Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that Tottenham Hotspur still "lack confidence", even as he insisted they are a good team after Spurs finally claimed their first Premier League win of the season.
The breakthrough arrived against Coventry City on Monday night, ending Tottenham's wait for a league victory this campaign.
James Maddison opened the scoring against his former club, with the midfielder’s return to the scoresheet after a long spell out injured a big boost for the North Londoners.
Jack Rudoni briefly brought Coventry level after half-time, butOmar Marmoush struck Spurs back in front.
The hosts’ nerves were settled in stoppage time as a rare Ben Davies goal made the points safe.
A first win of thePremier League season lifted Spurs off the bottom and out of the relegation places, as De Zerbi’s side leapfrogged Coventry to climb to 16th.
Speaking toBBC Sport after the match, the Tottenham head coach did not pretend that one result had solved everything. He acknowledged the side's lack of confidence, but held firm on his belief in the quality of the group.
De Zerbi reserved his strongest praise for the character his players showed against Coventry, hailing the spirit and attitude of his side as they got over the line.
"I am delighted for the result, the attitude, the spirit and the reaction after the goal we conceded. Honestly we did not play so well like the last games. But now for our responsibility they deserve credit as they defended very well and compact.
"When we went outside from [Mohammed] Kudus and [Andrew] Robertson we didn't push the ball with the right speed. We were too predictable maybe playing three at the back. We played three at the back for injury reasons, first of all.
"We play with Kudus right wing and Robertson left wing and with three number 10s with different characteristics. We scored two goals with these players but we can't forget [Dominic] Solanke as he played very well.
"Now we have to understand we are able to win because after two or three seasons like this, the mental aspect is crucial. We have to thank the fans, especially in the last part of the game they were fantastic, they have suffered a lot. We have to push, we have to improve the quality of the play for sure but we are a good team, a very good team."