Tottenham's striker shortage exposed in goalless draw at Forest

Tottenham Hotspur’s expensive rebuild has yet to produce a goal. A 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest exposed the club’s shortage of proven strikers and gave Spurs their first Premier League point without ending their wait for a league goal.

Tottenham spent more than £300 million during the rebuild, but a frustrating transfer deadline left them without Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye, who joined Manchester City. Last season’s leading scorer, Richarlison, has also been left out of the club’s Premier League squad.

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I think we played well but in the last third we have to improve.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi has received strong backing in the transfer market, particularly for attacking midfielders and wingers. But the attack looked short of force at the City Ground. Savio, one of the arrivals from Manchester City alongside Omar Marmoush, was substituted after failing to make an impression. Dominic Solanke, Tottenham’s only recognized striker, came on late and went close, while Marmoush dragged a first-half chance wide.

The clean sheet offered some relief after defeats by Brentford and Newcastle United. Yet Tottenham failed to put goalkeeper Matz Sels to work, registering no shot on target for the first time in a Premier League match since April 2022. De Zerbi said the team could have scored three or four goals, arguing that poor decisions had prevented them from finishing chances.

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We could have scored three or four goals today because if you take the wrong decision, you don’t score. But for me it’s a chance to score.

“I think we played well but in the last third we have to improve,” De Zerbi told reporters. He backed Marmoush and Solanke to score regularly, saying Marmoush had the qualities to reach 12 or 15 goals if he improved, while Solanke would benefit from returning to peak fitness.

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He’s not ready yet. He’s working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work.

Tottenham also brought in Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk on a season-long loan from Chelsea. He came off the bench but made little impact. “He’s not ready yet. He’s working to reach the best physical condition. He needs time, he needs work,” De Zerbi said.

Forest felt frustration of their own after Neco Williams bundled the ball into the net following chaotic defending. Referee Craig Pawson disallowed the goal after a VAR review concluded the ball had struck Williams’ arm as he dived toward the goal line. Forest manager Oliver Glasner said the decision was not clear and obvious.

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It’s not clear and obvious. You needed four different camera angles and then you guessed that he pro...