Paul Merson gives honest verdict on what would happen if Erling Haaland played for Tottenham right now

Tottenham Hotspur faced their second defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Arsenal in the North London derby.

Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal from a corner kick, sealing the victory for the Gunners.

Despite dominating possession throughout the match, Tottenham once again struggled to find the back of the net, a recurring issue this season.

This lack of finishing ability has been a concern for Tottenham so far. While they control games, they have been unable to convert their dominance into goals, highlighting a clear need for improvement in front of goal.

Paul Merson, a well-known football pundit, offered his opinion on the situation, suggesting that even a prolific striker like Erling Haaland would struggle to score 20 goals with the current level of service provided by Tottenham’s midfield and wingers.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said that Tottenham would do exceptionally well to secure a top-four finish this season.

He acknowledged that this would be a major achievement for the team, given their current form and the lack of cutting edge in their attack.

Merson further elaborated by pointing out that even a striker of Haaland’s caliber would face difficulties at Tottenham unless the quality of crossing and service improved significantly.

According to Merson, “You can only get 20 odd goals if the crossing improves. If the crossing doesn’t improve, you can put Haaland up there, and he won’t get 20.”

This comment underlines the fundamental issue Tottenham are facing – a lack of creativity and effective service to their strikers.

Currently, Dominic Solanke, who was signed for £65 million from Bournemouth, has yet to score for Tottenham, adding pressure to an already misfiring attack.

Ange Postecoglou, the Tottenham manager, has admitted that the team must improve their composure in front of goal.

In a post-match interview with Football London, Postecoglou acknowledged the need for better finishing but emphasized that it’s his job to help the team improve in this area.

He expressed confidence in his ability to guide the players toward greater efficiency in converting their chances.

“We’ve just got to keep working at it, mate. That’s my job,” Postecoglou stated. “I’ve just got to keep giving the feedback to the guys, trying to guide them in the right way to make them see that for all their dominance in the game, you need to really be clear-headed in those kinds of moments, and that’s my role to try to guide them in the right way.”

Postecoglou’s optimism reflects his belief in the squad’s ability to turn their form around, but it also highlights the challenges ahead.

While Tottenham have been impressive in maintaining possession and controlling games, their lack of a clinical edge in the final third continues to hinder their progress.

The absence of goals is not just a matter of missed opportunities but also reflects a deeper issue with the team’s ability to create high-quality chances for their forwards.

The expectation is that Solanke, as a major summer signing, will eventually find his scoring form, but Tottenham’s attacking unit as a whole needs to step up if they hope to challenge for a top-four finish.

Without consistent service from the flanks and midfield, no striker, regardless of their quality, will be able to thrive.

For now, the focus must be on improving the delivery into the box and sharpening the team’s finishing ability. As Postecoglou continues to work with the squad, it’s clear that Tottenham’s season could hinge on their ability to solve these offensive issues.

With plenty of matches still to be played, there is time for Tottenham to turn things around, but their margin for error is shrinking as the season progresses.

In summary, while Tottenham have shown promise in their style of play, their inability to score goals consistently remains their Achilles’ heel.

Even a world-class striker like Haaland would struggle in this current setup, as Paul Merson suggests, highlighting the importance of improving the quality of service from the wide areas and midfield.

Postecoglou remains committed to addressing these issues, but it remains to be seen how quickly Tottenham can adapt and improve in the coming weeks.

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