Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has now issued a warning to Ange Postecoglou after what he has seen at Tottenham Hotspur.
The Lilywhites are not playing this weekend after being denied the opportunity to bounce back instantly from their heavy defeat against Newcastle United last weekend.
Ange Postecoglou‘s side were scheduled to play Manchester City this weekend but their FA Cup semi-final has seen the game rearranged.
This is the second heavy defeat in recent weeks for Tottenham where they have had to wait weeks before taking back to the pitch.
It was the same story following the defeat against Fulham where the international break followed.
The race for the top four has been blown wide open after Spurs’ defeat on Tyneside last Saturday with Aston Villa capitalising on Tottenham’s slip up.
A week on from the result against Newcastle, Merson has delivered some strong comments on what he thinks has to change at Tottenham next season.
Spurs are considerably better off than they were last season, but it is apparent Merson still thinks Postecoglou has work to do.
What Paul Merson has now said about Ange Postecoglou
Last season really was one to forget for the Lilywhites under the watch of Antonio Conte with Spurs ending the term in eighth spot.
No European football and their record goalscorer leaving in Harry Kane offered Daniel Levy with a huge summer to navigate.
And yet Spurs have surpassed the expectations of many by firing themselves right into the mix for Champions League qualification.
It now looks like fifth place will no qualify through UEFA’s coefficient ranking but even Europa League football would represent progression.
Although Spurs have shown development under Postecoglou this season, they have seen some games pass them by recently.
And speaking on Sky Sports earlier today, Merson has suggested there is still something he wants to see change at Tottenham.
“I like the manager, don’t get me wrong, I really do like the manager at Tottenham, and I like the way they play, I don’t know if they will be able to carry that next season,” he said.
“I think this season he has been given a free pass, the fans are all, great this, great this, better than what we have been watching, they won’t have that next season. They won’t have that keep on getting beat, being a lorry load of points behind Arsenal again.
“It will have to change next season, you can’t keep on playing gung-ho football. It’s great for people like me to watch. I like watching Tottenham play, it’s great to watch. If you are a Tottenham fan, it’s going to take its toll. They ain’t going to have that come next season, in my opinion, and I know it’s better than what they had.”
Ange Postecoglou still needs time to implement his philosophy
Of course there have been some frustrating results this season, but it has to be remembered Tottenham are just months into a long-term project.
Did the likes of Jurgen Klopp win the league in his first season at Liverpool? No.
Postecoglou is still working with a number of inherited players from the old regime and has dealt with an injury crisis which is clearly still having an effect on the likes of James Maddison.
It has to be emphasised how early on Spurs are in their spell under Postecoglou and there will be more to come from Spurs after another summer of signings and work under the Australian.