Tottenham Hotspur drew 0-0 at Nottingham Forest, registering their first point of the Premier League season.
Spurs had chances to win the game, with Omar Marmoush’s effort in the first half, which he dragged wide of Matz Sels’ post, the outstanding opportunity. Forest had chances of their own, with the crowd incensed at referee Craig Pawson and VAR Peter Banks after they ruled out a Neco Williams goal for a handball offence.
The Athletic’s Elias Burke assesses the action…
When will Tottenham’s attack click?
Tottenham’s trip to the City Ground was both a meaningful step in the right direction and a painful missed opportunity.
Spurs were impressive in the first period, without threatening Matz Sels’ goal — a trend across the match, with Tottenham failing to register a shot on target in the 90 minutes. Marmoush really should have, though, after he was played in on goal by Pedro Porro, but the Egypt international dragged his shot wide. He had another opportunity in the second period, but fired wildly over.
Despite spending big on attacking reinforcements, the attack is still yet to click. Part of that is rustiness, with Savio’s pre-season preparations interrupted by the transfer saga, and Marmoush yet to build chemistry with a bunch of forwards who have spent time on the sidelines. It is up to De Zerbi to address that, and it will take time, though it’s hard to see Marmoush receiving passes in the build-up with bigger defenders in close pursuit as a sustainably effective tactic. It marks the first time they haven’t scored in the first three league games since 1974.
However, Tottenham did keep their first clean sheet of the season, and the issues relating to mentality, lack of aggressiveness, and fitness did not rear their ugly heads. Sandro Tonali delivered his most convincing performance in midfield yet, covering ground, tackling well, and driving attacks forward in transition. At the same time, the defence marshalled Liam Delap, and later Igor Jesus, well.
But Forest are in transition under Oliver Glasner too, and Tottenham had opportunities to make their territory pay, but did not manage it. De Zerbi should be pleased enough about a performance which could have easily resulted in a win, but there is still much to be done.
How was Savio on his Premier League debut for Spurs?
Tottenham fans have had to wait a week longer than expected to see Savio in the Premier League, after he was sidelined with minor muscle fatigue for last week’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United.
Anticipation of Savio in a Tottenham shirt had been building throughout the summer, with the Brazil international making no secret of his intention to join Roberto De Zerbi’s ranks this summer, seemingly liking and commenting on almost every post in relation to the north London club on social media. The excitement was ratcheted up another notch after his impressive cameo in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win against Charlton, where he came off the bench and scored, before inadvertently setting up another for team-mate Ben Davies.
And his first league outing for Spurs was promising. The right wing position has been a major issue for Tottenham since Mohammed Kudus went down with a hamstring injury in January. De Zerbi resorted to using natural striker Randal Kolo Muani and midfielder Conor Gallagher in that position, and the fit looked awkward at best. Without truly threatening Sels’ goal or creating any outstanding opportunities, it was apparent Savio is a natural and accomplished winger with pace and trickery, capable of hurting the opposition.
It was an encouraging debut from the 22-year-old before he was replaced near the hour mark by Kudus, but there’s surely a lot more to come.
Are Spurs lacking a true No 10?
De Zerbi has something of a midfield dilemma.
The Italian has frequently employed a 4-2-3-1 formation throughout his coaching career, and did so to good effect last term as he navigated Tottenham away from the drop. This season, however, his midfield options may work better in a different configuration.
For the second week running, De Zerbi has opted for Rodrigo Bentancur to partner Sandro Tonali in midfield, with one of Mateus Fernandes or Conor Gallagher operating ahead as a No 10. This week, Gallagher got the nod, but the issues with a lack of creativity and central progression persisted.
While De Zerbi has talked up Gallagher’s capabilities as a No 10 and noted Fernandes started his career at Sporting Club of Portugal as an advanced midfielder, neither player is a natural in that position. Kudus can also play there, but has played more frequently as a wide player in the Premier League. So while De Zerbi awaits the inclusion of James Maddison, who may take a while to get up to speed to start games after missing most of pre-season, and the return of Xavi Simons from an ACL injury sustained in April, perhaps Spurs will find more penetration in midfield with either Gallagher or Fernandes dropping slightly deeper. This could allow them to get on the ball and feed an attack with the talent to receive passes between the lines.
What did De Zerbi say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Spurs?