Tottenham’s Season Defining Week
Many people will argue it is far too soon to be claiming it is make or break for any team in Europe right now, and that is fully justified.
However, the simple fact remains that three points now is just as important as it is come April/May no matter what tournament you are in and right now Tottenham have the opportunity to get out of a rut and show the World that they must be taken seriously.
A trip to face Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night is a game Mauricio Pochettino must be targeting as winnable considering Inter are not quite the giants they once were.
Two years ago, Spurs inflicted a 6-1 preseason thumping on Internazionale and although little can be read into that, Tottenham will head into the game believing that defeat is one outcome that should not prevail.
However, Spurs fans may be a little concerned as the latest Tottenham news is that Kieran Trippier has not travelled to Italy and neither has Toby Alderweireld.
The trio of Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko are also absent due to injury meaning the strength in-depth of Tottenham’s squad will be sorely tested for the first time this season.
Upon returning from their European exploits, Pochettino’s men are faced with a trip to the South coast to face Chris Hughton’s Brighton.
Back to back Premier League loses are weighing heavy on the North Londoners and the Seagulls may spy an opportunity to get more points on the board.
Tottenham’s last visit to Brighton’s Amex Stadium saw them take a point back to Wembley after Pascal Groß netted a second half penalty for the Seagulls just moments after Harry Kane had put Spurs into the lead.
This time around Tottenham may be arriving on the South Coast at panic stations, but this is where Pochettino’s managerial skills will be tested to the maximum.
However, if Tuesday night goes to plan as does Saturday, then all is forgotten.
There are too many if’s and buts in football because at the end of the day there is only one thing that matters and that is winning games.
After Brighton, Tottenham face Huddersfield, Cardiff and then West Ham in a run of fixtures that the club will expect to do well in, and they could not come at a better time with the packed Champions League schedule to fit in.
This week will reveal all about Tottenham’s trophy winning credentials and we will learn whether Spurs are ready to mix it with the domestic and European elite for the long term.