Tottenham Hotspur suffered a third straight defeat, losing 2-1 to West Ham United in North London.
The loss leaves Spurs in 14th place on the league table and in dire need of a turnaround in the coming games.
Tottenham huffed and puffed but were ultimately bereft of ideas on how to break West Ham down. The attack lacked any form of spark.
Many players could be singled out for the bad performances at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but one was particularly infuriating.
Brought in to replace the injured Richarlison, Randal Kolo Muani started versus West Ham and delivered an absolutely shambolic display.
Kolo Muani did not muster a shot, completed only 11/18 passes, and lost possession 12 times. He was dribbled past once and won only 5/13 duels.
Tottenham correspondent for Football London, Alasdair Gold, ripped into the Frenchman’s performance.
He said, “Randal Kolo Muani is labelled as a striker, but if you were to watch his play around the box, you’d struggle to see the PSG man throw himself at anything like a natural striker would.
“There’s no determination to attack crosses or balls into the box. He’s rarely in the positions a poacher would instinctively find themselves in.”
Spurs have to be brutally honest about what Kolo Muani offers.
The French international (31 caps) was meant to be an exciting stopgap solution, but instead, he has been passive, unable to impact games, and detached from the attack.
Two goals in 22 matches is poor. Kolo Muani doesn’t stretch defences, doesn’t dominate the box, and crucially, doesn’t elevate those around him.
In short, he does not move the needle. If there is a realistic opportunity to cut the loan short and send him back to Juventus early, Tottenham should seriously consider it.
This squad is crying out for an attacker who brings urgency, aggression, and presence.
Persisting with an underwhelming option risks dragging Spurs further into mediocrity when decisive action is clearly required.