The picture

Spurs have endured a horrendous few months. Before the recent away win at Brentford, which has at least temporarily eased fears of relegation, they had managed just one point in the last seven league games. They have not won at home since defeating Aston Villa 4-1 in early November. The North London side are languishing in 14th place and staring down the barrel at their worst league finish since the 2003/04 season. To compound this, they exited both domestic cup competitions in the space of three days.

Injury crisis

The most obvious and frequently cited cause of Tottenham’s troubles so far this season has been their terrible luck with injuries. The defence has been missing key players for most of the season – with Pedro Porro being the only member of the first-choice backline not to have spent a long spell on the sidelines. To compound this, the attackers are now dropping like flies, with James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, and Dominic Solanke all currently unavailable.
Greater action in the summer transfer window would have helped to alleviate the impact of this crisis. Instead, Spurs brought in one player over the age of eighteen. Injuries were a factor last season, and Spurs only played 41 games in all competitions. Participation in the elongated Europa League this season guaranteed that this number would extend into the fifties. Leaving aside the intense style of play required by Ange Postecoglou’s system, any side fighting on all fronts must make contingency plans. To go into the season with only three recognised centre-backs was asking for trouble.

The departure of Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019 seemed to prompt a major change in direction by owner Daniel Levy. The Argentinian had built a hugely entertaining team capable of destroying anyone on its day, and had brought Spurs so close to ultimate success, finishing second in 2016/17 and runners-up in the Champions League in 2018/19. Yet his dismissal meant the end of any process-driven approach, in favour of a desperate pursuit of trophies.
The short-term, results-driven approach of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte had the allure of promising an elusive trophy. The reality was a stunted playing style which sucked the life out of a team used to playing attractive football, and brought one top-four finish in four seasons and zero trophies. Appointing Postecoglou in the summer of 2023 seemed to be a sign that Levy had listened to his critics. The importance of building something is paramount to a team without the finances to adopt a here-and-now approach.
However, the dream sold by Ange Postecoglou of a brazen, all-conquering team has crumbled in front of Spurs fans’ eyes. Recent performances have been that of a team that fails to create much, and concedes chances at will. Although injuries provide a plausible excuse, the long-terms signs are worrying. If you eliminate the first ten games of last season, the height of Ange ball mania, Spurs’ record is distinctly mid-table. Ange’s interactions with journalists have become terser as the weeks have progressed, and he has painted a picture of a man under pressure.

An unhappy fanbase

Much of the discontent directed towards Daniel Levy in recent weeks is a result of how far apart expectations and reality have become. Spurs’ entrance into their multi-billion-pound new home amidst a dazzling run to the Champions League final was meant to herald their entrance into the European elite. Ticket prices reflect this, with the cheapest season ticket on offer at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium being the second highest in the league. However, the product being delivered on the pitch is nowhere near.
Levy must either sell the club, begin to invest heavily, or re-model the promises he is making to the Spurs fanbase. Manchester City’s January response to their worst season under Abu Dhabi ownership was to spend £172 million on four new players, Spurs brought in three players on loan. Spurs are outspent on wages by every other member of the “big six”, as well as Newcastle and Aston Villa.
There is no imminent prospect of Spurs ever being truly successful. As a result, expectations may need to be re-worked. Would Spurs fans be happy if a Sevilla model of success was the reality? A team that is competitive in the league but its main success comes through cup competitions? For now, even this prospect has fallen by the wayside. One thing is for sure, the club cannot continue to project the image of a top club if it is not willing to match this in ambition.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Redbrick Sport here!:

UoB Aquathlon 2025: Bigger and better than ever before!

Match Report: Birmingham Cruise to Comfortable Win Against Poor Bristol Rovers

WSL: Table Begins to Take Shape