Paul Merson gives his thoughts on Tottenham Hotspur’s predicament.
Paul Merson has told SkySports he believes Tottenham Hotspur are badly missing Toby Alderweireld.
Spurs have lost two of their last three games and drawn the other, with Alderweireld missing all three.
Merson believes it is mounting evidence that the Belgian is the world’s best defender.
He said: “A bit of poor play has crept into Tottenham, especially defensively, which I haven’t seen before.
“They’re missing Toby Alderweireld, who is the best centre-back in the world.”
Tottenham’s form has seen them slump down to seventh place, even overtaken by Sean Dyche’s Burnley.
Merson says head coach Mauricio Pochettino should not be above criticism, and questioned his recent substitutions in the loss at Arsenal a fortnight ago.
He added: “I don’t think Mauricio Pochettino has helped. In the north London derby, they were still in the game against Arsenal but he takes off Dele Alli and Harry Kane ahead of the Champions League match.
“That sends out a message that they can’t win the league…but they need to make top four.”
In Pochettino’s defence, Kane was below par against the Gunners and looked to be struggling for fitness, having missed the previous international break through injury.
A step back for Spurs was always likely due to playing their home games at Wembley, but they need to limit the impact of this.
A top four place will be considered satisfactory before they hopefully kick on next season, but it is clear they cannot take it for granted and have to earn it.
Merson added that he felt Tottenham would win at Watford this weekend, predicting a 2-1 away win.
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