Defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion makes for concerning trend

On Sunday afternoon, Spurs somehow collapsed from 2-0 up, to lose 3-2 against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex. With the defeat, a concerning trend since the start of last season continued.

Spurs' results immediately before the international break since the beginning of last season read as; 5-2 win at Burnley, 1-0 win at Luton, 2-1 defeat at Wolves, 3-0 defeat at Fulham, 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United, and 3-2 defeat at Brighton.

Whilst having six away games out of six possible is a bit unfortunate, these results make for poor reading. The two wins from six were against sides that ended up being relegated that season. The performances against Wolves and Fulham last season were particularly poor. The game against Newcastle could have gone either way, but then there was the embarrassing collapse from Sunday afternoon.

It is hard to put your finger on why this happens. Is it because players don't play to their full intensity in case they get injured and can't represent their nation? Other teams are full of international players, so that can't really be a reason, surely. What else could there be? It is something that is really hard to put your finger on.

Spurs' next game before an international break is at home to Ipswich Town next month, so there is really no excuse but to put this quirk to bed. Particularly as it is finally a home game. In March, Spurs' last game before the international break is once again away to Fulham, at the exact same time of year as the defeat to them last season.

In the 22/23 season, including the World Cup, there were three international breaks. That season also yielded two wins against sides that would go on to be relegated (Leicester City, Leeds United) whilst failing to beat the other relegated side, Southampton, in the third and final break, which ended up being the end of Antonio Conte's tenure at the club. So this has been a trend for a minute.