Top four finish?

[Good Doctor M]

There's a long way to go. But the early signs are good. With what was a sluggish start, a goal shy Harry Kane and a few new additions in set-up Ali, Toby, Son and Dier playing in a new position, we've had a great month. The team, if we can avoid any serious injuries and get Kane to the transfer window in one piece, will improve steadily I feel, game by game.

Our fitness is fantastic so we shouldn't experience any burn out. One can hope anyway. We're out of the League Cup and that could be a big positive for us. We're taking the Europa seriously but Poch been utilising the squad well so far.

There's still room for the team to gel further, but Jesus guys, the signs are good. If we can get a win tomorrow, we'd have to start thinking it a possibility. If we can get a striker in to take some pressure off Harry early doors in January, then I think it's possible.

The spirit in the team is visibly better than it's been for years. There's no reason why we can't get Top 4, as long as we can go to places like Swansea and pick up those away wins and keep our home form ticking over as is, then I'd fancy us.

Christian still has to get his season underway but Jan and Toby have looked very comfortable with each other. With Davies surprising a lot of us, we've got a really, really solid set of options at the back. We have a young, almost absurdly hungry, energetic midfield and a forward line that has creativity and guile in Son, Erikson, Lamela and Kane. I mean, we're in very good shape all over the field. If we had a second striker to help Harry, I don't think we have anything at all that would need addressing in January.


But it's Spurs... I know how this ends most of the time. But we've never been in better shape in the last four seasons. I certainly believe in this squad and I haven't felt like that since Harry left.

 

[am_yisrael_chai]

I think this is likely a unique season where not only the top 4 positions are more open than ever but the title itself is more open. All of last season's top 4 look vulnerable in different ways. Not saying we will win the league but it is there for the taking.

 

[Good Doctor M]

I think this is likely a unique season where not only the top 4 positions are more open than ever but the title itself is more open. All of last season's top 4 look vulnerable in different ways. Not saying we will win the league but it is there for the taking.

Certainly the way the league is panning out you do get the feeling that any team in the top half that goes on a decent run for five our six games will find themselves in the top two or three spaces at least up until Christmas, but I still can't see past City. They had a nightmare with us, but that bounce back today shows that they've got at least a temperment to dust themselves down and get right back on top. They won't win the CL, but they're better than any team in England. Their squad is excellent and I'd be gobsmacked if they aren't sitting top by the end Christmas and have it sown up with a good three or four games to go.

Utd I think for second and then I reckon there could be a sizeable gap to third.

3rd-5th could be anyone from maybe six or seven teams. It's certainly more open, but the money team monopoly at the very top, I can't see being broken.

 

[mano-obe]

13/2 seems tight odds, I'm sure at the start of the season they would have been more generous. With Chelsea's stuttering start it will be low right now. Come a few months before the end of the season I wouldn't be surprised if it's closer to 33-1, it's just the Spurs way

 

[mano-obe]

Can't believe some people on here. One week we are going to finish mid-table and the next we are favourites for top four.

I know, it's a joke mate. I reckon we'll win the title instead!!!!

 

[Mr Pink]

Its a long hard season but the top four will never be so open.

The good news for us is that we'll get better as the season wears on IMO. We've also got a young squad, and what we lack in experience we'll more than make up for with energy and desire.

If we can continue to pick up points at a decent rate for the next few weeks we could be in a fantastic position coming up to the festive period.

Personally I think we stand a really good chance providing the injury situation doesn't worsen.

 

[Ironskullll]

I think 13/2 or 6/1 are fair odds, not too optimistic. They recognise that 5/6/7 is most likely but acknowledge that there is a chance of better with a bit of luck. I think the fanbase needs to recognise that if 4th is to be achieved then it'll be by the team having been pushed through hard times, through imperfect and frustrating performances. Imagine if a team such as Leicester or Crystal Palace achieves 4th. There is a chance. Imagine the atmosphere in their grounds and the impact it will have despite 2-5 home reversals to teams such as Arsenal. Our fanbase would need to match that for us to get 4th, because the team's probably not good enough to do it on their own. What are the chances?

 

[am_yisrael_chai]

Certainly the way the league is panning out you do get the feeling that any team in the top half that goes on a decent run for five our six games will find themselves in the top two or three spaces at least up until Christmas, but I still can't see past City. They had a nightmare with us, but that bounce back today shows that they've got at least a temperment to dust themselves down and get right back on top. They won't win the CL, but they're better than any team in England. Their squad is excellent and I'd be gobsmacked if they aren't sitting top by the end Christmas and have it sown up with a good three or four games to go.

