Now that the dust has settled…

Now that the dust has settled on what was unquestionably a disappointing end to the season, let’s take a look back at 2015/16.

Article by Nathan Flint @nathflint

I felt I had to wait a week to do this, such was the bad feeling caused by what was, by all accounts, an inexcusable display at St James’ Park last Sunday. But that shouldn’t cloud over the season as a whole. There are many things to be positive about – we broke a few of our own Premier League records and scored almost 100 goals in all competitions, not to mention a young and talented team with limitless potential.

So how did the season start? Again, disappointingly. We failed to win any of our first four games, losing on the opening day at Old Trafford and collected only 3 points in the following three games with points dropped in draws with Stoke, Leicester and Everton. We responded in excellent fashion, however, with three league wins on the bounce as the team began to click.

The top Premier League clubs entered the League Cup in September. Spurs were handed a home tie with Arsenal and both sides proceeded to field under-strength teams as the away side ran out 2-1 winners. Again, Tottenham responded magnificently. The next game saw title-favourites Manchester City visit the Lane as we got the first real sign of what this team could achieve this season.

An eleven missing Mousa Dembele and Danny Rose dispatched the big-spenders 4-1 in an excellent team performance, highlighted by the four different goal scorers. Unfortunately, we failed to build on this great result as we went without a victory in the next four in all competitions. Two of those games were draw in the league, making it five draws in our first nine. It was at this point that it became apparent that draws might cost us this season. We weren’t to know in what capacity, though.

A defeat at Anderlecht in the Europa League was unexpected, but it was the catalyst for a nine game unbeaten run in all competitions. I should probably point out that the defeat to Manchester United on the Premier League’s opening day was still our only league defeat at this stage, and the nine game unbeaten run made it a phenomenal 14 games league games unbeaten. The only downside to this is that over half (8) were draws.

The unbeaten run in the league was ended at home in a 2-1 defeat to strugglers Newcastle. It was a real shock to the system – Spurs were flying and despite being below par, dominated the game – as Newcastle scored from only two real chances and put a dent in our ambitions.

Again Spurs came back in style. Three straight league wins and five games unbeaten in all competitions as surprise package Leicester City visited the Lane. In a story not too far removed from the defeat to Newcastle, Leicester were victorious. Despite registering 21 shots and 62% possession, Spurs lost to an 83rd minute Robert Huth header.

Another setback, another response. This time Spurs rolled off seven straight wins in all competitons – six in the league – as March and the ‘business end’ of the season approached. Man City were again defeated, as were Fiorentina in the Europa League. Not forgetting a 3-1 away victory over Crystal Palace where Dele Alli scored THAT goal and confirmed himself as the real deal.

Ironically, in amongst this streak was an FA Cup defeat at home to Palace, something that still rankles with some sections of support as Palace face United in the FA Cup final this weekend. As our eight-year search for a trophy continues, it’s fair to say that it was an opportunity missed.

Our defeat of Fiorentina in Europe set up a Europa League Quarter-Final with Borussia Dortmund, which came after two London derbies with West Ham and Arsenal. A tough run of fixtures. An abject performance at the Boleyn resulted in a 1-0 defeat, followed by a 2-2 draw with Arsenal despite being 2-1 up with a man advantage. So, we headed to Dortmund full of expectation despite two disappointing results. What followed was probably the biggest disappointment of the season. Pochettino unexpectedly selected an under-strength team which subsequently capitalised to a free-flowing, creative Dortmund side. We’d effectively surrendered our chances of a European trophy for another season. Liverpool were next to face the Germans and knocked them out, again leaving us wondering would could have been.

So with our European involvement over for another season, we were left to focus on a surprise title challenge. We responded valiantly once again as we went seven league games unbeaten, a run that included spectacular performances as we defeated Stoke and Manchester United 4-0 and 3-0, respectively.

This wasn’t enough to sustain our aspirations as the final four games petered out underwhelmingly. That’s not to say we didn’t give it a good go; ultimately a poor second half-showing in a 1-1 draw at home to West Brom was our undoing. We still had a mathematiclal chance as we headed to Stamford Bridge to face a side that, despite being pathetic for most of the season, was hell-bent on ending our title challenge for good.

A fiery tie saw nine Spurs players booked, both teams fined and the end of our title challenge as Eden Hazard equalised in the 83rd minute.

I am reluctant to go into the last two games (defeats to Southampton and Newacstle) as they are still so fresh in the memory (and a little painful) and it was clear that the players had little left to give after a monumental effort in what was a great season. We finished 3rd – our highest ever premier league finish – and scored the most goals we’ve ever scored in the Premier League.

For me, the final two games – the last one particularly – will not overshadow the best season in recent memory. It’s just a shame we don’t have any silverware to show for it.

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