Paul Gascoigne reveals he knew Tottenham would struggle after Hotspur Way visit

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Former Tottenham star Paul Gascoigne has issued a warning to Spurs players, urging them to step up after the club’s worst-ever Premier League start.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi already has plenty of work on his hands following Spurs’ poor start to the Premier League season.

Tottenham have yet to win a match after five games in the English top flight and sit bottom of the table after their latest 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Their poor start to the 2026-27 season marks the worst opening to a Premier League campaign in the club’s history, leaving De Zerbi and his players with much to do if they are to turn their fortunes around.

Comparison: Tottenham’s worst starts to a league season

Paul Gascoigne warns Tottenham over Premier League struggles

Paul Gascoigne, who represented Tottenham from 1988 to 1992, has revealed he saw Spurs’ struggles coming.

Spurs were dragged into a relegation battle last season, requiring two managerial changes to secure survival after Thomas Frank’s summer 2025 appointment failed.

Roberto De Zerbi ultimately made the difference, stepping in after Igor Tudor – who holds the worst win percentage of any Spurs boss to date.

Yet De Zerbi already finds himself under pressure, though Gascoigne remains unsurprised by the struggles, having witnessed similar issues unfold last season and has now urged the Tottenham players to buck up following their poor start.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Last season was incredible; I went to their training ground, it was unbelievable. And straight away in my head, I thought, ‘They are going to struggle.’

“Because everything is on a plate for them. When I played, the stuff and equipment we had… Everything is on a plate for them, but they have got to buck their ideas up.

“The fans were fantastic when I was there, so they have got to do better this season.”

Spurs must improve home form to avoid relegation

Gascoigne’s assessment is difficult to argue with, and Tottenham must improve quickly if they are to change the course of their season.

Spurs fans have been left frustrated by their side’s displays, particularly at home, with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium far from a fortress.

The defeat to Aston Villa last weekend marked Tottenham’s 22nd home loss since the start of the 2024-25 season.

Such form must improve if Spurs are to compete at the other end of the table. Failure to do so would risk relegation after consecutive 17th-place finishes in the last two seasons.

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