Alan Shearer calls out three Tottenham stars to help Dominic Solanke find best form
In contrast to Tottenham's flying start last season, Spurs have spluttered in the first month of this campaign - and Alan Shearer says they need to help record signing Dominic Solanke bed in
by Mike Walters · The MirrorAlan Shearer has told Tottenham’s “misfiring” forwards to help £65 million record signing Dominic Solanke break his duck.
And the former England captain says Spurs MUST stick with head coach Ange Postecoglou despite a spluttering start to the season yielding just one win in four games and a dispiriting north London derby defeat against depleted Arsenal.
Solanke has yet to hit the target since his big-money move from Bournemouth, but Match of the Day pundit Shearer - who once went 12 games without a goal for England before the dam burst at Euro 96 - believes the drought will break sooner or later.
But he called on Spurs captain Heung-min Son, playmaker James Maddison and winger Brennan Johnson to step up until Solanke reaches full throttle. Speaking as an ambassador for Betfair, Shearer said: “I know how it works as a centre-forward when you're struggling to get a goal and there's no doubt that once Solanke gets the first one, it'll be a huge relief for him.
“How it comes does not matter, he just needs to get that first goal and then I'm pretty sure he'll relax, calm down, and stop thinking about the price tag. He then will hopefully go on to get a few more, but that needs to come sooner rather than later for your belief and confidence as a player. Solanke has to keep getting in there and believing that it's going to change.
“Looking at Spurs’ attacking options, James Maddison and Son Heung-Min need to shoulder more responsibility, especially when Solanke isn't quite up to speed yet. Solanke’s form is understandable with the niggling injury, but there's no doubt they're misfiring in forward positions.
"Brennan Johnson has to improve too, and I'm sure he can because the ability is there, but so does Son, and so does Timo Wermer when he comes on.”
For the first time since his reign began with a 10-game unbeaten run taking Spurs to the top of the Premier League last October, Postecoglou is under pressure to turn style into substance. The 1-0 defeat against the Gunners, conceding a 16th goal from set pieces in just over a year, was a setback he could have done without.
But Shearer insisted: “Ange was brought into the football club because of his style of play and because of his beliefs. It would be crazy for Spurs or Postecoglou to change that now, and he's not going to. He plays with a high line, with his full-backs going into midfield and at times, the opposition will catch them out.
“However, from set-pieces, teams see that as an area to exploit. I don’t know whether that's the goalkeeper, or the Tottenham set-up, but he's not changing it. Let us not forget how Ange’s style worked for them in a lot of games last season and it was exciting football, but it is high risk. Sometimes fans have to be patient because it'll work one week and maybe not so much the other.
“Spurs must stick with Postecoglou, there's no doubt about it. Unfortunately, you know as a manager, and as players, that you have to deliver on the pitch and if you don't, you'll get criticised.
“Unfortunately, Tottenham haven't had a good start to the season. I admire Postecoglou’s confidence and his belief, just very much like his style of play, and that's not going to change for him.
“It was interesting when he said, 'I always win trophies in my second season', but that has been the case during his career. They are not going to win the league, so a cup competition will have to be their chance of some silverware, so they are going to have to go out and win one.
“Ange has come down from Celtic where the pressure is huge because they're a massive football club and you have to deliver there, which he did. However, in terms of the standard of football, the Premier League is chalk and cheese compared to the Scottish Premiership. There is no comparison.
“He is now coming up against better teams, players, managers, and set-ups down in England, and he knows that. He knows that the pressure is on him to deliver; he's spent a few quid and bought a centre-forward for a lot of money so he now has to get that right.
“The chairman at Spurs may prefer a top four finish, but for the players and the manager, they must value a trophy over Champions League qualification.
“In 20 years’ time, you don’t want to look back and say, ‘we got into the top four’, you would rather look back as a player or manager and remember the trophy you won. There's no doubt about that.”
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Sky Sports deal
Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)
Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.