Tottenham in relegation zone: Jamie Redknapp questions if Spurs have the matchwinners to stay in the Premier League

Tottenham are now in the relegation zone after West Ham beat Wolves 4-0; Roberto De Zerbi's side have seven matches to save their season, starting with a testing trip on Sunday; Sunderland vs Spurs takes place with kick-off at 2pm.

Jamie Redknapp has questioned whether Tottenham Hotspur have the matchwinners to stay in the Premier League after the club dropped into the relegation zone - and admits the decision to hire Roberto De Zerbi is a "big risk".

West Ham's crushing 4-0 win over bottom club Wolves has lifted them two points clear of Spurs, who are in the bottom three - outside of the opening three weeks of the season - for the first time since January 17, 2009. Spurs have seven matches to save their season - starting with Sunday's trip to Sunderland, with only a win able to take them out of the relegation zone of the bottom three.

But Redknapp has questioned whether Spurs have players like Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville - who have guided West Ham on a strong run of form in the Premier League - who can get them out of trouble. "You need matchwinners in your team, who's going to win a game by the scruff of the neck?" said Redknapp, speaking after the West Ham result. "When I look at the Tottenham team: where's your matchwinner? Who's going to win you the game?

"When I look at Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, they have moments - that's the important thing. And that's now put an almighty pressure on Tottenham Hotspur, who have to go and beat Sunderland in their next game. That's not an easy fixture.

"Anything can happen. There will still be twists and turns. West Ham have only got to lose their next game at Crystal Palace next week and they're right back in it.

"It's very difficult to predict. But you need calm heads and what West Ham did today: look a threat from set pieces, a real threat from your best players - then you give yourself a real chance."

Redknapp even went as far to say that West Ham have a centre-back pairing in Axel Disasi and Konstantinos Mavropanos which is better than Spurs' best options in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, when it comes to the relegation fight. "Mavropanos and Disasi look a real partnership. They are the sort you want in a relegation fight," he added.

"And even though they are better players: I'm not sure those two centre-backs at Tottenham are. They think they're too good for a relegation fight. Romero's saying: I've won the World Cup and now we're in the bottom three.

"What they're going to be doing under De Zerbi is he'll be asking to play out from the back, take risks in your six-yard box. What West Ham know is their limitations, they don't take too many risks. Nottingham Forest and Leeds are like that as well.

"This is not the time to be thinking you're a better player than what you are. This is the time to play to your maximum, show your desire, head it and tackle.

"You need moments from top players, but this is a time for cool heads. That's what West Ham have shown here."

Redknapp also believes hiring former Brighton manager De Zerbi - famed for his bold, possession-based football - is a huge risk for Spurs given their current predicament.

Asked before the West Ham result if De Zerbi's arrival will change the survival fight, Redknapp replied: "I don't know the answer to that. Is he a great coach? Absolutely.

"But the detail and everything he plays with, I remember the Brighton days and the way he played out from the back - if he starts asking Tottenham players to do that, who are devoid of any confidence whatsoever, I think that's a huge risk right now.

"He just needs to find a way to win, find his best XI, he has to find a way to show aggression and desire which has been sorely missing.

"They have to play with more energy, if they do, they have a chance of staying up. But if you ask too much of the players and put them into difficult decisions they can't handle, it's not going to go well.

"To implement that kind of football, you may need a pre-season or even six months. It doesn't normally work in one week.

"I know this window of the players being away on international break has worked quite well, but for me it doesn't change that much just yet. They have to go to a tough place at the Stadium of Light and get a result."

The situation now facing Tottenham Hotspur is one that few associated with the club at the beginning of the campaign. Traditionally considered part of the Premier League’s upper tier, Spurs have found themselves drawn into a survival battle that demands a different kind of resilience, both mentally and tactically. The shift from competing for European places to fighting relegation has exposed structural weaknesses that had previously been masked by individual brilliance or short bursts of form.

At the heart of the current debate lies the question raised by Jamie Redknapp: whether Tottenham possess the kind of decisive individuals capable of altering the course of matches under pressure. In high-stakes moments, teams often rely on players who can produce something unexpected, whether through a moment of technical quality or sheer determination. West Ham’s recent performances, highlighted by the contributions of Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, offer a contrast that has only intensified scrutiny on Spurs’ squad.

Tottenham’s attacking unit, while talented on paper, has struggled to translate potential into consistent output. The lack of a reliable focal point in crucial moments has contributed to a sense of uncertainty, particularly when matches become tightly contested. Without a clear source of goals or inspiration, the burden has been distributed across the team, often leading to hesitation rather than decisive action.

The defensive concerns outlined by Redknapp further complicate the picture. The comparison between West Ham’s central defensive pairing and Tottenham’s options underscores a broader issue of mentality. In relegation battles, attributes such as concentration, physical commitment, and positional discipline often take precedence over technical flair. The suggestion that Spurs’ defenders may not be fully attuned to the demands of such a fight raises questions about adaptability within the squad.

Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival introduces another layer of complexity. Known for his commitment to possession-based football and structured build-up play, the Italian coach represents a clear philosophical direction. However, the timing of his appointment has prompted debate about whether such an approach can be effectively implemented in the midst of a relegation struggle. The balance between maintaining a long-term vision and addressing immediate concerns will be central to his early tenure.

The challenge facing De Zerbi is not simply tactical but psychological. A team lacking confidence is less likely to execute intricate patterns of play, particularly under pressure from opponents who are equally motivated to secure points. Simplifying the game, at least in the short term, may be necessary to restore belief and establish a foundation upon which more complex ideas can later be built.

The upcoming fixture against Sunderland assumes heightened importance in this context. Away matches in such circumstances often test a team’s character, requiring a combination of discipline and opportunism. For Tottenham, the objective is clear: secure a result that can serve as a turning point, both in terms of points and morale. Failure to do so would only deepen the sense of urgency surrounding the remaining fixtures.

Beyond the immediate concerns, the broader implications of Tottenham’s predicament extend to the club’s strategic direction. Recruitment decisions, squad composition, and managerial appointments all come under scrutiny when results falter. The current situation may prompt a reassessment of priorities, particularly in terms of building a team capable of balancing technical quality with the physical and mental demands of the Premier League.

West Ham’s contrasting trajectory provides a useful reference point. Their ability to maximize the strengths of their key players while maintaining a pragmatic approach has allowed them to navigate similar challenges more effectively. The emphasis on set pieces, defensive organization, and targeted attacking play reflects a clarity of purpose that Tottenham have yet to consistently demonstrate.

As the season approaches its phase, the margin for error continues to shrink. Each match carries increased significance, not only in terms of points but also in shaping momentum. For Tottenham, the path to survival will likely depend on their ability to combine individual moments of quality with a collective commitment to the fundamentals of the game.

The discourse surrounding matchwinners, tactical identity, and managerial influence ultimately converges on a single objective: remaining in the Premier League. Achieving this will require a recalibration of expectations and an acceptance of the realities of the current situation. Whether through a shift in approach, a resurgence in form, or a combination of both, Tottenham must find a way to respond to the challenges that lie ahead.

In this evolving narrative, the voices of analysts such as Jamie Redknapp serve to articulate the concerns and uncertainties that accompany such a dramatic shift in fortunes. Their observations, grounded in experience, highlight the fine margins that define success and failure at this level. For Tottenham, the coming weeks will determine not only their position in the table but also the direction of the club in the seasons to come.