West Ham can make relegation rivals Spurs crumble despite the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi – that’s according to leading pundit Paul Merson.
Tottenham’s appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has driven almost as much debate in east London as it has the north of the capital.
With one point and one place separating Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers and Spurs, West Ham have more than a vested interest in the Italian tactician taking over from the hapless Igor Tudor in the Tottenham hotseat.
Had Tudor continued in the post, the Irons would have felt confident of overhauling Tottenham Hotspur in the battle to stay in the Premier League.
Merson says West Ham can have De Zerbi sinking from the start at Spurs
The arrival of De Zerbi threatens to change that with many feeling his passion and demanding nature will be enough on their own to secure the three wins that are likely needed in the last seven games for Spurs to finish above the Irons.
West Ham’s owners reacted to Spurs appointing De Zerbi, admitting they are left hoping it goes a certain way.
How worried should we be about De Zerbi joining Tottenham? 😟
But Paul Merson says West Ham can still make Spurs crumble despite the De Zerbi factor.
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The Sky Sports pundit believes De Zerbi is a top class manager but points out Tottenham have had several of those in the past.
And he says West Ham could plunge the new Tottenham boss into a situation that is hard to get out of – before his side have even kicked a ball in anger.
“They can’t afford to go down,” Merson said of Spurs on Sky Sports News, which you can see in the post below.
“If they go down, it’s just unthinkable. So you’ve got to take that chance. And whatever the bonus is (a reported £10m to De Zerbi), it’s a cup of tea in football terms if he keeps them up.
“Because if he doesn’t keep them up, everything goes out the window. You know, they’re a business now. You know, they get concerts, they’ve got go-karting, they’ve got American football. You know, you’ve got to throw another four home games on top. Then all of a sudden, you can’t be booking, you know, Robbie Williams to do a concert because you might be in the (Championship) playoffs. It (the difference financially) is huge.
Merson: West Ham win vs Wolves changes everything for Spurs
“This lad is a top, top manager that a lot of clubs would have, they would have him. But they’ve had good managers, they’ve had very good managers – and look where they are, 17th in the league.
“When they play Sunderland (next on Sunday April 12th), the worst thing that could ever happen to them is if West Ham beat Wolves (on Friday April 10th).
This team stays up ahead of Spurs 😎
Only debate is Dinos or Todibo….
“Because when they drop into that bottom three, it’s a different game, a very different game then.
“And then the pressure is severely, severely on them.”
Merson is spot on, the Hammers will climb out of the bottom three for at least 48 hours for the first time since November if they beat Wolves in that must-win clash at the London Stadium a week on Friday.
That will pile even more pressure on Spurs and De Zerbi – who many feel may take too long to get the team playing how he wants.
Sunderland is not the easiest place to go at the best of times, let alone with the season they are enjoying.
West Ham would be getting their heads above water at just the right time – while forcing Spurs under at the worst possible moment.
Relegation run-in remaining fixtures: