Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank haven't got many aces to play, with his shallow pool of credit after succeeding Ange Postecoglou last summer already close to depletion.
The fanbase, as a collective, is fed up. Any joy raised by Spurs' title-winning triumph in the Europa League last season has been dashed by more misery on the domestic front.
Frank will take charge against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening, but the Londoners are in deep trouble, and they probably need some help before the January transfer window slams shut.
Conor Gallagher has been signed, and he impressed even as Spurs lost at home to West Ham United on Saturday, but it's clear that ENIC Group need to move for a new forward if they want to stop the rot in the Premier League.
Spurs lining up winter move for forward
Tottenham remain intent on signing a forward, especially now that Richarlison has joined Mohammed Kudus on the injury front.
Even with Spurs lacking firepower in the final third, Frank has decided to exclude Mathys Tel from Tottenham's Champions League knockout squad, prompting fury from the young Frenchman's camp.
Reports had already surfaced this month regarding Tel's future in north London, with the 20-year-old mooted for an exit following an internal dispute with Frank.
If he leaves, Tottenham will need to have a reliable replacement lined up.
And according to TEAMtalk, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Phillippe Mateta could be the man for the job, inching closer to the door at Selhurst Park.
Juventus are the frontrunners for the France international, but a number of unspecified clubs are said to have held talks with the player's representatives, with Spurs, Manchester United and Aston Villa keen.
Why Mateta would end Tel's Spurs career
Mateta, 28, is a fine representation of persererance, having overcome hurdles in his career to establish himself as one of the most potent Premier League strikers of recent years.
The Eagles talisman wants to leave south London, though, and Spurs could strike gold by signing him, landing an upgrade on Tel, who is a natural finisher but lacks maturity in the final third, with a desire to play on the left wing too.
Palace's main man is not just confident and accurate in front of goal, but able and physical in the build-up, with Sofascore showing that he has won four duels on average per Premier League fixture in 2025/26.
But scoring goals is his bread and butter, and he is set to hit double digits in the English top flight for the third successive year, so industrious and determined.
Tel is already struggling for game time, and that peripheral role would only continue with Mateta added to the mix, thus pushing his younger compatriot closer to the exit at the season's midpoint.
Mateta might not be the flashiest forward on the block, but his power and precision have led analyst and Como scout Ben Mattinson to describe him as "one of the best strikers in the Premier League".
Tottenham need instant improvements. Tel is a top talent, but he's raw and unpolished. Mateta, however, is at the top of his game and is an established and proven goalscorer in the Premier League.
With a signing like this, Spurs might just strike gold and finally turn a corner after flattering to deceive in the final third.