It has its purpose, I'm sure.
To me, it means, among other things
- the controller is aware that we would have wanted the clearance significantly sooner than we'll get (and that they plan for us to land rather than go around)
- expect a chance of a go around, so I can re-brief the missed approach procedure
- (depending on the reason for late clearance) expect a chance of wake turbulence, either on approach if a landing aircraft, or in the go around if a departing one, or could be an aircraft/vehicle crossing the runway
- gives me and the guy next to me time to consider the plan if we go around (particularly if due to a departing aircraft who will be in our blindspot on the g/a)