Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson says new head coach Roberto de Zerbi's football over the next seven games "might not be pretty" but then "he can only improve".
"It's a good appointment for Tottenham," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"He's a manager who doesn't care what people think. He's his own man and he's always delivered under pressure.
"The only problems he's had are when the ownership and director of football are pulled in a different direction - then the project for him unravels very quickly.
"When you look at the job he did at Marseille, the city was very much behind him but the decision-making at the top was not and maybe he was guilty of changing systems and personnel too much towards the end of his tenure.
"His initial remit at Tottenham is to keep them in the Premier League. He can't go in there and change the dressing room. He can't change the players. He's very intelligent with his football knowledge and he will know he's got to go in there and make friends.
"He's got to make every player play for him, every player like him, and come together as a team to get results. Then, at the end of the season, he can be ruthless as he will have assessed the club and the squad himself already.
"He'll know exactly what he wants to do in the summer, but in the short term it might not be pretty. He might go against his style. In the long term he'll play open, expansive, high-pressing football, but for now it might be kicking it long and putting it in the corners.
"It's just about getting through and starting again next season as a Premier League club.
"Tottenham finished 17th last year and are fighting relegation this year. If they stay up, he can only improve. It's a great project at a fantastic club for him to improve."