LONDON — Following a challenging start to the season, Tottenham Hotspur’s newly appointed captain, Micky van de Ven, urges everyone to take a moment to breathe and recognize the positives.
Despite losing their first two Premier League matches, with a scoreline of five goals conceded and none scored, Van de Ven saw promising signs during their home loss to Newcastle United on Saturday.
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The Dutch center back is optimistic about the direction the team is heading under manager Roberto De Zerbi as they adapt to a new style of play with many new players joining the squad.
“We’ve been playing a lot of ball-oriented football, and I believe we possess a great deal of quality,” Van de Ven remarked. “As you mentioned, there were indeed some glimpses of that quality on display. There are many positives to build on, and we need to keep improving and working hard.”
Lingering Effects of Near-Relegation
Regardless of the effort being put in, Spurs are still grappling with the emotional aftermath of narrowly avoiding relegation last season. The shadow of that experience lingers.
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After going 1-0 down in the second half against Newcastle, the team appeared to falter, with a palpable sense of resignation among both fans and players. This atmosphere is difficult to shake off.
“I think we created a lot of chances and maintained possession, but after their goal, our mood seemed to dip,” Van de Ven acknowledged. “That’s definitely an area for us to work on. While there are positives to take from the game, there are also numerous aspects we need to improve.”
Integrating New Signings Takes Time
With eight new signings adapting to life at Spurs, Van de Ven believes improvements will undoubtedly come.
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He praised the talent of new forward Omar Marmoush but emphasized that it will take time for the team to gel.
However, he is cautious not to use this transition period as an excuse for their sluggish start to the season.
“With so many new players coming in, dynamics are changing, and we all need to adjust to each other on the pitch,” Van de Ven noted. “While it’s not an excuse for our recent results, it is something we need to address. We have to get to know each other better, and that will likely take some time. But our priority is to do it as quickly as possible to ensure we play at our best.”
Having participated in the World Cup with the Netherlands this summer, Van de Ven missed much of Spurs’ preseason and recently overcame a knee issue.
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His influence in central defense will be vital for the team, and De Zerbi is counting on the 25-year-old Dutchman, who signed a new long-term contract this summer, to step up and lead the squad.
Home Form and Building on Moments of “Unbelievable Football” are Key
While there are some encouraging signs in their play, Spurs have struggled significantly at home, winning only three of their last 23 league matches.
How challenging is it to shift that mindset?
“It’s extremely frustrating because, at home, you want to win every match. We constantly feel the support of our fans, and it feels like we’ve let them down,” Van de Ven expressed. “We need to change that, as visiting teams should dread playing here, knowing it will be a tough game. We can turn this around quickly, including our away performances. Consistency is crucial, and when we achieve that, the results will follow.”
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Despite a difficult start this season and the alarm bells ringing due to last year’s struggles, the central message from De Zerbi and Van de Ven post-match was clear: there’s no need to panic.
“There are plenty of games left in the season, and I believe there are many positive takeaways from today’s game. We must remain calm,” Van de Ven stated. “As previously mentioned, we showcased moments of incredible football, and now it’s crucial to ensure we turn those glimpses into positive results.”