David Ginola has described Tottenham's start to the season as "not acceptable" and questioned whether the players respect Roberto De Zerbi.

Going into Monday's must-win Premier League game against Coventry City, Spurs sit rock bottom, having picked up just three points from their opening six matches. They have scored just three goals in the process, the second-lowest tally at this stage in a season in their entire history.

Although there was some improvement in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United last weekend, Tottenham's winless start to the season still extended and they remained rooted inside the relegation zone.

With that, pressure has been starting to build on De Zerbi's future despite a positive start to life in north London at the end of last season. Although he would give the Italian some time to turn it around, Tottenham cult hero Ginola has warned that he isn't sure the players respect the head coach and understand what they are being told.

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Speaking to football.london, Ginola said: "I hope for him. I followed him when he was manager at Marseille. He's got quality. There's no doubt about it. But the players need to follow. The words he's saying in the dressing room, the things he's trying to put on the pitch tactically, it's very important.

"Most of all, the energy you put in the game, in training. What you're doing in training, you get it in the game on a Saturday. I don't know what the situation is right now in the dressing room.

"Does he get the respect from the players? Do the players listen to what he's saying? I'm not sure about that. This is a key thing for Spurs. De Zerbi needs to be understood by the players. He needs to put pressure on the players for the importance of you playing for Spurs. You need to put more on the football pitch week in, week out. It's vital. To see the table like that with no wins, zero wins, it's not acceptable.

"I think everyone is responsible, starting with the manager. But most of all, the players. If they respect themselves, they need to do more. They need to add more.

"Maybe it's going to happen. Starting from tonight, I think against Coventry, this is a different attitude you need to show. You need to show more respect for the fans, for the club, and as a player, give more than you gave since the beginning of the season."

Ginola added: "De Zerbi is under massive pressure but a different one. Spurs are bottom. They are fighting for something that wasn't expected at the beginning of the season.

"I guess it's tough. It's tough to be a manager these days. It's tough to see the team struggling that much. This is not the place you want to see Spurs. It's not a position you want to see, scoring only three goals."

When Ginola signed for Tottenham in 1997, he was told to entertain the Spurs faithful with his flair, magical touch and flamboyant style. He managed to do that, as well as enjoying his football and winning matches.

"I remember when I signed for Spurs, people mentioned it. They mentioned flair game and flair players. The way you play doesn't matter if you don't win but at least you entertain," Ginola continued.

"I think people need to concentrate more about entertaining because if you think more about enjoying yourself on the football pitch, you will see the result differently at the end. It seems to me that the players need to enjoy their job more and all together making sure that in the dressing room, this is where you win games.

"All together, spending time together, having fun together, on and off the training ground and making sure that you are doing your best for the club. Spurs doesn't deserve this position. They deserve more respect."

Next up for Spurs is the Monday Night Football home game against Coventry. A win for De Zerbi's side would drag them outside the drop zone and move above Sunderland, Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Coventry.

David Ginola was speaking in association with BOYLE Sports as the face of Squad Builder. 18+ BeGambleAware