Roberto De Zerbi bans common item from Spurs camp in desperate bid to improve nightmare start to season

Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi banned his players from using a common everyday item during a recent warm weather training camp in a bid to arrest a nightmare start to the new campaign.

Spurs return to Premier League action this evening when they host promoted Coventry City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In a scenario few would have predicted before the top flight campaign began, the Sky Blues are several places higher in the table than Spurs and have the chance to sneak into the top half of the standings should they beat De Zerbi's men by two clear goals tonight.

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Tottenham meanwhile sit rock bottom of the top flight after six games, two points from safety at this early stage of the campaign and have just three points on the board as they seek their Premier League win of the season.

Banned item from certain times of the day in Marbella

Spurs were last in action on Saturday 10 October when they travelled to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

The North London outfit were looking like they were heading for defeat after Rodrigo Bentancur's red card for headbutting Luke Shaw, which followed Bryan Mbeumo putting the hosts ahead.

But Dominic Solanke equalised in injury time but outmuscling United defender Lisandro Martinez to ensure a share of the spoils.

After the game and a gap of nine days before their next match, De Zerbi and his side flew out to Marbella in Spain for a warm weather training camp as temperatures back in the UK begin to feel autumnal.

As well as a chance to train, it provided a chance for team bonding after a huge recent summer transfer market outlay.

Jan Paul van Hecke arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £52m transfer fee, while midfielder Mateus Fernandes joined from relegated West Ham United for £85m, while Sandro Tonali departed Newcastle United in a deal which could eventually reach £100m with add-ons.

Savio joined from Manchester City for a reported £75m, while defenders Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi moved to North London on free transfers, as well as Omar Marmoush and Mykhailo Mudryk arrived on loan from City and Chelsea respectively.

'It's like all the time'

In a bid to improve the team spirit and togetherness among his players, De Zerbi said in the press conference previewing the clash against Frank Lampard's side that mobile phone were banned from being used at meal times to make sure his squad spent more quality time together rather than looking at screens.

The Italian said: "We worked on the pitch, we stayed together.

"We removed phones from breakfast, lunch and dinner to stay together, and to speak because now it's like (on the phone) all the time.

"We had two or three important meetings speaking about football and our situation (for) everyone to take responsibility. Nothing more. Some dinners just for the players, some dinners with the staff."

De Zerbi clarified that players were allowed time out together in Marbella after training and there were no 'military rules' in place, aside from the ban on phones at mealtimes.

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And the Italian explained more of the thinking behind the decision to take his squad out to Spain, which was taken with the Spurs hierarchy and something he did while in charge of French side Marseille.

He said: "As a coach, you understand you have to improve, you have to be better, you have to change the situation. You try to find all solutions.

"I already did this type of training camp with Marseille two times and I think it was very important, it was a good solution.

"I spoke with the club, with (Chief Executive) Vinai (Venkatesham), with (sporting director) Johan with the owner and together, we took the decision, but it's nothing special.

"It's just to stay together and spend more time together, especially because in pre-season we couldn't stay together. Many new players, many players came back from the World Cup.

"Three or four days together without family, putting the club at the top of their priorities, I think it's normal and good."