The 2016-17 EPL season promises to be one of the most-keenly contested in history, and as such, challenging for the top spots will require a lot of work. The big wigs seized the summer transfer window opportunity to add necessary and quality players to their ranks, and the battle for the top 4 Champions League spots is poised be a fight to the finish.
Last season 3rd placed finishers Tottenham, are favourites to land any of these coveted spots for themselves, and it’s not even erroneous and out of reality to believe they can steal the top prize away come May.
But they will need to do much more if that is to happen. They remain the only side not to have lost any of their league fixtures this season, and inasmuch as that record is as enviable as they come, it might not be enough to finish in top 4.
Competing in the goldfish bowl of the English Premier League where the Mancunian giants, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all want the prize, or at least finish as 1st, 2nd and 3rd runners-up, failing to win their small battles could become Tottenham’s undoing at the end of the day.
The reason why Spurs title challenge fell flat at the end of last season was their inability to take all 3 points from teams way below them in quality, and they are proving their inadequacies in crossing these very same hurdles.
Draws against West Brom and Chelsea and losses to Southampton and Newcastle (all below them on the log) in their 4 last league fixtures derailed what was a fast-blazing title campaign for them last season. And following their most recent back-to-back league draws against West Brom and Bournemouth, that Dejavu feeling is up in the air again.
A loss on matchday 38 cost them a 2nd spot finish last season, but technically it all boiled down to a couple of draws and losses that should have otherwise been wins earlier on in the season. In the EPL, a goal scored or conceded could be the eventual decider for who wins the league.
A draw and a loss potentially have far more damaging consequences on a club’s race, and they are best avoided as much as possible. Tottenham must learn from their past mistakes if they are to make a top 4 spot this term.
At the moment, they are 5th on the log, but they could have easily moved to the top spot if the 4 points lost to West Brom and Bournemouth were all picked. That they are yet to lose a game doesn’t count at the end of the day. The race for the top spots is getting stiffer every other matchday, and Tottenham have no room for errors if they are to land a big position again.
They have got the players, the quality and tactics, there are no excuses for them if they fail to take and create chances. A little slip and one of the big contenders will snatch any of the available top spots away. This would be the toughest season ever, and a lot more is required from the White Hart Lane outfit if they are to finish in top 4.