Former Arsenal star Paul Merson pulled no punches with his response after Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou talked up his trophy chances with the North London club
Paul Merson joked that he has a better chance of winning Strictly Come Dancing than Ange Postecoglou does of winning a trophy this season.
Tottenham boss Postecoglou responded to Spurs' derby defeat against Arsenal by claiming he always wins trophies in his second season at a club. That is true of his spells at Brisbane Roar, Yokohama F. Marinos and Celtic, but he faces a tougher task in North London.
Spurs finished fifth last season after a fast start, but suffered early exits in both domestic cup competitions. If they win a trophy this term, it would be their first since a League Cup win under Juande Ramos back in 2008.
Former Arsenal star Merson is chasing a win of his own, but one of a different kind. The 56-year-old has made his Strictly debut, and appears to fancy his chances.
"Am I going to answer the question or are you going to keep asking it?" Postecoglou said after being asked if he could end Spurs' trophy drought. "No absolutely, I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year. Nothing's changed."
"I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them," he added. However, when addressing the Australian's comments, Sky Sports pundit Merson said: "I like Ange, I like him, but I've got more chance of winning Strictly".
"There's not a lot wrong but you look where they are and where Newcastle are," he continued. "Tottenham have probably been playing better than them over the first three games and Newcastle have more points than them."
Spurs' defeat to Arsenal left them down in 13th with four points from four games. Gabriel Magalhaes scored the only goal of the game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, heading a Bukay Saka corner beyond Guglielmo Vicario.
"We dominated the game, the football was there we just conceded from a set-piece again," Spurs captain Son Heung-min said after the reverse. "We did it last season and it is really frustrating. I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100 per cent, it's a tough moment and we have to stick together.
"We are getting into the final third but the players have to take the responsibility to score. It is the hardest part of football, making the right decision and being clinical. We will bounce back strong, there is a long way to go."
Spurs are back in action in midweek, facing Coventry City in the EFL Cup. After that comes a London derby against Brentford in the league, after which Postecoglou's team begin their Europa League campaign against Qarabag.
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