In Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, he did absolutely nothing to make Spurs supporters think that there is any hope of the club getting out of this predicament. Whereas rivals West Ham United took care of business on Friday night with a 4-0 drubbing of last splaced Wolves, Spurs looked like they could never even come close to scoring in a 1-0 loss to Sunderland.
Yes, the refereeing was beyond atrocious yet again, but, well, Spurs were even worse. And these five players deserve a whole lot of blame for what transpired on Sunday as Tottenham remain in the three relegation places in the Premier League - and look like a team that 100 percent deserves to go down.
ST Dominic Solanke
Dominic Solanke was beyond horrendous on Sunday against Sunderland, and it is wild to think that he is the club's record signing when he can scarcely even get on the ball or create a sense of danger for Spurs against a mid table Premier League side. Solanke looks like he genuinely cannot be bothered in a relegation fight, as his performances are inexplicably getting worse and worse.
CM Lucas Bergvall
Although Lucas Bergvall is a bright spot for Tottenham and someone who should blossom under Roberto De Zerbi in the long term, he's been quite poor since coming back from another lengthy spell on the sidelines with injury. He will get better, but he made zero impact vs. the Black Cats.
CB Micky van de Ven
Micky van de Ven has been the most disappointing star player these last couple of months as Tottenham Hotspur have slid further into the relegation abyss. The Dutchman was partially at fault for Sunderland's goal, but it was his overall performance that was most concerning. Van de Ven isn't winning the ball for his team, he isn't leading by example, and the quality he should be having on the ball is totally invisible.
CM Conor Gallagher
Perhaps the worst signing in Tottenham history. It is baffling how De Zerbi looked at what Gallagher has done not just for Tottenham this season, but even for Atletico Madrid before that, and thought that the overpaid Englishman is exactly what was needed in the starting XI. Gallagher might be the worst midfielder in the entire Premier League right now.
ST Randal Kolo Muani
Randal Kolo Muani is done in the Premier League. Like Gallagher, De Zerbi seems to be a fan of Kolo Muani's, but he just realized why Tottenham fans and even Igor Tudor wanted little to do with him. He doesn't care about the club, he is ready to leave, and if Spurs are relegated, Kolo Muani could not be bothered one bit. And he plays like it every single week.