Tottenham fans went into the 2019/20 season with high hopes. The Londoners had watched their club finish as runners up in the Champions League and bag yet another top four finish in the Premier League. The club had unveiled a stunning new stadium and cash had been spent to bolster the playing staff.
As summer breaks go, they have certainly had far worse, that’s for sure. Then why, might you ask, are Tottenham sitting down in seventh place of the English top-flight? They can be found behind the likes of Leicester City, Arsenal, West Ham and Bournemouth. That will never do.
Spurs have already fallen 10 points behind pace-setters Liverpool and, despite the season being just a half dozen games old, many experts have already written off their chances of challenging for the title. Renown sportsbook 888 have set Spurs odds of finishing top 4 at 3/5 or there’s 66/1 at the same firm to win the league.
Questions need answers
What’s gone wrong at the club, how has it happened in such a short space of time and what can be done to fix it? All questions fans demand to know the answers to.
The finger of blame can be pointed in a few directions, but the stats suggest Mauricio Pochettino should start with his defence. Tottenham have conceded eight goals already. That makes them a more generous side than Manchester United, Burnley, Sheffield United and even Crystal Palace. They have allowed the same number of goals after six games as Newcastle who are fourth from bottom of the division.
A few other damning stats worth mentioning at this stage are Tottenham have kept just one clean sheet in their last six games, are last place in the interceptions table and are languishing near the bottom in the record of successful tackles. That then brings a weak midfield into the firing line.
The worrying thing for those fiercely loyal to the club is the opportunity to change things up has now passed with the summer transfer window slamming shut on the eve of the first game between Liverpool and Norwich. Pochettino won’t be able to strengthen until, at least, January, and that’s if the board trust him with any more of their millions.
Yes, the gaffer did do extremely well last season and is seen as one of the best managers in the business today, but modern football cares not about reputation or past glories. There’s a lack of real depth in the squad but that’s something the coaching staff will just need to deal with.
There are positives
It’s not all doom and gloom, however, and there’s no one connected to Tottenham reaching for the panic button. In fact, the worries of a Spurs fan would seem like a day off to followers of the likes of Newcastle United. It’s never as bad as it is made out to be in the newspapers.
One positive comes in the form of a man making his way back to fitness and form. Serge Aurier gives the team a boost with his return after a rocky summer. He has a lot of making up to do with some sections of the support, but all are in agreement, when at his best, he will be a real benefit to the Tottenham squad.
The 26-year-old right back joined from French giants PSG in 2017 and has been attracting the attention of AC Milan, according to some newspaper articles. Will he stay and fight for his place, helping push his current employers up the rankings, or will he jump ship in January. That’s one well worth keeping an eye on between now and next year.
Many supporters are pinning their hopes on Tanguy Ndombele, the 22-year-old French born midfielder who has been capped for Les Bleus. He joined in the summer for a fee thought to be in the region of £55.5m from Lyon and was tipped as the man to make a difference. In reality, he has shown glimpses of his true potential but it’s obvious Ndombele is still settling in to England and English football.
When he is up to full speed, the Tottenham midfield will be a stronger unit, but that can’t be rushed and there’s no reason to say it will happen this season or even next. Tanguy Ndombele, like many in this Spurs side, is a work in progress.
