Our new Head Coach endured a frustrating first outing at the helm as we fell 1-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Just one goal was enough to give the Black Cats all three points with Nordi Mukiele's drive from range taking a significant deflection off Micky van de Ven to wrong foot Antonin Kinsky and loop into the far corner of the net.

Further salt was rubbed into our wounds moments after that match-winner as skipper Cristian Romero was forced off through injury after colliding with Antonin Kinsky as he shielded the ball from Brian Brobbey.

Roberto remarked after the game that we 'suffered too much' in the second period on Wearside, but was largely encouraged by the performance, especially in the first half, where we were perhaps unlucky not to have taken the lead.

However, while naturally disappointed no to take anything from the game, he was very keen to stress that there is much more to come from the team.

And for him, how he is to impel that from the group is not so much about our changing a style of play or tactical approach, but from provoking a change in mindset from the group.

Speaking in his post-match press conference in SR5, our gaffer said, "I think we played a good game, especially in the first half, with order, with the ball, without the ball. We had three clear chances to score, one with (Dominic) Solanke, one with Richarlison, another with (Lucas) Bergvall.

“We played well, but we didn't play well enough to win the game, because in the second half we suffered too much to Sunderland, we lost 20-30 metres of the pitch. We had another important chance with Richarlison, just two minutes before conceding a goal.

Watch - Roberto De Zerbi speaks to SPURSPLAY at the Stadium of Light

“We can play better, we can do something more, in energy, in passion on the pitch, more enthusiasm. Yes, but now we are inside a difficult moment and I would like to help the players to show what they can do on the pitch, because we played a good game, but we can play much better than today.

“My job is not now to change the style of play. I did two or three things with the ball, two or three things without the ball, but the crucial part is not with the ball or without the ball. It's in our mentality to be positive, but to be positive just because we have the quality enough to win a game and when we go to win a game, we can change everything."

Next up is the visit of Roberto's former side Brighton & Hove Albion to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday - kick-off 5.30pm (UK).

Predict our result against Brighton & Hove Albion