Could Tottenham Win the Premier League and Break Trophy Curse?

We’ve all heard all sorts of names thrown at us! Bottlers or feeble-minded over the years. The cobwebs in our trophy cabinet have been a cause for banter for decades.

Times are changing from Redknapp’s time at the helm to the exciting new-found rejuvenation under Ange Postecoglou. There is a new sense of top as Tottenham leads the Premier League race after Gameweek 8. It is the side’s best start to the season since 1960/61.

Despite being joint-top with their North London rivals and two points off reigning champions Manchester City, performances on the pitch have lifted the spirits of the Lillywhites. However, there is some significant need for change and consistency to pose a real title challenge against the juggernauts.

Postecoglou at the Helm

Tottenham went through a turbulent season under Antonio Conte with a lack of identity and playing style. The light at the end of the tunnel was our talisman, Harry Kane, who got us through most parts of the season.

A big blow came in the transfer window with Harry Kane packing bags and shifting allegiance to the Bavarians. It was a move that caused a lot of uproar among Tottenham fans. Why would we let our shining armor go and leave us in despair?

Under pressure, Daniel Levy felt the heat grow, with many calling for his dismissal. The controversies surrounding the director of football, Paratici, also cast a dark cloud over the club.

It was evident that change was imminent in the management and coaching departments. Rumors started flooding in about an imminent takeover. But we all knew that Levy wasn’t letting go of the helm.

Ange Postecoglou was appointed manager a week before the season started. Fresh from winning the Scottish Premier League, little was known about the 58-year-old Australian.

His portfolio could have been more eye-catching, with managerial stints at Melbourne, the Australian national team, Yokohama F.M., and Celtic.

Moreover, most fans called for a high-profile manager like Mauricio Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, or Luis Enrique.

Fast forward, life seems greener for the North London club at the top of the table with two wins against Manchester United and Liverpool (controversial win) and a 2-2 draw in the North London Derby.

So far, the most exciting but controversial win was in the 2-1 win over Liverpool following various controversial referee decisions. Not even the best Royal Writer could’ve depicted an own goal in the last minutes of the game by Joel Matip, which could separate the two sides.

The good run of form started igniting questions of whether a title race run could be in the books. New challenges, injuries, and banter will occur in the coming months. But one thing is certain: Spurs are heading on a new path.

Most In-Form Tottenham Players

Ange Postecoglou is transforming players into mentality monsters with the capability of winning games. Here is a look at some in-form players transforming our current run of form:

1. James Maddison

An under-the-radar signing for Postecoglou was James Maddison, who came from relegated Leicester City. £40 million looks like a bargain, especially with Caicedo and Rice going for over £100 million.

The biggest weak point last season under Conte was a playmaker. Only three players registered at least five assists last season, including Dejan Kulusevski, Pierre-Emile Hojberg, and Son Heung-Min.

Currently, Maddison leads the charts for most chances created, with 25 so far, while also in the running with 23 shots.

2. Udogie

20-year-old youngster Udogie made his switch from Udinese to Tottenham with big boots to fill in place of Ivan Perisic. His main strengths include tackling, ball interceptions, and dribbling, which makes him a standout star.

Moreover, his physical attributes make him an underrated left-back this season in the league. Despite being young, he has taken to the league very well while facing strong opposition like Mohammed Salah and Bukayo Saka.

He is second to Bissouma in the squad for making 25 tackles. His excellent start to the season has seen him earn a call-up to Italy, with a spot available for the coming Euro 2024.

3. Guglielmo Vicario

Hugo Lloris was a good servant for the Lillywhites, leading between the lines in high and low moments. However, his age caused some errors, calling for a change of guard between the sticks.

Most of us should have noticed the signing of an unknown goalkeeper from relegated Empoli. Moreover, it raised a few eyebrows since the under-pressure Paratici pushed for the move.

His start to the season was underwhelming, but he made up with master saves in the following matches. Currently, he has three clean sheets and 29 saves to his name. His heroic performance against Liverpool turned over a few critics to appreciate his gameplay.

Could Tottenham Have a Title Charge?

If we can learn anything from our rival’s premature run last season, committing to a title charge too soon can be a mistake. It’s better to cherish the good moments as we build up for a good season under Postecoglou.

We have a thin squad, and the drop-off in quality on the bench is a major worrying sign. Moreover, the upcoming AFCON and Asian Cup competitions will see us lose the likes of Bissouma, Hueng-min Son, and Pape Sarr.

However, it’s alright since Bentacur, our standout player last season, will soon recover.

Postecoglou deserves credit for transforming Son from a winger to a nine role, which makes the most of his finishing attributes. Many questions surround the future of Richarlison, who continues to disappoint.

Don’t take the foot off the gas pedal this January transfer window with the addition of a quality center back on top of the Romero-Van Dan Ven partnership.

Final Takeaway

It’s too early to get carried away with thoughts of a title run. The table may reflect our current form, but we need more time to get ahead of us. Let’s learn from our North London rivals last season as we enjoy the good football we missed for a long time.