Tottenham Hotspur have slipped into the Premier League relegation zone for the first time this season after a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland, with defender Micky van de Ven conceding the club's plight is taking a psychological toll.
The north London side have now lost seven of their last eight league matches, and Sunday's loss at the Stadium of Light came in Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge. The Italian was appointed earlier this week as the club's third permanent manager of a turbulent campaign.
Van de Ven, a Europa League winner with Spurs last season, told Sky Sports that performances have not matched results but admitted confidence is draining. "We created opportunities today and they didn't create much, but nothing is going our way," he said. "Mentally it is tough. We have been suffering for months without Premier League wins and we need to get that confidence back."
The Dutchman acknowledged that De Zerbi's methods, which include a greater emphasis on playing out from the back, will take time to implement - time Spurs do not have. "He wants us to play with confidence and that is what we need to build, but we don't have long left. We need to do it now."
With six matches remaining, Tottenham are in the relegation places, and Van de Ven admitted the pressure is impossible to ignore. "You cannot say you don't look at other results," he said. "We know we are in the relegation zone and we must get out of it."
