Tottenham: Why MS Mura is most important match for Santo yet at Spurs

It is pretty rare that a second match, in the group stages of competition becomes a must-win situation when there are four more games afterward. However, must-win is the situation that Tottenham Hotspur finds themselves on Thursday vs MS Mura in the UEFA Europa Conference League, making this the most important match Nuno Espirito Santo has coached for Spurs.

Spurs have struggled in September

The reality is Tottenham Hotspur has had a terrible September. After a solid August start to the season, the wheels have fallen off at N17. with Spurs not winning a match in regulation in a month. Add in 13 goals conceded in the last five matches in all competitions and suddenly Spurs are just a bad team.

WIth this run of terrible results and one more Premier League game before another international break, the Lilywhites desperately need a win. The good news, which may also be the bad news is MS Mura is supposed to be the most winnable game in their group.

MS Mura should be winnable for Tottenham

Tottenham is playing at home against the lowest-ranked team in their group, if there was ever a match for Spurs to get right this season this is it. WIth a top half Aston Villa at the weekend, things get no easier so a big home win may be just what the doctor ordered for Spurs.

Mura is not a pushover as the defending Slovenian PrvaLiga champions. However, like Tottenham, Mura has struggled a bit this season with their form. Currently, Mura sits a midtable 5th in Slovenia seven points back of first and eight points above the bottom of the table.

Accumulating four wins, four draws, and three losses with a -2 goal difference, Mura has very much had an up and down season like Spurs. The real issue heading into the match for Tottenham is that like Arsenal, Mura has already had their downs and seems to have come out the other side.

Mura has not lost in five consecutive matches in Slovenia, winning three and drawing two of their last five. Whereas Tottenham still seems to be on the way to hitting bottom, Mura has landed and already bounced back, making this match no gimmie.

Santo, Spurs must win

No matter the form or fancy of Mura, the truth is, this game is about Tottenham. If Spurs can actually play to their level and perform to capacity this match should not be close. Liverpool’s 5-1 whitewash of Porto is a good blueprint of what Tottenham could do should things work out.

Alternatively, if Tottenham plays as they have the last few Premier League matches, which is devoid of intent and effort, then Thursday may look more like Sheriff at Real Madrid, where the European powerhouse fell at home to a team that simply wanted it more1-2.

Ultimately, Tottenham has a ton more talent and all the reasons in the world to need and want to win this match. That just makes actually winning the game all the more important. If Tottenham can win, and win in style, it can hopefully help right the ship and steer Spurs toward a better tomorrow. A loss to Mura at home and then a fanbase already clamoring for change in the leadership will only get louder.