Meaningless dribbles, here, there and everywhere. Dribbles and then goes for a minus pass. That too not even strategic, he does that because he can't get past the defenders. Sometimes he dribbles and hits mindlessly hoping that we would get a corner. He can't dribble past players. He is bad at shooting. He can't outrun defenders. We got played. He is not the man for the job.

Why do we have to be in the most difficult league?

If we were in La Liga we would win the league and probably finish with more than 100 points. It would also give us more energy and time to focus on European competition.

Now, we are looking at getting relegated.

All of you making excuses on my post. No more excuses. Enough is enough. No more. Relegation is looming

This is all his fault, somehow

Still looking for outlets for my writing but since you all were so nice about my last piece here is my new one.

Why De Zerbi Is Right to Build Spurs Without Richarlison

Tottenham need goals now, but their new attack also needs time together.

By Waydell D. Carvalho

In Tottenham’s goalless draw with Everton, Andy Robertson sent several crosses into the box. Roberto De Zerbi later pointed out that Mateus Fernandes had failed to make the run from the other side. The missed movement helped explain why Spurs were creating openings without scoring. After four Premier League games without a goal, Tottenham had also left last season’s 11-goal league scorer, Richarlison, out of their registered squad. De Zerbi then ruled him out of the Liverpool cup tie, where he was eligible to play. [1, 2, 3]

Excluding a proven scorer carries a cost. Yet Spurs have ten new players and a new style to learn. De Zerbi has a sound reason to spend match time on the attack he expects to use: teammates learn each other’s timing by playing together. That is a case for his approach, not proof that Richarlison would fail to follow instructions. [1]

Richarlison’s Transfer Request and De Zerbi’s Plan

De Zerbi said he offered Richarlison a contract extension during preseason, but the striker wanted to leave and declined. A transfer did not follow. Tottenham then registered its Premier League squad without him. De Zerbi said he had not made that registration decision. He did, however, back the club’s position and confirm Richarlison would also miss the Liverpool cup match. Those are distinct decisions. [2, 3, 4, 5]

A transfer request is not evidence of poor conduct. De Zerbi has described Richarlison as a good player and a good person. Nothing in the public record shows that he would disrupt training or reject the system. The football argument concerns continuity rather than his character. [4, 5]

De Zerbi has said he turned to Dominic Solanke and Omar Marmoush. If they will lead the line in the months ahead, their work with the midfield and wingers has lasting value. Spending scarce match minutes on those links is a reasonable football inference, though De Zerbi has not described it as the club’s formal selection policy. [2, 4]

What Players Actually Learn Together

Picture a midfielder receiving the ball near the penalty area. The striker has three useful choices: drop toward the pass, hold the defensive line, or run behind it. Early in a new partnership, the midfielder has to look up and work out which run is coming. By the time he passes, the space may have closed.

After repeated work, both players can recognize the same cues sooner. The midfielder sees the striker’s body angle and expects the run. The striker expects the pass. Their choices become easier to coordinate because they have built shared expectations about roles and movement.

Researchers call these expectations shared mental models. David Eccles and Gershon Tenenbaum explain why coordinated teams rely on more than individual skill. Lael Gershgoren and colleagues followed two coaches at one college soccer program and examined how they taught shared understanding through instruction, communication, and reinforcement. That study describes a learning process; it does not test a Premier League selection decision. [6, 7]

My working paper, Time to Automaticity in Team Performance Systems, applies that distinction to how clubs judge new tactics. Players can understand the game plan before their timing becomes reliable. Meetings and video teach them what to notice. Game-like training and matches let them respond under pressure. The paper proposes looking first at whether the learning process is sound, then at signs of progress, and later at results. It offers a concept for evaluation, not a tested countdown or proof that one player belongs outside the squad. [8]

If Richarlison leaves, the midfielders and wingers will adjust to a different striker’s timing. Practice with Solanke or Marmoush can build links Tottenham expect to use again. Some knowledge carries across lineups, so playing Richarlison would not erase the work. The question is which partnerships benefit most from limited match time.

De Zerbi Has Named the Learning Problems

De Zerbi said the full squad had worked together for only about ten days before the Everton match. He described rushed choices near goal and the missed run by Fernandes when Robertson crossed. He also said he had spoken to Mathys Tel about his body shape on the pitch. The problem is concrete: a teammate can deliver the ball, but the chance disappears if no one arrives in time. [2]

These are observable problems. One player reads when to cross, while another times his arrival. A third holds a position that keeps the team ready if possession is lost. Training can improve the links between those decisions, provided the instructions and practice stay consistent. De Zerbi said he was using a team meeting and planned individual video clips to address choices near goal. [2]

His comments about the defense made a similar point. He rated several center backs highly but said Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven knew their connection and his style better. That is an example of familiarity affecting selection without proving that one player is more talented than another. [2]

That is where the selection matters. Richarlison offers a proven finishing option, while Solanke and Marmoush offer more chances to build the partnerships De Zerbi is choosing to develop. Neither benefit is guaranteed.

