Tottenham's destiny in their own hands as opportunity knocks in relegation scrap

Roberto De Zerbi has had clear impact but needs help from players to make rosy outlook a reality

A week has passed since Tottenham last played, yet the emotional rollercoaster of this tightest of relegation battles has shown no signs of relenting as we head into the final five games of the season.

Over the last seven days, Spurs’ supporters have lurched to and fro before eventually landing back right where they started - two points from safety and without a league win this calendar year.

Georginio Rutter’s stoppage-time equaliser, which came a matter of hours after Leeds had put three past Wolves , felt like a death knell for Spurs’ survival hopes as players sank to the ground in despair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last Saturday.

There was then no respite on Sunday, as Nottingham Forest came from behind in style to seal a 4-1 win over Burnley and move five points clear of the bottom three.

A win for West Ham away to Crystal Palace on Monday evening, and even the most optimistic of Spurs supporters would have begun to fear the worst.

Tottenham stars wore their hearts on their sleeves after Georginio Rutter struck late to nick a draw for Brighton last time out

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The Hammers, though, were unable to seize their opportunity as they were held to a goalless draw on a frustrating evening at Selhurst Park.

Opportunity knocks for Tottenham, but the question remains: will they be able to take it?

With Leeds putting more distance between themselves and the drop with a 2-2 draw away at Bournemouth on Wednesday, and Forest unbeaten in their last eight games after trouncing Sunderland last night, it looks increasingly like it will be a straight shootout for survival between Spurs and West Ham.

Both sides kick off at the same time this afternoon, with Spurs travelling to Wolves and West Ham hosting Everton, in what could prove a pivotal couple of hours for the two clubs.

“Not, maybe. For sure, what we have done until now is not enough,” De Zerbi admitted in his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.

Roberto De Zerbi needs his squad to deliver results as the relegation battle goes down to the wire

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“I don't want to put too much pressure, but we have to know the situation. We can't forget the table. We can't forget we need a win.”

When Spurs met Wolves in September, they were third in the Premier League table. Now, they are third from bottom and favourites to join Wolves and Burnley in confirming their relegation to the Championship.

Spurs could match their longest run without a top-flight win if they fail to beat Wolves, and De Zerbi knows that three points will not spell the end for their relegation troubles, even if he was encouraged by their performance against an in-form Brighton side last weekend.

“If we win in Wolverhampton, it's not finished yet. There are four other games, but I think now we deserve to win a game. Also, with Brighton, I knew before the game that Brighton was one of the best teams in this moment, actually, in this moment in the Premier League .

“After the Chelsea (vs Brighton) game, everyone understood, and we played a very good game, and we deserve to win.”

De Zerbi, who is currently staying at the club’s Hotspur Way training ground, is working day and night to turn things around.

He lived and breathed every kick against Brighton and insists he is “very happy” with the support he has received from players and staff since arriving at the club.

Roberto De Zerbi lived and breathed every kick against Brighton

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“I am very happy to work here because the part of the staff I found when I came is special, as a guy, as a professional, and the players the same.

“I found good players, good guys, serious players, and they follow me. They believe in my words because I am able to recognise the eyes of the players.

“We are suffering, they are suffering because it is not easy to play in Tottenham in this condition of the table, but I said they have to be stronger and they have to live to win a game.

“We have to live every part of the day waiting for a win and preparing for a win because I think with a win we can change this part of the season.”

One win remains the aim, the catalyst that De Zerbi believes can steer Spurs to safety, but belief is slowly seeping away with every passing game.

This weekend, more than any other, Spurs must find the will to win. De Zerbi’s optimism can only go so far as the reality of relegation draws closer.