The intangible factor that should prove decisive in Tottenham's top four chase
There's an unmistakable togetherness amongst players and staff that will yield Tottenham's best on-field product, which should lead to a top-four spot come season's end.
By Gary Pearson
I saw a hilarious stat saying Tottenham had a 0.1% chance of winning the Premier League title. While winning it all, being seven points behind league leaders Liverpool with 15 matches remaining, is highly unlikely, it hardly constitutes such a minute probability.
🎙️| Ange Postecoglou on a supercomputer saying #Spurs have a less than 0.1% chance of winning the title this season:
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) February 9, 2024
"A supercomputer! Does it go to a phone booth and change into something else from just a normal computer? What did it say, 0.1%? So we've got a chance then! Let’s… pic.twitter.com/TWIVYaNBfA
Sure, Tottenham would have to run the table to have any chance of winning their first Premier League crown. If we're honest, despite Ange's impressive revolution since taking charge, Spurs aren't the finished article yet. That puts winning the Premier League title this season out of reach.
A top-four spot, though, should be Spurs' horizon. I know what you're thinking. Nothing is guaranteed or handed to you in the world's most competitive and demanding league. While that's true, there's something about the chemistry of this collective that facilitates such confidence.
Yves Bissouma, who just returned from the AFCON after recovering from malaria, was his usual jovial and jolly self in the locker room, lifting morale and clowning around. James Maddison made light of it on one of his hilarious Instagram stories. Sonny is back in London and, thanks to his teammates' support and unwavering backing, will dust off his socks and recover from South Korea's devastating 2-1 semifinal loss.
Only three players are currently injured, including Manor Solomon, Ryan Sessegnon, and Giovani Lo Celso, the latter of whom has returned to training. Tottenham hasn't enjoyed a clean bill of health since the season started, so having injuries to only three squad players represents an exceptional state of affairs.
🚨Ange Postecoglou says Giovani Lo Celso trained this week while Yves Bissouma & Heung-Min Son are in contention to face Brighton in the Premier League.
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) February 9, 2024
❌Manor Solomon has had a further procedure on his knee while Ryan Sessegnon remains out.#THFC #COYSpic.twitter.com/LGSWKqGt5i
Seeing how tight-knit this unit is, primarily thanks to Ange's inspirational leadership, bodes well for the run-in. While a Premier League title probably won't happen this season, expect Ange to shepherd his new team to a top-four spot, ensuring Tottenham is back where they belong next season: the Champions League.