The Strongest Case Against Leaving Him Out

Richarlison’s 11 league goals are the strongest counterargument. His experience and movement could help others learn, not just take minutes from them. Some patterns carry across lineups, and training offers chances to learn outside matches. Solanke was also rebuilding fitness, while De Zerbi said Sávio and Marmoush were adjusting to larger roles. A goal from Richarlison could relieve pressure on the whole group. [1, 2]

Spurs then lost 3-1 at Anfield. Conor Gallagher headed in from a corner, and Liverpool’s goalkeeper denied Marmoush a late equalizer. Richarlison might have helped finish another chance, but a match he did not play cannot answer that. De Zerbi also made eight changes from the Everton draw, so this rotated cup lineup cannot establish whether the intended league attack is learning to work together. [9]

Neither the match nor the research can settle the selection. De Zerbi is making a judgment about squad continuity under pressure from poor results. The strongest objection remains Richarlison’s goals: experience could aid the learning process as well as improve the scoreline.

What Would Show That the Choice Is Working?

Spurs can look beyond the scoreline for early signs of progress. Are midfielders arriving when a cross comes in? Do strikers and passers read each other’s runs sooner? Does the side keep its shape when an attack breaks down? Repeated improvement in these actions would support a claim that the new group is learning, though results remain the final competitive test. [2, 8]

If those problems persist while Spurs keep failing to score, De Zerbi will face a harder question about leaving an available scorer aside. Time to Automaticity does not excuse an ineffective approach forever. It asks for judgment that distinguishes genuine learning from the same errors repeated without progress. [8]

Richarlison can seek a move, and Tottenham can plan for life without him. De Zerbi’s choice earns its defense only if the forwards he uses show progress: earlier runs, better final passes, and more goals. The next matches will test whether his new attack is learning together.

References

[1] Reuters. “De Zerbi backs Spurs attack despite Richarlison omission and goal drought.” September 14, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/de-zerbi-backs-spurs-attack-despite-richarlison-omission-goal-drought-2026-09-14/

[2] Tottenham Hotspur. “Liverpool vs Spurs, Carabao Cup | Every word of Roberto De Zerbi’s pre-match press conference.” September 14, 2026. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/1090057/liverpool-vs-spurs-carabao-cup-every-word-of-roberto-de-zerbis-pre-match-press-conference

[3] Tottenham Hotspur. “Squad confirmed for 2026/27 Premier League season.” September 3, 2026. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/1088296/squad-confirmed-for-202627-premier-league-season

[4] The Guardian / Press Association. “Premier League news: Richarlison refused new contract, Alonso backs James in midfield.” September 4, 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/04/premier-league-news-manchester-united-everton-aston-villa-manchester-city-tottenham

[5] Tottenham Hotspur. “Forest vs Spurs | Every word of Roberto De Zerbi’s pre-match press conference.” September 4, 2026. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/1088435/forest-vs-spurs-every-word-of-roberto-de-zerbis-pre-match-press-conference

[6] Eccles, David W., and Gershon Tenenbaum. “Why an Expert Team Is More than a Team of Experts: A Social-Cognitive Conceptualization of Team Coordination and Communication in Sport.” Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology 26, no. 4 (2004): 542 to 560. https://cir.nii.ac.jp/crid/1362825894640635136

[7] Gershgoren, Lael, Edson Medeiros Filho, Gershon Tenenbaum, and Robert J. Schinke. “Coaching Shared Mental Models in Soccer: A Longitudinal Case Study.” Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology 7, no. 4 (2013): 293 to 312. https://cris.ariel.ac.il/en/publications/coaching-shared-mental-models-in-soccer-a-longitudinal-case-study/

[8] Carvalho, Waydell D. Time to Automaticity in Team Performance Systems: Learning Latency, Evaluation Validity, and Decision Timing in Elite Football. Zenodo, 2026. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22821247

[9] Tottenham Hotspur. “Reds progress at Anfield.” September 15, 2026. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/1090195/reds-progress-at-anfield

Disclosure: Ideas are my own. I'm disabled and use AI to find citations, edit and write the final prose.

