Paul Merson has delivered a blunt warning to Ange Postecoglou, suggesting that the relentless attacking style which brought the Australian success at Celtic is unlikely to succeed in the Premier League, particularly against elite opposition.
Merson highlighted that Postecoglou can no longer rely on having the best players in the league as he did in Scotland, where Celtic dominated sides like Kilmarnock and St Mirren.
The former Arsenal midfielder’s comments come after Tottenham’s capitulation at home to Chelsea, where Spurs squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2.
The defeat has left Postecoglou under pressure ahead of a crucial Europa League clash against Rangers at Ibrox on Thursday.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson criticised Spurs’ naïve approach, warning that Postecoglou’s tactics need adapting for the Premier League.
“I don’t want to have a go because I like Ange and I like watching Tottenham play,” he said.
“But I’m watching the game and it’s like: ‘We’re 2-0 up against Chelsea, let’s just keep on going.’ It’s like they’re playing against Kilmarnock or St Mirren and ‘I’m the Celtic manager and I’ve got the best players.’
“I haven’t got the best players at Tottenham. I haven’t got the best players, so I have to change. I’m not Man City when I can go: ‘You have a shot, we have a shot, and we will destroy you,’ like they have over the years.
“You’ve got to be cute. You’ve got to say: ‘Right, we’re 2-0 up here. Sit back and let’s counter-attack.’ Solanke was ruining the centre-halves, holding it up and bringing people in. They couldn’t live with him.
“But then they were charging all over the place, and all of a sudden Lavia, the ball comes in and he just puts it round the corner to Enzo Fernandez or Palmer, and then they’re running at defenders. It’s so naïve.”
Merson was joined by Jamie Carragher, who echoed the sentiment and urged Postecoglou to show tactical flexibility to survive in the Premier League.
Carragher warned: “I wake up every morning and want to go out with shorts and T-shirt, but you can’t. Sometimes you need to put a coat on. He needs to change in some situations, and if he doesn’t, he won’t be here next season.”
The defeat has sparked debate about whether Postecoglou’s philosophy needs to evolve, with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy unlikely to tolerate continued tactical stubbornness if results don’t improve.