The Fight for the Top 4

Article by Cam Lessard

Subscribe to the e-Spurs Podcast on iTunes (Click Here)


Sure, a Capital One Cup victory would have been the ultimate sweetener for Mauricio Pochettino's rookie season at the helm. By all estimations, a win would have fast tracked Tottenham's already bright future and made the squad an instantaneous threat in the league. The future prospects for the club remain unchanged despite the loss to Chelsea, but one can't help but think about what might have been.

Personally, after the Capital One Cup loss, I expected a more timid team to emerge against Swansea and viewed the match as a trap, or the inevitable beginning of the end. My judgment could not have been more incorrect. Spurs came out with their guns blazing in full-on attack mode. Tottenham’s defense in the Swansea match had its imperfections, but the offense, to net three goals in the first hour of play, was absolutely stellar. The 3-2 victory over Swansea proved, for better or worse, Spurs are in the Top 4 battle until the end.

The attacking verve seemed to have dissipated some for the match against QPR, but Harry Kane's determination and poise simply overwhelmed the Ranger back line. Ben Davies, in for Danny Rose, was the only starting eleven substitution from the previous two games against Chelsea and Swansea. Fitness seemed to be questionable team wide since the match was Tottenham's third in seven days. Despite the certain fatigue, the young squad, on the back of Harry Kane, gained another three points.

By the time Spurs reach Old Trafford for Sunday's showdown with Manchester United, our boys will have had a full week of rest under their belts. A victory would put Spurs at 53 points and in a tie with Manchester United in the table. With Di Maria banned from the match-up, Spurs will face a weakened United team on the heels of a FA Cup lose to Arsenal. In their present form, I like Spurs to get up early, stifle United in the midfield, and survive a waning minute onslaught to win the match.

Looking past Sunday, Spurs have very winnable matches with Leicester City, Burnley, Aston Villa, and New Castle. That string of matches with bottom half teams is followed by a tougher streak of competition featuring Southampton, Manchester City, and Stoke City, before finishing up the season against lowly Hull City. From my standpoint, Spurs should finish with no less than 68 points. That number may not be good enough for Top 4, as history suggests it is not, but it's a conservative calculation given the remaining match-ups.
On Sunday, I expect the same starting eleven, the same attacking game plan, and most importantly, the same tenacity we have seen over the past two games to carry over into this season making match. If Spurs pulls out a victory, the grueling fight for the Top 4 gets a little bit easier. If Spurs lose, it would take an astounding run down the stretch to win a Champions League berth. Regardless of the season’s table result, it is safe to say, we should all look at it as a successful one.

Follow me on Twitter @OptimisticSpurs

© e-Spurs 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Spurs

Share on Google Plus