The most frustrating part is that Tottenham Hotspur are capable of flashes of brilliance. The commanding win over Manchester City, the powerful win on the road against Everton in the Premier League.
But Spurs can no longer calls themselves a team in transition, not with the New Year less than a fortnight away. It is time for Thomas Frank to get the tactics right, and for his players to wipe away the silly mistakes which are hindering progress.
The January transfer window is also drawing close, and while the London club have numerous vacancies that could be filled, there's little question that improvements are needed in front of goal, with Richarlison leaving something to be desired.
Why Spurs need to upgrade on Richarlison
Dominic Solanke is into his second season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he has been plagued by injuries and has only started one Premier League game under Frank's wing.
Richarlison has been the leading man at number nine, but it's clear that he's not good enough to stand in Harry Kane's old spot. Indeed, Richarlison might have scored six times in the Premier League this season, but his goals have come in bursts, toiling away at times and drifitng about at others.
In the words of Gabriel Agbonlahor, he is "one of the worst signings in Premier League history." Injuries have not been kind to the 28-year-old, but he has also struggled to sustain a talismanic role in Tottenham's starting line-up, ebbing and flowing in conjunction with the general form at the club in recent years.
Perhaps a tad harsh, that, but there's no denying that the Lilywhites have failed to receive bang for their buck after signing the Brazilian from Everton for a whopping £50m figure. Tottenham need to sign an upgrade, but the transfer purses aren't bottomless, and funds need to be directed elsewhere.
Luckily, Solanke is returning to fitness, and ENIC Group have already signed a young striker who could become a sensation down N17.
Spurs already have the perfect Richarlison upgrade
It's easier said than done, but Tottenham really need to replace Kane at centre-forward. They need an elite goalscorer, and a leader besides.
Well, ENIC have attempted to complete that big feat with the signing of Mason Melia, who completed his already finalised transfer from Republic of Ireland side St. Patrick's Athletic at the start of January.
Melia, 18, has already racked up the appearances in his homeland, scoring 21 goals and assisting six more across 71 Premier Division fixtures. Hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as a "relentless" striker whose under-the-radar emergence has made him a "hidden gem", Tottenham will begin to see him on the senior stage before the term is out, if he catches the eye for the U21s from the outset.
An athletic and fleet-footed forward who likes to drive through the lines and into space, Melia has spoken of his isolisation of Kane, albeit playing a different brand of attacking football, more direct, less creative.
There is a lot of hype around this young man's name, and it's clear to see why. Melia might be a goalscorer first and foremost, but he's not one-dimensional. Sofascore actually record that he created five big chances across only 29 starts in the league in 2025, complementing his impressive return of 13 goals.
Richarlison is a pesky forward for defenders to deal with, but he is inconsistent and will not make drastic improvements to his game at this stage in his career.
While the step up to the senior stage in the Premier League is a big one, and has seen many hopeful prospects trip over when making the climb, Melia's limber frame and powerful running suggests he has what it takes to succeed.
He wouldn't be the main man from the off, but he has shown a clinical edge and natural athleticism that could see him be the perfect Richarlison replacement.