Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi has drawn battle lines with West Ham United ahead of what is set to be a crucial round of Premier League fixtures that could help determine who is relegated this season.
De Zerbi’s mood was difficult to read during an emotional press conference where he left reporters in no doubt about the importance of Spurs beating Aston Villa this weekend.
De Zerbi Plays Mind Games
Following last week’s win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, the former Brighton & Hove Albion and Olympique de Marseille boss spoke about not wanting any crybabies in his team, which I suspect was partly lost in translation.
What he appeared to mean was that he wants fighters rather than victims, and he repeated that messaging again today.
Clear Message Sent To West Ham
“I watch on TV it is impossible and we are crying. We are relegated. Not yet and we have to die on the pitch.
“We have two points less than West Ham. West Ham have difficult games like us.
“The losers cry and think negative. I don’t want people close to me crying.”
All a bit cryptic and Cantona-esque, but we get the drift.
Nuno Taking Different Approach
The Tottenham boss wants a winners mentality and is trying to pile pressure on West Ham.
His messaging is very different to the calmer tone of Nuno Espírito Santo, who quite frankly sounds far less desperate.
I guess we will find out this weekend which preparation works best.
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