Roberto De Zerbi bans Tottenham players from key item in bid to turn form around

Roberto De Zerbi banned Tottenham players from using their phones during team meals at their Marbella training camp.

Spurs travelled to the Spanish coastal city after their 1-1 draw away at Manchester United in a bid to strengthen squad harmony.

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The north Londoners are winless and bottom of the Premier League ahead of their clash with Coventry City tonight, live on talkSPORT.

Victory would take them out of the bottom three, but a draw or loss add to the pressure on head coach De Zerbi with seven games played.

During his pre-match press conference, the Italian revealed his tactic to improve the squad’s togetherness around the table in Marbella.

De Zerbi bans phones from Spurs meals

“We worked on the pitch, we stayed together,” he said. “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.”

On the players being allowed out together after training, he replied: “Yes. The players, like the staff, they went with freedom.

“No military rules. I love freedom.”

De Zerbi added: “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 Vinai (Venkatesham, CEO), with Johan (Lange, sporting director) with the owner and together, we took the decision, but it’s nothing special.

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“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.”

Spurs will arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to face Coventry later with a massive attacking boost.

Dejan Kulusevski is set to feature on the bench after recovering from a long-term knee injury.

The Sweden international has not played for Spurs since a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace 526 days ago.

However, Savio and Lucas Bergvall will not feature, whilst Pedro Porro is also sidelined with injury.