A favourable run-in sees Tottenham Hotspur take on teams below them in the Premier League, the highest being Leeds United in ninth place. This final batch of Spurs fixtures offers a last chance for the club to make a grab for European football.
Whilst there is much to be disappointed by this season, making a comeback for a top-four spot would help to assuage Spurs’ fans woes.
Spurs Fixtures Give Club Hope in European Push
Five Points to Make up
In the remainder of the Spurs fixtures, the club must make up a five-point gap on London rivals Chelsea in order to reach fourth place.
But the Lilywhites will not be the only team eyeing up that coveted fourth spot, with two points separating them from West Ham United in fifth, and a fallen Liverpool side in sixth.
All three clubs have similar fixtures, the main exception being Liverpool having to face Manchester United on Sunday. Otherwise, both the Reds and the Hammers will also only face the middling and lower teams in the division.
This makes a tasty finish to what will be a disappointing season for Spurs and Liverpool, but what could be a brilliant season for West Ham- if the Hammers stay in fifth place it will be their highest finish since 1998.
Ryan Mason at the Helm
When Ryan Mason took over as caretaker manager, he made some promises about preserving the DNA of the club in the football that he wanted his players to play.
During the Carabao Cup Final, it might be forgiven that the set-up was defensive and closer to Mourinho’s old style. Nevertheless, it was another failed chance to win a trophy in 13 years, another final that Spurs failed to win.
The frustrating part was that there really was not enough attacking gusto that Mason hinted at in his press conference.
But Mason had very little time to prepare and coach the team and that showed.
In his latest press conference, Mason has set his focus to galvanise his Spurs side to reach the top four.
He said: “We’ve got five cup finals. This weekend is a massive game for this football club.
“It’s important that we have the right mentality because it’s not easy to win games in the Premier League.
“We’ve had a week to prepare and a week to train, a week to work the players and come Sunday it’s a massive game for us as a group and as a football club.”
With five matches left to play, and a total of 18 points available, there is a very slim margin for error and Mason’s Spurs side need to hit the ground running.
Sheffield United are Spurs’ next opponents, and whilst already relegated the club may still put up a stern fight. The pressure is off for Sheffield which may give them greater freedom to play against a Tottenham side desperate for points.
It is a great opportunity for Tottenham to recover from the hurt of another lost final and to start to emerge from Mourinho’s defensive self-contained style to a more expressive and possession-based brand of football closer to the club’s historic way of playing.
Despite losing one of the greatest football managers in the world, there was a relief that came with Mourinho’s sacking in the form of the youngest Premier League manager. Mason is a Spurs fan, ex-player and a protege of Mauricio Pochettino’s era- which for a period saw some exciting football and results.
Mason is still finding his feet as a Premier League manager, but he will be able to spend more time with his players on the training ground and with the remaining Spurs fixtures start to steer the club back in the right direction.
Tottenham’s Remaining Fixtures
Sunday, May, 2: Tottenham Hotspur vs Sheffield United. KO 7.45 pm.
Saturday, May, 8: Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur. KO 12.30 am.
Sunday, May, 16: Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolverhampton Wanderers. KO 2.05 pm.
Wednesday, May, 19: Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa. KO 7.45 pm.
Sunday, May, 23: Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur. KO 4 pm.
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