch style after earlier games. “When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players.”
On players: He praised Mateus Fernandes (one of the best on the pitch), Mathys Tel (“a big talent” who needs games to become calmer), Sandro Tonali, Micky van de Ven, and others. On James Maddison’s early injury: he played well, it’s “not a very important problem,” and checks are needed; “he’s a special player for us.” Gallagher came on and did well with different characteristics.
On history and future: “It’s not our responsibility the results of the past… we are working to change the mentality of our club in the last seasons.” He referenced a prior team meeting (removing the “mask”) as a turning point and said “We have suffered enough,” wanting continuous improvement game by game. He also noted Tottenham must show personality and mentality as a top club.
More, please, and I aim that at both some of our fans and at Roberto.
Dear me, most of all we need strikers.
A few things I’m going to say…..
I said when all were losing their heads that Xmas was the time to judge manager and players alike. There have been the early signs of positive change for a few games now.
What I saw yesterday reinforces my view that we are indeed improving. Yesterday’s win will be a massive confidence boost for the whole club. Confidence's and success go hand in hand.
Tel: I’m not getting carried away . Up to the goal he was marginal. Our attacks from that left hand side pretty much broke down when he had the ball. Credit where it’s due though. He created and took the goal really well.
Upcoming games : We can really kick on here. These next three games are more than winnable and if we have turned the corner then I expect 9 points nothing less.
MOTD. I watched the highlights to see how they’d edit the game. I’ve said it many times. The BBC don’t like Spurs. That edit made it look like Chelsea had the best chances and were unlucky to lose. Completely at odds to the game I’d watched 5 hours earlier.
Finally. How Palmer stayed on the pitch after his reaction to the handball just shows VAR isn’t worth a light. That’s a sending off offence right there.
Onward & upwards
Gary Neville wishing they’d bought Fernandes and Tonali 🤣🤣🤣