Tottenham Hotspur’s extensive summer recruitment was intended to mark the beginning of a new era, but the opening two Premier League matches have exposed several familiar weaknesses. Spurs have lost 3–0 to Brentford and 2–0 to Newcastle United, leaving them without a point or a goal and at the bottom of the table.
The result against Newcastle was particularly frustrating because Tottenham started brightly. They created several promising openings and produced the better chances for long periods of the first half, with Pedro Porro, Mathys Tel and Omar Marmoush all threatening the Newcastle goal. However, Spurs failed to turn their pressure into a breakthrough.
The match changed in the 62nd minute when Anthony Elanga opened the scoring for Newcastle. His low strike went in off the inside of the post, giving the visitors the lead despite Tottenham having appeared the more dangerous side before the interval.
Newcastle doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. Yoane Wissa produced an outstanding close-range overhead finish after a corner, leaving Tottenham with a two-goal deficit and little time to respond.
The most concerning aspect of the defeat was Tottenham’s reaction after conceding. Instead of increasing the pressure, Spurs lost confidence and struggled to create a convincing response. Their passing became less effective, while the spaces between the defense, midfield and attack grew larger.
De Zerbi acknowledged that mentality remains his biggest challenge. He said the team had played better than Newcastle until the first goal but admitted that Tottenham lost confidence afterward. The manager also pointed to poor distances between the lines and a need for better decisions in the final third.
That collapse has affected the mood inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. De Zerbi had hoped to turn the ground into a fortress, but the club’s poor home form has continued. Tottenham won only three league matches at home last season, and thousands of supporters left before the final whistle against Newcastle.
The atmosphere can quickly become negative when Spurs concede, creating additional pressure on a team still trying to develop new relationships and tactical habits. The club have spent approximately £320 million this summer, but transfer spending cannot immediately erase the psychological problems carried over from previous campaigns.
Tottenham’s scoreless start is historically poor. They have become the first team in Premier League history to lose their opening two matches without scoring, while also failing to find the net in their first two league games for the first time since the 1974–75 season.
De Zerbi has insisted there is no panic and remains confident in the quality of his players. However, several senior figures are reportedly considering their futures, adding further uncertainty as the transfer deadline approaches. Richarlison, Kevin Danso and Pape Matar Sarr were all absent from the matchday squad amid reports that they have asked to leave.
The manager’s immediate task is to create a more connected team. Tottenham must improve their defensive distances, maintain intensity after setbacks and make better decisions around the penalty area.
The summer rebuild has given Spurs greater depth, but the opening matches show that recruitment alone will not solve the club’s problems. Until Tottenham develop a stronger mentality and learn to respond when matches turn against them, the old weaknesses will continue to resurface.
