? Exclusive images from Jose Mourinho’s first training session.
View the full gallery ? #THFC ?? #COYS— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 20, 2019
It has been a difficult season for Tottenham Hotspur fans. But as we enter the final third of the campaign, there is room for optimism. When Jose Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino on November 20, 2019, Spurs were sat in 14th place in the table, 11 points adrift of the top four. Now they are just one point behind fourth-ranked Chelsea and through to the fifth round of the FA Cup and the knockout phase of the Champions League thanks to a 4-2 win over Olympiakos following Mourinho’s arrival.
Hope springs eternal
That means that March, April and May could provide some excitement for fans of the North London team. There is a wealth of sport to look forward to this springtime: Tiger Roll will be aiming for his third-straight Grand National win. The other Tiger (Woods) will be defending his US Masters golf title. And F1 betting favourite Lewis Hamilton will look to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven World Championship titles and Jim Clark’s record of eight race Grand Slams (pole, win, fastest lap and leading every lap). Football’s elite competitions will also reach their climaxes during this period. But will Spurs fans also have something to cheer about?
Realistic targets
Breaking into the top four would be a massive achievement considering where Mourinho’s men were in November. Winning the Champions League might be too much to ask but Spurs can draw on their experience of last season. And they now have a two-time Champions League-winning manager at the helm.
Mourinho has also won five major domestic trophies in England including the FA Cup with Chelsea. So there is a genuine reason to believe that the club could land some silverware before the season is over. If the Portuguese boss can achieve in seven months what Pochettino failed to deliver in five-and-a-half-years, it would fully justify the club’s decision to appoint him in November.
Spurs starting to entertain
What’s more, the style of football has started to improve in recent weeks. Yes, there are still some negatives. They can be wasteful in possession and can lack concentration at the back. And they must improve their away form. But Spurs are playing some attractive football – something that was not expected from Mourinho whose Manchester United side were dire to watch at times.
Injury blow for Son
There is still a long way to go. And the news that Heung-Min Son could be out for a number of weeks with a fractured arm is not good. But Spurs could have both Son and Harry Kane back for the final games of the season which could also include crucial cup matches if the club progresses that far.
20 – 20 of Tottenham’s 43 Premier League goals this season have been scored by injured duo Harry Kane (11) and Son Heung-Min (9) – the next highest goalscorer for Spurs is Dele Alli on seven. Conundrum. pic.twitter.com/lKlQR0pXxS— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 18, 2020
In a period of the year where many sports really come alive, Tottenham will be hoping to go from strength-to-strength. They can now put the dismal early days of the campaign behind them. And look to a bright new future under one of the game’s most decorated managers.
Exactly where do you expect the goals to come from in the next half a dozen games? By the time Son and Kane come back our season will be over.
All we can hope for is a good transfer window.
What games have you been watching ?
The style has improved…attractive football ???
Is this a fucking wind up!