Jamie Carragher makes damning prediction as Liverpool icon calls team 'awful'

Jamie Carragher believes Tottenham will be relegated after Roberto De Zerbi's first game in charge ended in a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, with Spurs two points from safety

Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion(Image: Sky Sports)

Jamie Carragher reckons that "awful" Tottenham is heading for the drop following Roberto De Zerbi's opening match in charge, which ended in disappointment.

Spurs succumbed to a lackluster 1-0 defeat at Sunderland during the team's maiden outing since Igor Tudor's departure. Stuck in the relegation mire, Tottenham finds itself two points adrift of safety with just six fixtures to go, as West Ham and Nottingham Forest both secured vital points at the weekend.

And Liverpool legend Carragher doesn't fancy De Zerbi, handed a five-year contract, to engineer an escape. "Normally, a new manager comes in, and you say, 'It's his first game, that (their style of play) has to go out the window,'" Carragher said on Sky Sports.

"It had to go out the window for Igor Tudor, and it's the same for Roberto de Zerbi because of where they find themselves.

"I can't believe it. Tottenham look like they're going to go down. The other teams have something going for them. One point in 24. You look at fixtures, you think that's a good game for Tottenham, but they're awful.

"Do you think Tottenham will go to Wolves, bottom of the league, and win? No chance."

Tottenham lost at Sunderland on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)

His harsh assessment laid bare the scale of Spurs' battle to stave off a first relegation since 1977.

De Zerbi's outfit will host Brighton, Leeds and Everton while making trips to Wolves, Aston Villa and Chelsea before the campaign concludes.

Tottenham dropped into the relegation zone on Friday following West Ham's commanding 4-0 victory over Wolves.

Meanwhile, Forest edged closer to Premier League survival with a 1-1 draw against Villa at home, maintaining its position above West Ham in 16th spot.

Reflecting on the defeat, De Zerbi commented: "I think we played a good game, not enough to win, but we didn't deserve to lose. We have to accept and move on.

"We played a good game. We have enough quality to come out from this difficult moment. I'm sorry for the result, I'm sorry for the [Cristian] Romero injury, and I hope for us, and for him, that it is not important. We had three or four clear chances to score.

"We can be better, especially to find the play between the lines. We made two or three mistakes in the last 15 meters and we have to move on into the next game. I spoke with the players five minutes ago, and I said that I understand it has been a very tough season.

"It is a tough moment for everyone and we have to react with the right spirit. The quality of the players are amazing."