Udogie backs De Zerbi
Speaking to Sky Sports, Destiny Udogie tipped Roberto De Zerbi to lead Tottenham to safety.
The Spurs defender said: "Obviously, I personally, I knew he was a really great manager and I think since the first day he came, he brought his own style of play and I think he has quite given us the right tools to go into the game and to show our style.
"From the first day he said it’s really important we stay positive, we help each other on the pitch, off the pitch, to build the right connection.
"And I think it’s the right way to end the season, to have six games to go and it’s really important every day we come with the right mindset, the right attitude and just stay positive as much as we can."
De Zerbi welcomes Maddison back
Roberto De Zerbi described James Maddison as a 'top player' ahead of his long-awaited return to the matchday squad. The Spurs boss said: "There are a lot of different types of leader.
"The leader who talks inside of the dressing room, the leader with the ball, the leader in the tough moment, the leader because he helps the team-mates.
"I think to be a stronger team we need many many leaders, for sure Maddison is different, Maddison is a top player on the pitch with the ball but also as a personality, as a character, as a mentality on the pitch."
De Zerbi believes in his players
Speaking to reporters at Hotspur Way on Friday afternoon, Roberto De Zerbi outlined his plan to rebuild the players' confidence. The Tottenham boss said: "I believe in the people. I believe in the human relationship. I believe in the spirit.
"I believe in the soul of the players, before speaking about tactical dispositions, style of play, defensive play, with the ball, without the ball, set pieces… these things are important but, first of all, I work with people, with their problems.
"There are a lot of players and we have to build or rebuild or find in these last weeks the best relationship we can find. I want to see on the pitch players help their team-mates and push everybody for one target and to achieve our big, big target for us, because if we don't achieve our target, everyone loses something in their career..."
There's a first for everything...
Roberto De Zerbi will write himself into the history books this evening.
Funnily enough, the Italian's first home Premier League game in charge of Brighton was against Tottenham Hotspur in October 2022, losing 1-0.
When the Lilywhites face Fabian Hurzeler's side, it'll be the first time in the competition's history that a manager's first home game in charge of two clubs has been the same fixture.
Tottenham team news is in
Roberto De Zerbi has made four changes to the Tottenham side that lost 1-0 at Sunderland.
Xavi Simons, Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma, Kevin Danso come in for Richarlison, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and Cuti Romero drop out.
Importantly, James Maddison returns to the squad, which nobody really saw coming.
Great news for Tottenham, though it's unclear whether he will get minutes today.
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Welcome to our live coverage of Tottenham vs Brighton!
As you may already be aware, Leeds are currently beating Wolves 2-0 at Elland Road.
If they hold onto that lead and run out victors, they will move nine points clear of Spurs.
Not ideal news heading into what is an absolutely huge game.