Roberto De Zerbi's immediate task at Tottenham is clear: rebuild a shattered mentality. That's the stark assessment from former Spurs defender Stephen Kelly, who highlighted a critical flaw in the squad's character during an interview with BBC Sportsworld.

"When Spurs concede, they fall off a cliff," Kelly stated, pinpointing a lack of resilience that has plagued the team. He argues that instilling belief is now the new head coach's most urgent priority, a challenge made harder by the relentless pace of the Premier League.

While De Zerbi is renowned for his meticulous, pragmatic approach, Kelly emphasizes that time is a luxury he doesn't have. The solution must be "something quick and something motivating" to forge a new, more resilient mindset within the squad before their situation deteriorates further.

The concern among supporters is palpable, with fears mounting about a potential relegation battle, especially with clubs like Chelsea and a resurgent West Ham finding momentum. A particularly damning statistic underscores the crisis: the club's shocking lack of home wins this season. As Kelly noted, one fan pointed out that Northampton Saints Rugby team have more home wins at the Tottenham Stadium in 2026 than Spurs have managed this year—a sobering comparison that sums up the scale of the turnaround required.