Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has sent a warning to Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi after the Italian singled out Spurs’ attack and medical staff for criticism following the draw with Nottingham Forest.It has not been the ideal start for Tottenham Hotspur this season as the Lilywhites find themselves in 18th place after three games.Two defeats in their opening two games of the campaign was then followed by a 0-0 draw last time out against Nottingham Forest.And while Spurs were able to end their losing run, Saturday’s encounter saw them go without taking a single shot on target. That certainly needs to improve as Tottenham are yet to score a single goal this campaign.Speaking about his players’ efforts against Forest, De Zerbi said: “I think we played well but in the last third we have to improve. We have to take the better decisions. We have to keep more calm when we are very close to doing something important in the last third.“I remember the chance when Omar Marmoush shot at goal [in the second half], the way we had Robertson overlapping. If we take the right decision and we play with Andy Robertson then on the second post there is Kudus to score like this.“Or how many crosses went over the second post? From Mathys Tel, two times, Savio, one time. Savio, I think it’s the last decision.“The ball from Pedro Porro on Mateus Fernandes when he played with Kudus and then for the header of Dominic Solanke, Mateus was completely alone to go forward to score.”Credit: @thefrederikkejensen / InstagramPaul Merson explains why Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham comments are worryingSky Sports pundit Paul Merson has now shared his thoughts on Roberto De Zerbi’s recent comments, with the former Arsenal midfielder questioning the Spurs head coach’s decision to publicly criticise both his forwards and medical staff.Merson believes De Zerbi’s comments about the medical team dictating his substitutions should have remained private, while he also questioned why the Tottenham head coach chose to single out his forwards after a game in which Spurs created very few chances.Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: “I thought Spurs were fortunate against Nottingham Forest – if Neco Williams is a little bit braver, then Forest win. But it’s a start for them.“Roberto De Zerbi had a go at his forwards after the game. He also had a go at his medical staff for dictating his substitutions. You say that in the dressing room; don’t come out and say it. You need to keep that in-house.“That would worry me as a Spurs fan. De Zerbi does fall out with people.“I don’t know if he’s covering himself there with those comments about the medical staff, because that could be kept quiet.“He’s having a go at them – and you saw what happened with Enzo Maresca at Chelsea when he started calling out the medical team for dictating his substitutions. He left a few weeks later.“At the same time, if he’s being told to take a player off, he’s the manager. He’s in charge. If it’s not up to him how long his players get on the pitch, why shouldn’t he cover himself?“I don’t understand having a go at the forwards, though. They didn’t have 20 chances. It’s not as if the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper was man of the match. I didn’t see that at all.“It’s a long way to go for Spurs. But my problem is the mentality. You don’t come 17th two years on the trot and expect to turn it around in a New York minute.“I think people have got to be patient. Spurs shouldn’t worry about being eight points behind Arsenal – all they’ve got to worry about is who’s fifth, and how many points they’re behind fifth.“They’re not finishing ahead of Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal.”De Zerbi explains Spurs’ injury concernsSavio missed out in matchweek two against Newcastle United due to a muscle problem, while Kudus only just made his return after not playing since February.The minutes of each of these stars have to be managed in order for them not to pick up any further injuries.De Zerbi has now explained why his medical staff influenced his substitutions against Nottingham Forest, with the Tottenham head coach admitting that he was unhappy with the situation despite understanding the need to protect his players following their recent injury problems.Speaking about his medical staff influencing substitutions, De Zerbi said: “The second half, I’m sorry because the medical staff pushed to change Savinho and Udogie after 60 minutes.“[Replacements Mohammed] Kudus and [Andy] Robertson, they played very well. But two substitutions in that moment was not so good.“But now we can’t take risk to injury again. Savio is too important for us. The same Destiny. Maybe we lost some balance, some connection.“I’m not happy. But football is like this. Savio has not the best physical condition to play 90 minutes. He’s an important player for us, a crucial player. Destiny is another crucial player for us.“I think Kudus and Robertson, they played well. But, you know, to start one game like today, it’s not so easy to come in from the bench and adapt immediately.“I’m not happy when we have the plan, but it’s for my advantage, for my business, the management of the players after injuries.”READ MORE: Tottenham’s first step to building home stadium fortress starts with posh soapThe post Paul Merson warns Tottenham about worrying sign in De Zerbi’s off-pitch behaviour appeared first on Spurs Web.