What next in this roller-coaster of a season?
Every fixture has begun looking hard again for Spurs: What is causing the crippling inconsistency?
It’s understandable for Spurs fans to once again grimace when inspecting the fixture list for the remainder of the season given that no games look easily won. Admittedly, there was more optimism about following a triumphant display against Manchester City at home at the start of February but such is the topsy-turvy nature of the club that only a short time after Valentine’s Day, it feels like Spurs are flirting with catastrophe again.
A tough road ahead
At least, hosting Chelsea before heading up Yorkshire to take part in a fifth-round FA Cup tie at Bramall Lane against promotion-chasing Sheffield United, on top of 90 minutes at Molineux where the team will be tasked with going head-to-head with Julen Lopetegui’s revived Wolves, currently fills no one with hope after losing to relegation-threatened Leicester by a scoreline of 4-1.
Additionally, there is also the small matter of hosting AC Milan at home who will arrive in London with a 1-0 advantage after winning at the San Siro. Despite the latest Champions League betting markets pricing Spurs at 9/10 to win the return encounter, the overall prediction is that the Serie A side will progress to the quarter-finals after being given odds of 31/40 to qualify over two legs. While those may be generous odds on a brittle Milan team who have made, for lack of a more dignified term, a pig’s ear of defending their 2021/2022 Serie A title, it’s also not hard to see why Spurs are fancied to crash out owing to the inconsistency that continues to plague the club.
Granted, this season has shown everyone that it only takes one unexpected result to turn the mood around in North London, but the perpetual fear soon sinks in again as fans wonder when the next shock may present itself.
A lack of leaders in the building?
As for the reason behind why the team’s form continues to experience alarming dips, you could make a compelling case regarding the fact that the club is currently rudderless as captain Hugo Lloris begins a two-month stretch on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury against City. On top of Lloris’ being on the treatment table for an extended spell, there is also the news that Antonio Conte will not return to England after the loss against Milan and will instead stay at his home in Italy to focus on his recovery from surgery.
With both the captain and manager not at the helm, it does feel like Spurs are in danger of drifting out to the choppy waters of mid-table.
To add to the sense of uncertainty and lack of leadership, the Financial Times is also reporting that Iranian-American billionaire Jahm Najafi is preparing a blockbuster takeover bid for the club. As you would expect, Spurs have responded immediately by stating that they will not entertain any idea of selling.
Irrespective of what happens over the coming months at boardroom level, the reality is that there is very little assurance about what tomorrow holds for Spurs which may be a major contributing factor in explaining their lack of identity on the pitch.
It’s the hope that kills you
So, how does this season end? It would be true to form for Spurs to gatecrash the top four when all hope seems lost as well as enjoy a deep run in one of the cups they are still in. But the truth remains, you can’t keep flirting with implosion because the wheels will come off one day.
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