Former Premier League forward Troy Deeney has slammed Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi after the manager asked for more time for his players to gel following Spurs’ difficult start to the Premier League season.It certainly has not been the sort of start many would have envisioned Tottenham Hotspur making this Premier League season, with many pundits predicting Spurs to manage a top-six finish this campaign.After three games, the Lilywhites find themselves down in 18th place in the Premier League table as they remain winless in the English top flight.However, Spurs showed some sign of improvement last time out against Nottingham Forest as they ended a run of two defeats in a row with a draw at the City Ground.Following the draw against Forest, De Zerbi did hint that his side needs more time to get into a rhythm. He said: “We bought very, very good players but you can’t just build the team with the names like in Football Manager.“We are disappointed for the result but for the performance very happy. Considering we started to work together last Thursday for the first time, for the first day.“We have to improve in every part of football, organisation with and without the ball. Even today I thought we defended very well.“We have to work because I think we played very well with the ball, we found the solution. I think we can be much better in the final third.”Credit: @thatfootballphotog / InstagramTroy Deeney takes aim at Tottenham and Roberto De ZerbiTottenham’s slow start to the Premier League season has already got the attention of former Premier League forward, now turned pundit, Troy Deeney.Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Watford man questioned the explanations being given for Tottenham’s difficult start, while also pointing to Roberto De Zerbi’s call for more time.Deeney was particularly critical of the suggestion that the manager has only recently had the opportunity to work with his players, arguing that Tottenham have had more time to prepare and strengthen their squad.He said: “This whole ‘we’ve only been working together since Thursday’, not true is it? Because you were in the back end of last year, so you’ve had all of Pre-season, you’ve added pieces along the way, you’ve had Tonali who didn’t even go to the World Cup, what’s his excuse for him still playing bad?“It’s already excuse-laden; I think that’s what Spurs do, they make excuses.”😳 "They're all over the place! I don't understand the plan."Troy Deeney hits out at Spurs for their transfer window and how they dealt with the Ndiaye transfer situation📺 Watch the full episode on talkSPORT's YouTube channel! pic.twitter.com/2TLncQ0yWB— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) September 4, 2026De Zerbi’s comments draw criticism from punditsDe Zerbi’s comments following games seem not to be going down well with pundits, with Paul Merson also critical of the Tottenham boss’ criticism of his attackers and medical staff. Merson believes that De Zerbi should keep criticism in-house instead of voicing it to the media.De Zerbi’s outrightness, while welcomed by fans, has also caused a bit of a breakdown in his relationship with Richarlison, who did not seem to take the manager’s comments that he wanted out of the club well. It is still early days for Tottenham, but their last three games have seen them make improvements as they continue to form a bond on the pitch. Up next is a clash against Everton, but the pressure is already on Spurs to secure a victory.READ MORE: Five Tottenham legends we want to see inducted into the Hall of Fame nextThe post ‘Tottenham make excuses’ – Troy Deeney slams De Zerbi for ‘not true’ statement appeared first on Spurs Web.