We're on the downslope of the October international break, meaning Aston Villa's visit, which seemed an age away as recently as last week, is suddenly fast-approaching.
Tottenham were able to successfully mitigate the first hectic period of a 2025/26 campaign that simply won't relent, enjoying an unbeaten run after the September interval.
With more Champions League fixtures and a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie upcoming, another daunting few weeks is in store for Thomas Frank's side, who sit pretty towards the top of the Premier League table.
However, there's a sense that this team can move through the gears as the season progresses, assuming we avoid major injuries (which cannot be guaranteed!). Nevertheless, if Spurs want to build on their sturdy foundations, perhaps eking out more of some squad members will be imperative.
Here are the four players with the most to prove after the October break.
1. Randal Kolo Muani
Mohammed Kudus and João Palhinha have settled in superbly, while Xavi Simons has offered glimpses and cameos. It's clear that the Dutchman will come good.
However, for another summer signing, Randal Kolo Muani, less can be discerned. The versatile French forward rocked up without much football under his belt, having appeared for Juventus at the Club World Cup in June/start of July.
We've so far been subject to just one substitute appearance against Villarreal, with a 'dead leg' so far preventing Kolo Muani from making his Premier League debut. The injury setback means his loan has gotten off to a far-from-ideal start, but the Frenchman's fitness has been built up over the break, and there's hope he'll soon be in a position to contribute.
There's hope that the multi-faceted forward will add another dimension to Spurs' attack.
2. Guglielmo Vicario
Only Dean Henderson has prevented more goals in the Premier League this season than Spurs' No. 1, who seemingly still has something to prove to factions of the fanbase.
While many are content with the Italian, the sky-high ceiling of Antonín Kinsky is intriguing, and seeing more of the Czech certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. Vicario may have produced some outstanding saves this term, but he's also been at fault for several of Spurs' concessions.
He's a superb shot-stopper and a huge dressing room figure, but can Vicario function as the figure of calm between the posts that a team competing among the elite requires?
3. Brennan Johnson
After leading Spurs' scoring charts last season and delivering the all-important moment in Bilbao, hopes were high for Brennan Johnson after Frank took the job.
The Dane had coaxed a fine season out of Kevin Schade at Brentford in 2024/25, a player who isn't wildly different in profile to Johnson, and many believed the new manager would help maximise the Welshman's abilities while hiding his flaws.
However, after starting the first three Premier League games of the season, Johnson has occupied the bench, with the more technically secure Wilson Odobert preferred down the left. Now, there are rumours of a potential move for Schade next summer, which would perhaps call time on Johnson's divisive Tottenham career.
To prevent Frank from going after one of his old beneficiaries, Johnson must maximise his upcoming opportunities. His best work so far came against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup.
4. Mathys Tel
I'm a big Mathys Tel fan. He may not be quite as special as I envisaged him to be, but my character assessment of the 20-year-old suggests he'll give himself the best chance of thriving at the highest level.
Much of the reasonable discourse surrounding Tel has focused on his optimal role, and I've so far been unsure as to how Frank can maximise a profile that is fairly unique and perhaps specialised. However, Tel was impressive as Spurs' No. 9 at Leeds United before the break, and Richarlison's poor run of form means many would be content with the young forward leading the line against Villa this week.
Tel's performance at Elland Road did quieten a few, there's no doubt about that, but can he now produce a good run of form domestically to ensure Frank has a serious selection headache once Dominic Solanke and Kolo Muani return to full fitness?