Roberto De Zerbi has reacted to an article which blamed Tottenham Hotspur fans for the team’s struggles at home this season.
One of the themes of this season in the media has been the suggestion that Spurs fans are, at least in part, responsible for the team’s struggles at home.
That was first put forward by Tim Sherwood, who suggested that the Tottenham players are struggling to deal with the supporters’ expectations at home.
Thomas Frank even suggested that those booing the side are not true Spurs fans, which did not go down well with the fan base.
Roberto De Zerbi defends ‘fantastic’ Tottenham fans after criticism about atmosphere
Just a couple of days ago, The Times’ Alyson Rudd suggested that Spurs fans have made their home stadium unwelcoming for their players.
De Zerbi has now rubbished that claim, insisting that the supporters have been fantastic in the three home games he has had as head coach.
When asked about the atmosphere against Everton, the Italian told Football.London: “Listen, they told me, I don’t know which newspaper spoke about the pressure of the fans, the problem was the fans in Tottenham. I don’t want nothing from the fans. I just want to be clear, to be honest. I’m always honest and sincere. I think in three [home] games they were fantastic, the fans.
“The stadium, incredible stadium. Before the game when we arrived with the bus it was a big, big emotion and I’m happy for them. Next season the target is to make them happier than this season for sure. I would like to compete, I don’t know for what, but stop suffering like this.”
Spurs fans now have a manager they can get behind
While one can sympathise with the players for the pressure they were under at home earlier in the season, a lot of the negativity from the stands comes down to the team’s tactics.
The reason Spurs fans could not get behind the team was that, in Frank, they had a manager who failed to convince them either with his tactics or his personality.
In De Zerbi, Tottenham now appear to have a passionate manager who understands the club’s ethos and plays football the right way.
We know that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can be an extremely intimidating venue for opposition sides when the fans are right behind the team, and hopefully that is what will continue next season.
- READ MORE: ‘One of the best right-backs in the world’ – Tottenham fans make some big Pedro Porro claims