With Tottenham entering the business stage of the Premier League season, the pressure is on all teams battling for a top-four finish.
Spurs are firmly in the mix to secure one of those coveted Champions League spots and Antonio Conte’s managerial experience could prove vital at this stage of the campaign.
Spurs Respond After United Setback
Conte’s side had to dust themselves down quickly after their 3-2 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in mid-March. Football tips will have shown how much Spurs have improved in recent months and a narrow defeat at Old Trafford was certainly a setback for the Lilywhites.
However, Conte managed to get a response from his side, as they secured a 2-0 win on the road at Brighton, before an impressive 3-1 win over West Ham in their following two matches.
Those two wins before the last international break of the season got Spurs right back on track before the campaign’s final push, with odds of 23/10 to finish in the top four.
The return to goalscoring form of Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane has come at a crucial time for Spurs as they look to beat the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham to that fourth spot in the standings.
Kane in particular had a slow start to the season, but the England skipper seems to be brimming with confidence once again as Spurs enter the business end of the Premier League campaign.
With speculation surrounding the forwards’ future once again in north London, securing Champions League football for next term would go a long way in retaining his services.
Conte Can Handle The Pressure
Having already had a title-winning spell at Stamford Bridge, Conte knows how to handle the pressure of the conclusion to a Premier League season.
Mikel Arteta is still relatively new to the managerial game, while Ralf Rangnick is learning as he goes in England’s top flight before taking on a new role at Old Trafford this summer. This puts the experienced Conte at an advantage for the important run of games to come.
Conte has won titles in England and Italy, and while there will be no silverware secured this season, a top-four finish would represent an impressive first campaign for Italian at Spurs.
Taking over a squad low on confidence after the departure of Nuno Espirito Santo was no easy task and, while it took some months to implement his ideas, things look to be clicking at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The win over West Ham will have been particularly pleasing for Conte, as his side caused resilient Hammers outfit problems throughout the game. Tottenham enjoyed the ball and had 17 shots at goal during the important win before the international break.
Spurs are by no means the finished product and Conte has been the first to admit that. But if the club are to attract the calibre of players their manager wants, then Champions League football is a must.
It all makes for what will be a thrilling end to the Premier League season and Spurs fans will hope Conte’s experience can help see the club return to Europe’s elite competition.
