This is no longer a dreadful fantasy; the relegation fears are genuine. The visit of a stagnating Newcastle United on Tuesday night feels huge amid a nightmare run of fixtures.
A 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday means we remain winless in the Premier League this calendar year, and a resurgent West Ham United are now just six points adrift. Nottingham Forest are well in the mix, too, but Spurs, given their depletion, are sleepwalking towards the dogfight.
With more and more succumbing to fitness setbacks and ill-discipline, Thomas Frank may well have to rely on unlikely heroes down the stretch.
It's must-win territory for the Lilywhites here, and this is how Frank could set his side up against Eddie Howe's Magpies.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Newcastle
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Guglielmo Vicario (GK)—Tottenham could really do with some stability from their goalkeeper, because we don't know what we're going to get from the tempestuous Italian. Made a few excellent saves last time out.
Archie Gray (RB)—The young Englishman broke through as a right-back for Leeds United, and does look at ease in the role.
Radu Drăgușin (CB)—A huge month beckons for the hard-nosed defender, who will step in to fill the void left by captain Cristian Romero. Kevin Danso is also out injured.
Micky van de Ven (CB)—Van de Ven will don the armband in Romero's absence, and he's going to have to step up in a big way for the Lilywhites to alleviate relegation fears.
Djed Spence (LB)—Destiny Udogie's hamstring injury will sideline him from a month, but Spence is back fit after a period out. Frank also has January arrival João Souza to call upon after he made his Spurs debut on Saturday.
Midfielders
João Palhinha (CM)—Newcastle are without Joelinton on Tuesday, so they won't be quite as physical in midfield, but Frank will nonetheless turn to Palhinha again after his dogged effort at the weekend.
Conor Gallagher (CM)—Probably don't need runners galore on home soil, but that does mean Frank could roll out a midfield pivot that isn't exactly renowned for its mastery of the build-up. They'll win duels, though.
Xavi Simons (AM)—The Dutchman was superb on his previous appearance in N17, and we desperately need him to conjure up some magic over the next few weeks.
Forwards
Wilson Odobert (RW)—Romero's red meant he barely got a chance to assert himself at the weekend, but he should be back in the XI here. Odobert's developing nicely, and there have been signs of the meek Frenchman taking responsbility in the final third.
Dominic Solanke (ST)—Solanke has an excellent record against Newcastle, and he'll be facing up against a error-prone defensive line on Tuesday night.
Mathys Tel (LW)—Frank has seldom trusted Tel this term, but I'd like to see the former Rennes starlet make a rare Premier League start here. These upcoming games are not going to be particularly fun, I suspect, but Tel has the ball-striking capabilities to produce something from nothing.