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“Paul Merson Drops Shocking Claim About Spurs’ Weakness Under Pressure. But his London Derby prediction against West Ham will surprise you…
Paul Merson believes that Tottenham’s players struggle to handle pressure, but he has offered an optimistic prediction for the upcoming London derby on Saturday.
**Spurs Still Recovering**
While the international break may have given Ange Postecoglou and the Tottenham squad a chance to reflect on their second-half performance at the Amex Stadium, it’s clear they are still feeling the effects of that match. The Australian coach expressed disappointment in his players’ lack of intensity and desire against Brighton, but he remains confident in his ability to address the team’s issues (Football.London).
**Merson on Postecoglou’s Challenge**
Merson noted that there is ample evidence showing this Spurs side lacks the mental resilience needed in tough situations, claiming many players tend to shy away when challenges arise. He described this as a “huge problem” that Postecoglou needs to address.
In his comments to Sportskeeda ahead of Saturday’s derby, Merson stated, “This is a crucial match given the intense rivalry between the teams. Tottenham played well for 45 minutes against Brighton before reverting to their familiar pattern during the 3-2 loss. The ‘Spursy’ label continues to haunt them!
“We’ve seen this before, such as in the match against Leicester City. When they’re 2-0 up and in control, everything seems fine. But once they concede, players stop supporting each other. This trend is concerning and poses a significant challenge for Ange Postecoglou.
“Spurs crumble too easily under pressure. It’s only October, and we’ve witnessed this twice already. They likely fielded their best team against Brighton, and I don’t see many issues with that lineup. When things are going well, players are eager to get involved, but when adversity strikes, they tend to shy away from the ball. That’s the problem.”
**Merson’s Score Prediction**
Despite his concerns, Merson predicts that Tottenham will return to winning ways at home against West Ham, though he expects a close match.
He added, “West Ham hasn’t met expectations yet. Once Julen Lopetegui identifies his best XI, they should start performing better, but I still question whether he knows what that is. They secured a significant win over Ipswich Town last time, but the international break may have interrupted their momentum.
“West Ham could revert to their earlier struggles, and with the break providing some time to regroup for Tottenham, I’m backing Spurs to win.”
**Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 West Ham.**
