Paul Merson hits nail on the head with what he said about Tottenham fans
Tottenham have had a season to forget as Ange Postecoglou fails to get the best out of his squad, mainly due to several injury issues.
Spurs are enduring one of their worst Premier League campaigns after losing four of their last six fixtures.
Postecoglou’s team beat Manchester United 1-0 at home on 16 February, but the performance wasn’t really an encouraging one.
The North London outfit seemingly have nothing left to play for domestically after being knocked out of the Carabao and FA Cup.
Paul Merson makes Tottenham fans plea in Europa League claim
Spurs are still alive in the Europa League and qualified automatically for the knockout stages after finishing fourth in the group stage table.
| Europa League Group Stage (2024/25) | Points |
| 1. Lazio | 19 |
| 2. Athletic Club | 19 |
| 3. Manchester United | 18 |
| 4. Tottenham | 17 |
It looks like the only realistic opportunity the North Londoners have of lifting a title in the current campaign as Postecoglou looks to end their 17-year wait for a trophy.
The likes of Lazio, Athletic Club and Manchester United are also still alive in the competition, and it will be challenging for the Lilywhites to go all the way.
Former Arsenal forward Paul Merson, now a prominent Sky Sports pundit, feels Spurs have a realistic chance of winning the Europa League but has asked fans to make concessions in the English top flight.
The 56-year-old wrote in Sportskeeda (20 February): “Tottenham should go all in on winning the Europa League. If Spurs win it, they can get in the Champions League next season.
“The fans need to understand they will have to sacrifice some games in the league for them to win the Europa League and get back to playing with the big boys in Europe.
“There are not many great teams left in the Europa League and Spurs definitely have a chance to win it. I can’t see how Man United are going to win that competition! Spurs should rest players according to the Europa League schedule and focus on winning that trophy.”
Spurs fans need to manage expectations
Spurs are 12th in the Premier League, 14 points behind fourth-place Manchester City, making a place in the top four unrealistic for them this season.
The Europa League round of 16 is about to start soon, and considering the lack of personnel at Postecoglou’s disposal, it would be understandable for them to rest players in league matches.
Winning the competition feels like the best way for the Lilywhites to get into the Champions League for the upcoming campaign.
One can’t blame the Lilywhites if they decide to take their foot off the gas in the English top flight and go all in on the European stage.
The North Londoners have Ipswich Town next at Portman Road in the league on Saturday (22 February), and it will be interesting to see how they will line up.
Postecoglou’s team still have to face the likes of Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool before the end of the campaign, which makes climbing up the table even harder.
The Australian manager will take a massive risk if he solely focuses on the Europa League, but winning the competition will make him a historic figure.
It feels like a gamble worth taking for the North London outfit.