Is Sheffield United Tottenham’s Most Important Game Thus Far?

After a disappointing draw against Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur face cellar dwellers Sheffield United, in what may be Spurs most important league game so far.

With a major battle at the top of table that could leave Spurs as many as nine points back of first after, Tottenham Hotspur’s match against Sheffield United is a must win. Staying within shouting distance of the league leaders is one of several compelling reasons that Sheffield United might be Tottenham Hotspur’s most important game thus far this season.

Any Shot at the Title

It is hard to believe Tottenham Hotspur started December in first place given Spurs are now six points back of Manchester United in the table. While a loss by Spurs coupled with a United win can leave Tottenham nine points adrift of the top spot. A Tottenham win, along with Liverpool beating United, can leave Spurs just three points out of first place and very much in the title race.

It is difficult to believe that after only taking five points from the last 15 possible – only 1 point more than last place Sheffield United – Spurs can be within three points of first, but such is the Premier League this season. But at the same time, Tottenham, and Liverpool both losing would leave Spurs with a mountain to climb.

While you can make the claim that if Liverpool win and Spurs lose, Tottenham are still only the same six points out of first but that ignores many other factors. Currently there are three other teams between Tottenham and the top duo of Liverpool and Manchester United. And with two games in hand technically Aston Villa could be ahead of Tottenham too. Further, there are four teams within a game of Spurs chasing. The point is if Tottenham fancy themselves title contenders at all they must beat Sheffield on Sunday to maintain pace with everyone else.

Arsenal Not as Far Back as We Think

I hate to say this, but the truth is Arsenal is not that far back. While we do have a game in hand over the Gunners, they are only six points off Tottenham in 11th place, just behind that pack of four teams a game back.

Spurs still have a decent lead on the Gunners and beating them is not what is most important, it is top four and challenging for more in the league. However, Arsenal has taken 10 points from their last 15 available, twice as many as Tottenham. If that happens again over the next five matches, they would only be 1 point back.

While Arsenal’s schedule is about to get tough again with Southampton, Manchester United, and Aston Villa in three of their next five matches Spurs play Liverpool and Chelsea. The point is another bad stretch, and we would have deal with them, which can just ruin a season and we are so much better off when Arsenal is not part of the same conversation as Spurs.

Tottenham Making a Statement

Yes, Sheffield United is coming off a victory and they have taken four points from their last nine, but they are still bottom of the table and have only scored nine goals all season. The 29 goals against is not the worst or even second worst in the league, but the goal difference of 20 is second worst to West Brom. Averaging exactly half a goal a match, Sheffield is the kind of team Tottenham really needs to dominate and not do so by sitting back but rather stepping on them. Sheffield United, a decent Premier League side, Tottenham is supposed to be competing for a Champions League spot at minimum, Spurs simply need to put to Sheffield to the sword.

After the draw to Fulham, there are questions about Spurs approach, their formation, their players, their coach. Nothing can put those questions to bed better than an emphatic win. Ultimately, anything short of an emphatic win is probably going to be deemed a failure by many. However, when we consider where the club was a year ago maybe we all are expecting too much. Then again, after spending a couple weeks at the top of the table for the first time in forever, maybe expectations have gone up a bit but that was earned not given.

Regardless of expectations for the result of the season, there are some expectations about how Spurs play. And while playing back to win is okay – when it works – against the likes of Manchester City it cannot be done against Sheffield United and Tottenham need to get sorted in this match or the questions will start to grow louder.