Spurs braced for nine days which could define their season
Four matches in quick succession will reveal just how far this team can go this term, writes John Percy
The clocks may have only just gone back, but this already feels like a potentially pivotal moment in Tottenham Hotspur’s season. In one of the harsher quirks of the fixture list, Mauricio Pochettino and his squad find themselves preparing for four exacting games in nine days, in three competitions. By the end of this period – which feels like the festive schedule only played out against a backdrop of falling autumn leaves – we will know much more about where Spurs stand.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City represent the first challenge at Wembley tomorrow night, with their hosts pursuing a fifth successive victory in the Premier League. Next up are West Ham in the EFL Cup two days later, before a potentially awkward game at Molineux against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, and then a critical Champions League tie with PSV Eindhoven three days later.
Spurs could conceivably be out of two competitions by the middle of next week – possibly three if City extend their lead over them to five points – but there is a steely mood in the camp after their excruciating 2-2 draw in Holland on Wednesday. They appear unlikely to progress to the knockout stages after picking up just one point and the wooden spoon of the Europa League beckons as they prepare to (finally) move into the new White Hart Lane next year.
Yet in the Premier League, this is still the most points Spurs have accrued after nine games. They have recovered from a stumbling start to move within two points of Guardiola’s champions, despite the ongoing problems surrounding their stadium.
Erik Lamela, the midfielder, admits he has no idea why their form in Europe and the league has been so wildly unpredictable. “The matches have been defined by very small details that have changed everything. We’ve not had much luck in the Champions League and I’m not trying to find excuses,” he said.
“We also did not manage to close down matches as we should have done in Milan and Eindhoven. And when you do things like that it becomes more difficult. The draw at PSV is not at all what we were expecting, but we have left that behind us. It is all about Manchester City now and we are all focused on them.”
Spurs lost twice to City last season but Lamela knows a victory will only fuel optimism that Pochettino can sustain a title challenge.
“Obviously if we win we’re going to be a point above City and that would be ideal,” he said. “The good thing is that we’re playing locally and have our people there supporting us. That’s going to be really good and will help.
“We’re going to go for the win. That’s what we’re seeking. We’re going to try and stay on that streak of victories that we’ve been having in the Premier League.”
Spurs’ hopes will inevitably revolve around Harry Kane, who has seven goals this season despite suggestions that he has been struggling with fatigue after playing for England at the World Cup this summer.
And Lamela insists Kane deserves to be compared with City’s Sergio Aguero as one of the Premier League’s most potent strikers.
Aguero has etched his name into City history by becoming the club’s all-time record goalscorer (he has scored 149 in the Premier League) but Kane, at 25, is five years younger and only 36 goals behind him.
“I think they’re both incredible,”
How Spurs will be stretched to the limit
said Lamela. “Kun [Aguero] has proved through his whole career he’s a legend in football. Harry is much younger but what we’re seeing from him, it’s very promising and looking that he could become a legend as well. And as a mate, I just wish him the best in his career. It is a good question!”
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, tomorrow 8pm. Live on Sky Sports