Can Spurs Beat The Dreaded Drop?

Tottenham Hotspur have, for the second season in a row, become embroiled in a situation at the wrong end of the table. Following a disappointing 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace, a game in which Micky Van de Ven was sent off, Spurs are now just two places and one point above the drop zone, with the situation looking bleak.

The Bad Form Continues

After losing to Crystal Palace, it means Spurs have now failed to win in eleven top-flight games, with their last victory ironically coming against Palace at Selhurst Park on December 28. It’s a dreadful run of form that also currently includes a run of five straight losses, which will undoubtedly have left players bereft of confidence that they can find a way through it.

With nine games remaining, each fixture has now become a must-win. It’s also fair to say that between now and the end of May, Spurs have some tricky games to come, starting with Liverpool at Anfield. That’s followed by a huge relegation showdown against fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Other fixtures include trips to Champions League-chasing outfits Aston Villa and Chelsea.

The Forest And West Ham Factor

With Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley already relegated barring an absolute miracle, there’s only one relegation place left to be decided, with West Ham currently occupying it on goal difference. West Ham are on 28 points with a -19 goal difference, Nottingham Forest are 17^th on 28 points with a -15 goal difference, and Spurs are 16^th on 29 points with a -7 goal difference. It’s currently those three teams attempting to avoid the final relegation place.

The problem for Spurs is that while West Ham and Forest are both below them, they are showing signs of life, and crucially, fight. West Ham won 1-0 away at Fulham last time out and have only lost one in their last five. Forest haven’t had the wins, but they did secure a draw away at Manchester City in a spirited performance in their last game. With both teams looking capable of picking up points, it’s a worry for Spurs, who continue to lose.

Can Spurs Get Out Of This Predicament?

Things couldn’t be much worse at Spurs right now, especially after their fifth defeat in a row. But regardless of what some people say, they could still find a way out of this predicament if they’re quick about it. Igor Tudor’s interim reign couldn’t have started any worse, especially after more ill discipline means Van de Ven will now have to serve a suspension, but there are still plenty of points to play for.

The problem for Spurs is that they have to start picking up points immediately, or they could be leapfrogged by Forest, West Ham, or both. How they overcome the current adversity will involve a lot of soul searching and a reality check, especially when football betting markets see them as live candidates for the drop. But one win, or a big performance, could change everything.

Conclusion

After last season’s dismal Premier League campaign, everyone expected Spurs to be much improved this term. That’s not been the case. In fact, you could argue they’ve been worse, and the situation could still get even worse than it already is. Spurs are in a relegation fight, and they must find a way out of it. And fast.