It was heartening to see such a young side under a young manager perform so well exceeding all expectations but the real test begins now – to replicate that sort of form amidst the increased hope from the supporters. Coupled with the extra burden the Champions League will bring which returns at Spurs after a gap of six long years, Pochettino’s boys are going to have a tough season ahead.
Spurs were not in the market for a major overhaul in the squad as just 2-3 positions needed strengthening. They have gone on their business slowly and have added good players which have increased the competition in the squad. Victor Wanyama was the first to arrive from Southampton for £12.5 million who will give much-needed stability in midfield and with him having Champions League experience, can be very hand in the coming years.
A striker to share the workload with Harry Kane was the most important duty that the club had to undergo and they have done just that by securing the services of Eredivisie’s top scorer, Vincent Janssen from PSV Eindhoven for a fee in the region of £18 million. A wide player still remains to be brought into the side as Spurs are a little weak in that department as the likes of Nacer Chadli and Heung Min Son have failed to cement their place.
Spurs have a defined style of play which has garnered plaudits last season, as a side who likes to press incessantly and make life difficult in midfield for the opposition. They have established themselves as one of the entertaining sides under Pochettino but face a stern test in the 2016-17 season as the quality and indeed the competition in the league has increased manifolds.
So let’s analyse the fixtures that Spurs will play in the league month-by-month :
August
Spurs kick-start their campaign with a visit to Goodison Park which is always a tough place to go. Everton must be weakened by then as two of their integral players, Romelu Lukaku and John Stones would be sold by then as it is rumoured. First game at the White Hart Lane will be against Crystal Palace which, as always, will be a close game.
Liverpool visit next who have got the upper hand against Spurs in the recent past, but the team needs to consistently win against the top sides if they want to stand a chance to regain their place in the top four.
September
Another tricky away trip beckons the Lilywhites as they visit Stoke City who are a strong side under Mark Hughes and have a decent home record under him. Sunderland visit the Lane next which guarantees three points for the hosts as David Moyes’ has undertaken a tough task at the Tyneside. Spurs face the new boys, Middlesborough next, who too won’t offer much resistance to the strong Spurs side.
A strong start is much needed to announce themselves amongst the strong sides. One of the main reasons for Spurs’ good performance last season was because all the big sides underperformed for the whole of last season which won’t be the case come next week. At least 12-15 points are a must in the first two months of the campaign.
October
Tottenham welcome Guardiola’s Man City, who under him and the huge money spent by the Spaniard, are title contenders for the league crown next season. City were beaten handsomely last season away to Spurs and Pochettino will love to repeat that feat. The next two away trips to West Brom and Bournemouth doesn’t seem that hard for Spurs as they will look to gain all six points against them.
Spurs face the champions, Leicester City next, who too are all set for another good campaign if they manage to keep hold of Riyah Mahrez for the coming season. With the pileup of fixtures from the next month onwards, Spurs, if they win all their games this month, can challenge for the top which is not looking like the case at the moment.
November
This is a crucial month for Spurs as they face three crucial matches in November and surprisingly all three are London derbies which are often a huge thing for the supporters as they represent a matter of bragging rights for them. First, they visit Arsenal which will be the first North London Derby of the season and next they welcome West Ham who have become a strong outfit under Slaven Bilic and the brilliance of Dimitri Payet.
Spurs next pay a visit to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea who are their bogey team as Spurs have failed to win at their home ground in the last 27 matches, spanning 24 long years. If Spurs manage to avoid a defeat during this month, it will be a huge achievement for this young side.
December
The festive period brings the highest number of matches as Spurs are given a respite this month after a horrible November. They face Swansea first who won’t be much of a worry and guarantee three points for the London side. Spurs visit Mourinho’s Man United next, who after spending hundreds of millions are also title contenders again.
Two home games against Hull City and Burnley seem easy as both of them are expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle throughout the season. Two away games are next as Southampton and Watford play Spurs to round up the year.
January
The first of the new year is a big one as Chelsea visit White Hart Lane as Antonio Conte will look to stamp his authority on the rivalry in his first year at the club. Chelsea have a good record at the Lane as Spurs went without a win against them at their own home turf from 1987-2006. They welcome West Brom next which will be a must win game considering they may drop points against the Blues.
Next two away games are tough games as they face Man City and Sunderland. City will be a strong unit under Guardiola and will be well aversed with his tactics by then. Stadium of Light has always been a resilient place to win a game as Pochettino faces another tricky set of fixtures to endure with.
February
The two home games this month against Middlesborough and Stoke seem as sure shot victories for Spurs. The sole away game against Liverpool will be a feisty affair, as was the case last season too, as both the sides grind a 2-2 draw. Both the sides are fighting for a place in the top four and winning this game would help Spurs’ cause in the long run.
March
Everton visit White Hart Lane who don’t have a good record away against Spurs. The month of March is the business end of the league and all the teams will be up for the fight as no game will be easy from now on. An away game against Crystal Palace is up next which probably will be an easy game for Spurs along with their next home against Southampton, who are heavily weakened after losing Wanyama to Spurs and Mane to Liverpool.
April
Another busy month which includes six games with home games against Watford, Bournemouth and Arsenal and away trips to Burnley, Swansea and Leicester. Four games out of six appear to be winnable for Pochettino’s side whereas, Arsenal and Leicester will be feisty encounters which may decide their positons in the league.
May
The last month of the 2016-17 season is a tricky one as they visit West Ham’s new home ground, the Olympics stadium for the first time as the London Derby against the Hammers is always a tough game to gain three points.
Manchester United come calling next, which if the Spurs side avoid a defeat against, will be vital three points in the campaign. Hull City away will end the campaign for the Lilywhites which guarantees to be three points for the visitors.
Predicted finish: 5th or 6th
Spurs will find it tough this coming season as City, Chelsea, United and Liverpool seem to have a better and a balanced squad than Spurs and with Champions League duties after a long hiatus of six years, this young squad are going to experience a lot of difficulties. The young team also lacks experience that is required at the biggest stage, as was proved last season when they were indisciplined against Chelsea when they knew they had lost the title.
The reality is that this squad should not be judged by their final League position as becoming Champions next season is a tough ask against the likes of Manchester clubs. This young side has a lot of potential and a fine cup run must be the priority and securing Champions League positions.
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