The prospect of an apocalyptic relegation means it's pretty hard right now to think about "the future", yet there are decisions to be made this summer that could come to define the direction this football club takes.
Whether or not we remain in the Premier League, it's clear that there has to be a major shuffle from the top down. Ideally, CEO Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Johan Lange make way, hopefully allowing astuter minds (hopefully not Sebastian Kehl!) to appoint our new long-term manager and shape our playing squad.
It's unlikely that we're going to get everything we want, even if we end up in the second tier next season.
On the playing staff front, there's no understating the significance of the summer. There are going to be sweeping changes, and several players out on loan this season have stated their claim to be a part of the Lilywhites’ long-term plans.
Tottenham cannot lose Devine for pennies this summer
The homegrown Mikey Moore has dazzled in spurts up in Glasgow, but our most impressive loanee not named Luka Vušković this season has undoubtedly been box-to-box midfielder Alfie Devine.
It's been a huge year for Devine's development, thriving in the second tier. A brace against Stoke City on Friday night took his league tally for the season up to eight, meaning he's enjoyed the most productive campaign of his young career in terms of attacking output.
The 20-year-old's impressive performances mean Preston supporters are calling for the club to turn his loan into a permanent transfer. Reports after the deal was confirmed last August suggested the second-tier outfit have an option to buy Devine outright for £4.5m this summer.
"When you are at a club, the dream is always to play for them. Every single time I go back, that is something that I strive to do, and that’s my ambition."Devine on Spurs future
That option should frighten Spurs fans because it means that this board has a decision to make. As we've seen over the past few months, they aren't very good at doing the right thing. It wouldn't be a surprise if they sanctioned Devine's sale for a bargain price.
Instead, the young Englishman deserves the chance to shine in north London. The engine room is currently laden with not-too-dissimilar profiles, but it'd seem that Devine carries an extra chip on his shoulder, and is perhaps a more effective box-crasher than our current options.
In the event of relegation, Devine would likely be a Lilywhite regular, but his work in the Championship this season means I'm intrigued to see what he can produce at the highest level.