Paul Merson has ridiculed Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou’s assertion that he “always wins things in his second year”, joking that he has a better chance of winning Strictly Come Dancing.

Merson’s scathing remark came after Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the north London derby, which exposed the team’s familiar failings. Postecoglou’s claim was seen as a bold statement, but Merson was quick to shoot it down.

“I like Ange, I like him, but I’ve got more chance of winning Strictly,” Merson said. “No, I don’t see it at the moment. There’s not a lot wrong, but you look where they are and where Newcastle are. Tottenham have probably been playing better than them over the first three games, and Newcastle have more points than them.”

Merson’s comment has added to the pressure mounting on Postecoglou, whose side has struggled to find consistency this season. With Tottenham fans divided on social media, Merson’s remark has sparked a wider debate about the manager’s future.

Some fans have expressed frustration with the team’s performances, while others have called for patience and trust in Postecoglou’s project. “Do Spurs fans want to jump aboard the manager merry-go-round or do we have the patience to back the manager and back the journey?” one fan asked.

However, others are growing increasingly disillusioned. “I’m not pushing Ange out yet, but I have no idea who to recruit,” another fan posted. “Where do you draw the line, though? How many more games do we need to lose? How many set pieces conceded, lack of chances created, bad recruitment? Lose the next five?”

With a League Cup trip to Coventry on Wednesday and a Premier League clash against Brentford on Saturday, Postecoglou’s side must bounce back quickly to alleviate the growing pressure on their manager.

The Australian boss has a reputation for building strong teams, but his claim about winning in his second year has raised eyebrows. Can he deliver on his promise, or will the pressure become too much? Only time will tell.