ARSENAL legend Paul Merson has slammed Tottenham’s “negative” style and believes Chelsea will finish above Antonio Conte’s side.
Spurs have worked themselves into third place in the Premier League table after 13 matches, winning eight, drawing two and losing three.
They are five points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, but enjoy a small buffer over Newcastle, Chelsea and Man Utd.
And they are also a huge 10 points in front of last season’s runners-up Liverpool – who they host on Sunday.
Yet despite their league position, Conte’s men have been criticised for their style of play – often relinquishing possession and trying to hit teams on the counter-attack.
This is a method Merson does not believe is sustainable for the duration of the campaign.
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Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday show, he said: “I just don’t think you get away with keeping on going to the well like they do.
“I just don’t see how they’ll finish third. Chelsea will finish above Tottenham.
When pressed on whether Spurs will finish in the top four, he replied: “I’m not sure. I think Liverpool win this weekend and close the gap on Tottenham.
“And Liverpool ain’t going away. People keep going ‘Liverpool, that’s it’, but no. I just don’t think you [Tottenham] can keep going to the well. You can’t keep on being negative.”
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Presenter Jeff Stelling then reminded Merson that if Spurs were to beat Liverpool on Sunday then the gap between the two sides would extend to 13 points.
To which Merson responded: “Liverpool might not close that [gap], but that’s not to say Man Utd and Chelsea won’t.
“Mark that, November 5th. Remember, remember, the 5th of November.”
Tottenham’s game against Liverpool on Sunday is their penultimate league fixture before the break for the World Cup.
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In midweek, they travel to Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.
And then their final match ahead of the World Cup comes at home to Leeds on November 12.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
