Postecoglou sack: Merson makes bold prediction ahead of Tottenham game v Arsenal
Paul Merson thinks Ange Postecoglou will survive the sack at Tottenham on the proviso he wins a trophy this season but expects Arsenal to win the North London derby.
Postecoglou, 59, has faced intense scrutiny at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Spurs sitting a disappointing 12th in the Premier League ahead of Wednesday’s (15 January) visit to Emirates Stadium.
However, Spurs won the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Liverpool, while they also have trophy opportunities in the FA Cup and Europa League.
Former Arsenal player Merson, writing for Sportskeeda (14 January), tipped the Gunners to win 3-1 and said Postecoglou needs a trophy to stave off the sack.
“Spurs are too up and down and I just don’t see how they can win here,” he wrote.
“A trophy would keep Ange Postecoglou in the job. If they finish eighth in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup, where they have a 1-0 advantage ahead of the semi-final second leg at Anfield, that’s still good in my opinion.
“Some top teams could finish in the top four this season and not have a trophy. And this is Spurs by the way, they have never won anything!”
Postecoglou needs success at Tottenham
There are obviously mitigating circumstances to consider as it pertains to Tottenham this season, with Spurs having been crippled at times by injuries especially to their defence.
But even accounting for that, Postecoglou’s inability to find a way to win football matches while – admirably – sticking to his principles of how the game should be played is a huge concern.
There is nothing wrong with sticking to your beliefs and playing football the way you want it to be played but, ultimately, you have to do that while still finding a way to win football matches.
It is kind of bizarre that Spurs have underperformed so badly, yet realistically they have way more chance of winning a trophy this term than their fierce North London rivals.
But you have to go back to 2008 for Spurs’ last piece of silverware and Postecoglou will know that he needs to change that if he is going to stave off questions about the sack.
In other Tottenham news, a blockbuster bid has been amid an £83million transfer reveal.
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