What differences does a year make for Tottenham?
By Gary Pearson
Do you reminisce about last season and, if so, would you say Tottenham are in better overall shape in the current campaign?
The obvious answer, thanks to Tottenham’s current Champions League run, is yes. A shorthanded, 10-men Spurs side, a year ago to the day, were eliminated from the Europa League by Gent.
Let’s not dwell on the unfortunate, forgettable sequence of events that led to Tottenham’s demise. Suffice to say, Mauricio Pochettino’s side learned from last year’s misery, maturing like an exotic cheddar on the European stage.
Tottenham advanced to the FA Cup semi-final last season, so it’s still premature to compare domestic cup campaigns. Although 2017-18 represents Tottenham’s best chance to win the FA Cup in recent memory. The only thing that stands between Spurs and the final four is two pesky underdogs, one of which should be dispatched at Wembley on Wednesday.
Are Spurs keeping up with last season’s pace?
That leaves the Premier League. Are Spurs on pace to finish with more points in the current season than they did last season?
In short, no.
After 27 matches in the 2016-17 season, the Lilywhites were level with Manchester City on 56 points, good for a share of second place. Sixteen wins, eight draws and three losses put the Lilywhites of last year four points ahead of their current pace.
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Sitting in fifth place, Spurs, with 15 wins, seven draws and five losses, currently have 52 points at the same point of the season.
The club is churning out almost identical offensive numbers, with only a single goal differentiating this season (52) from last (53).
Spurs have conceded four more goals (24) than they did at this time last year (20).
Home and away comparison
Who doesn’t enjoy looking back on Tottenham’s invincible form at White Hart Lane with fondness? Spurs didn’t taste defeat once in their final season at the Lane. While we’ve only lost once so far this season at Wembley, Tottenham are seven points adrift of last year’s blistering pace.
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An improved 2017-18 record away from home almost restores the overall balance.
Tottenham are three points ahead of their 2016-17 pace, having taken 21 from a possible 39 road points with six left to play.
The next few weeks will determine whether the 2017-18 season is seen as an improvement, but in the meantime Spurs supporters wait with bated breath as their beloved team endeavour to bring a piece of silverware home for the first time in a decade.