A year on Tottenham Hotspur two points worse but seven points better

Although Tottenham Hotspur had nine points and was in first place after three games last season, Spurs are better off with their current seven points than they were a year ago.

Last season at this time, Tottenham Hotspur sat where Arsenal sits today, in first place with 9 points from three wins. However, following those three wins to start the season, Spurs found hard times and required a late surge to claim a top four spot. Although the start to this season has seen Spurs accumulate two fewer points, the reality is that Tottenham is in better shape now for the road ahead than they were a year ago.

First place was a mirage for Tottenham a year ago

Three games into the season, things seemed to be going wonderfully for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. Spurs were 3-0 behind three shutout wins. Sure, Tottenham had only scored three goals from the three games, but it was nine points, and three clean sheets were nothing to sneeze at.

Unfortunately, an international break ensued, as did an injury to Heung-min Son and Covid-protocol-enforced absences for Spurs’ South American players.

From there, we know the story: Spurs lost three straight by a combined score of 1-9, and eventually, Antonio Conte was brought in to right the ship.

Conte is one of the main differences between last term and Spurs today, but not the only reason this team is better off.

Tottenham transfer business may not be done, but it is not tumultuous

A year ago at this time, there was still the outside possibility that Manchester City would stump up a huge offer and whisk Harry Kane away from N17. Today the idea of any team taking Kane out of north London is preposterous – at least as long as Conte is there.

Instead, the question is whether Tottenham will be able to move Harry Winks or Bryan Gil and, if they do, whether Spurs can add more homegrown or squad players to replace them.

With the team primarily settled and eight months under the reign of Conte, Spurs are more prepared to handle the season ahead.

Just as important, in some regards, despite having fewer points after three matches, Tottenham has seven points more.

Seven is more than zero for Tottenham, and the games played

If we look at the first three matches against the first three, sure, Spurs have seven points, which is two less than the nine they had at the same point last season.

However, if we dig a bit deeper and consider the opponents Tottenham has played, Spurs are seven points better than a year ago.

Last season, Tottenham lost at home to Southampton and Wolverhampton; they beat them both in London, which is six points Spurs did not have last season.

With Chelsea, I think we all know, we struggled mightily with the Blues last season, making the one point very meaningful for Spurs, but in the standings and psychologically.

And while seven points are just seven points, if Spurs had gotten similar results in these three games last season, Tottenham would have finished thrid-place in the final table.

Sure nine points would be a lot better than the seven Spurs have right now, but Tottenham is in better shape than that team was a year ago. It is going to be up to the team to prove that now.