Robert De Zerbi has called for a change in mentality after his injury-depleted Tottenham side secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux. The win, secured by Joao Palhinha’s 82nd-minute goal, lifts Spurs within two points of West Ham in the Premier League table, providing a much-needed boost for the relegation-threatened Europa League holders.
De Zerbi, who celebrated his first win as Spurs head coach with fist pumps towards the travelling fans, emphasised the psychological impact of the result. “I hope this result can change something in our head, in our mentality,” he said. “Because I believe to stay up. If I stay here, it’s because I’m positive.” The Italian manager acknowledged the team’s difficult situation but expressed faith in his squad’s character, stating that daily training had revealed their professionalism and positive attitude.
The victory came at a cost, however, with forwards Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons forced off with injuries. Solanke sustained a leg muscle issue, while Simons has a knee problem. De Zerbi confirmed the club will assess the duo in the coming days, adding to an already lengthy injury list that includes nine absentees. “We need to stay strong in the head, positive in ourselves,” he added.
Despite the setbacks, De Zerbi remains optimistic about Tottenham’s survival chances, pointing to the narrow gap to safety. “We have two points, not 10 points,” he noted. The team now turns its attention to a tough away fixture against Aston Villa next Sunday, aiming to build on the momentum from their hard-fought win.
