Currently residing in sixth place, Spurs have a lot of work to do if the club wants to be competing in the Champions League next season. However, a win at Old Trafford could be crucial; three points would put them fourth. Therefore, can Spurs finish in the top four?
Overcoming a disarrayed but dangerous Manchester United would really give Spurs a chance to push on for fourth place, especially with the following fixtures after: Leicester (Home), Burnley (Away) and Aston Villa (Home). However, these teams aren’t going to be pushovers. As the season grows older, the bottom teams fight harder to stay in the Premier League. Don’t forget that these teams are in the football purgatory. The players would absolutely hate to go down, whereas perhaps Tottenham’s players wouldn’t be anywhere near as disappointed by finishing fifth or sixth, for example.
As of late, Spurs have been physically and mentally strong. Academy players such as Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason and Harry Kane have been resolute in their performances. Even off the pitch, they brandish mottos on Twitter such as “#SoldiersNeverSurrender” as well as “#NeverGiveUp”. This is no idle chat. This is the stoic ideology behind the Tottenham late shows in the Premier League. Those last minute winners aren’t luck at all. Instead, it is nothing but hard work.
One way to see the upcoming games for Spurs is individual cup finals. Sounds ridiculous: no team receives silverware for finishing in the top four, right? True, but the importance of every future match is paramount to success. Lackadaisical performances do not breed wins, and needless dropped points are beyond damaging.
The average position of the teams Spurs have to face in the remainder of the season is 11.6. This is the second easiest run-in, but this statistic is one that no player should be pleased about. Six out of ten of the final games are away from home. This includes matches against Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle and Southampton—all stellar opposition. Add to that a home game against Manchester City and suddenly, this seemingly ‘easy’ run-in is starting to seem a gargantuan effort. It certainly will not be easy.
Vitally, the players must step up a gear. The entire squad must do their utmost to ensure their team makes Pochettino’s season a very positive one. Some players already wear their hearts on the sleeve and leave all their energy out on the pitch, but a few others could put in more effort. Even if one player isn’t performing to his best, it could prove to be very costly. Having said that, Pochettino must be careful not to diversify too much. The team has been performing well for the majority of the season. Routine and regularity will provide a good foundation for these increasingly important games.
Can Spurs finish in the top four? Time will tell. Regardless of where Tottenham finish, it can be said Pochettino has had a solid first season and perhaps next season is more realistically the right time for a Champions League push. Perhaps there are a few missing players as it stands, but maybe, just maybe, Spurs can sneak into the top four for the first time since 2012 and the Champions League for the first time since 2010. What an achievement that would be.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter –@Wizward. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter –@LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