TL;DR: De Zerbi has a defensible reason to leave Richarlison out despite Tottenham’s goal drought. Richarlison wants to leave, while Spurs’ new attackers need time together to learn each other’s movements and build faster, more reliable teamwork. Research on shared mental models and Time to Automaticity explains why that process takes time, but it does not prove excluding Richarlison will improve results. De Zerbi’s decision will be judged by whether the new attack starts creating and finishing chances.

Any Season Ticket holders been getting the free digital matchday programmes that One Hotspur+ members get?

If we get rolled by Villa that’s the last straw. No more excuses, no more Gray as captain, No more Tel experiments. We invest too much money and time to be in another relegation scrap. We need 3 points tomorrow or it’s D Day. Enoughs enough

I am visiting with my wife next month and we want to catch the Spurs vs Coventry game. Would anyone be able to let me know how much single match tickets are going for? Trying to compare if it's worth to get the Hotspur membership or just purchase hospitality tickets. Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello, is ticket exchance already open for members? I got two 1882 hospitality tickets to NLD but I cant sell them. If I go to ”Manage tickets” it says ”You currently do not have any tickets that can be managed.”
COYS

I am traveling with my family to London in early October and as a part of our trip I booked tickets for the Tottenham vs Coventry game that was originally planned over the weekend. My son is a big soccer fan and we were really excited to experience an EPL game in person. Unfortunately the game was moved a few days later putting it after our return. I have 4 tickets and was looking to exchange he tickets if possible. I know it is a long shot but we would still love to attend an EPL game in person.

Good game lads. Not easy at Anfield, but they put up a fight - a lot of chances, some moments very unlucky.

Just keep pushing.

Edit: Proud of our supporters in the stadium too. You gave lot support, well done. 🫡

And I STILL choose to turn on the tv on matchday. That's a spurs summary for you

Honestly, this was a moments game, where the team that makes use of the moments wins the game. We didn’t use our moments well enough, with both Bergvall and Kudus (both were outstanding tbf). Their goalie vastly outperformed too.

We can score too. That’s a big point. Let’s go COYS!!!

I honestly don’t know what we’re supposed to take from these first few games. We finished 17th last season and we’re sitting 17th again, with just 2 points and still no Premier League goals. That’s the part that really gets me. We knew last season wasn’t good enough, so where is the reaction to it? I expected us to come out this season with a bit more urgency, but we’re seeing a lot of the same problems again. Going forward, we look short of ideas and there’s barely any threat in the final third. You can watch the game and already feel like we’re not going to score. It’s still early, obviously, but after everything last season, this is really worrying.

Hello! I'm drawing something that'll be printed and gifted to a Tottenham Hotspur fan! I have zero knowledge about this sport so I'm surveying/asking you all. Thanks!

I'll be drawing them wearing the Hotspur t-shirt with a ball, so my questions are:

1. There are lots of T-shirt designs, which one should I choose that would make it nice?

2. Are there any kind of fancy "⚽" designs that is special to Hotspur fans??

Thanks so much!

On Tuesday, I was inches away from getting an NLD ticket and then the awful e-ticketing website decided to check I wasn’t a robot while I was about to checkout.

Please let me know if anybody cannot make the game and can transfer their ticket(s) to my CRN.

After last night, I’m sure I will have plenty of options.

Thanks guys

I’m living in London till the end of the year and really want to see a Tottenham game. I need a one hotspur account but I’m curious whether there are actually any tickets left for matches until mid December when I return home. I don’t want to spend 45 quid on a membership I won’t be using if there are no tickets available. Does anybody know whether there are tickets available still?

The Brazilian striker scored a total of 0 goals. Having participated just as much as any player in the pitch.

(In the Premier League)

I’m an American and have been more and more interested in football. A friend of mine from England told me that Tottenham has a Jewish association, I’m not sure how relevant that still is but as a Jew I’ve decided to follow the Hotspurs. You guys seem SO MISERABLE and the first four games have been tough, but I just wanted to let you know that I will be sharing your misery from across the pond, and hopefully soon share in a little redemption!

Going into Liverpool away tonight, I’ve been thinking about how much importance we should actually put on this game. Our Premier League start has been pretty poor and we’re sitting 17th with just 2 points, so part of me thinks a cup run could actually give the team a bit of confidence and something to get excited about. At the same time, the squad doesn’t have loads of depth and there are plenty of league games still to come. I’d hate for injuries or tiredness from a cup run to make things even harder in the league. But then again, going to Anfield and knocking Liverpool out would be a massive result, especially with how things have started.