Utd I think for second and then I reckon there could be a sizeable gap to third.

3rd-5th could be anyone from maybe six or seven teams. It's certainly more open, but the money team monopoly at the very top, I can't see being broken.

I don't see United as being certain for top 4 let alone second. They have been playing poorly but picking up points but that won't last. Tomorrow's game against the goons will be illuminating in terms of their true form.

I agree City have the best squad but I think their coach is mentally weak and that transmits to the team so while they should win it, it wouldn't surprise if they don't.

 

[beats1]

Beats what are you smoking lol.

Nothing, 2 weeks ago some people were crazy and overreacting saying how we had a shocking start, we had one great game but overall we should have picked up more points than we have to reach our top 4 target at the moment we are heading for a similar finish to last season

Haha how is that harder than playing the entire top four; five of the top 7? Even if you take Manu Utd out of that because it's not in the last 6, really?

The table after 7 games isn't an indication of the top 7. Does anyone really believe Crystal Palace and Leicester are top 7 teams. Also as I said in the post before our rivals namely Everton, Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal and before today West ham had better starts than us.

Fair enough West Ham I don't expect to be there but they have had a better start

Edit: Not to mention Chelsea, they might be shocking now but they are too good to finish out the top 4. When they are playing this bad we have to create a gap otherwise when they go in title form, which they have the ability to, we will have to be almost certainly near that.

At the moment we are heading towards getting 70 points if things go well and I don't think that will be enough this season

 

[NickHSpurs]

Please let's not get carried away because of one result. Put things into context for one second. Say for arguments sake we lost 1-0 to City, we'd be sitting 12th/13th having scored just 5 goals in 7 games.

Them four goals and 3 points make such a huge difference to how we're perceived. Yes it was a huge result and a massive step in the right direction but it was exactly that, a step. Let's take a few more forward steps before we start talking about top four again!

 

[Mr Pink]

Nothing, 2 weeks ago some people were crazy and overreacting saying how we had a shocking start, we had one great game but overall we should have picked up more points than we have to reach our top 4 target at the moment we are heading for a similar finish to last season

The table after 7 games isn't an indication of the top 7. Does anyone really believe Crystal Palace and Leicester are top 7 teams. Also as I said in the post before our rivals namely Everton, Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal and before today West ham had better starts than us.

Fair enough West Ham I don't expect to be there but they have had a better start

Edit: Not to mention Chelsea, they might be shocking now but they are too good to finish out the top 4. When they are playing this bad we have to create a gap otherwise when they go in title form, which they have the ability to, we will have to be almost certainly near that.

At the moment we are heading towards getting 70 points if things go well and I don't think that will be enough this season

I wasn't one of them, so that point means literally nothing to me.

Its been a pretty good start to the season though all things considered, no matter how you try and spin it.

 

[beats1]

Please let's not get carried away because of one result. Put things into context for one second. Say for arguments sake we lost 1-0 to City, we'd be sitting 12th/13th having scored just 5 goals in 7 games.

Them four goals and 3 points make such a huge difference to how we're perceived. Yes it was a huge result and a massive step in the right direction but it was exactly that, a step. Let's take a few more forward steps before we start talking about top four again!

I agree totally and that was my point in relation to poor start. Yes we aren't doing too bad in the league but at the moment if we are thinking about top 4, its been a poor start considering Everton, Arsenal, Man Yoo and Man City are already in front of us whilst Chelsea who you can't write off are behind us.

I wasn't one of them, so that point means literally nothing to me.

Its been a pretty good start to the season though all things considered, no matter how you try and spin it.

Im not spinning anything and in actual fact been dot in the middle about the start

I was merely highlighting people here were overreacting to a poor start and now people are imo overreacting the other way to what people called a poor start before the city game, by now saying it is good. We should be beating the likes of Leicester away, Stoke and imo Everton at home if we want to be a top 4 team

Those imo poor results, as at the end of the season, people will say we were only 3 or 4 points away from finishing in the top 4 and that itself is a good sign but we will look at those games in which dropped points against poor sides(when leicester drift back down to 15th).

As NickHspurs said if we lost against City we would be 12/13th and people would overreacting and saying we are a mid table side at the moment the margins are fine.

To be a top four club we have to be better than at least one top 4 clubs and whilst being better than all the top 4 prospect clubs(west ham/southampton/Liverpool/Everton/US) above us and atm we haven't achieved that

Such are the fine margins a win against Swansea will take us above some of those clubs and if the results go their way and our fortunes will change to a good start all of a sudden

Also I don't believe West Ham should be part of the above group but when you beat Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal away from home, sadly they have to be taken seriously

 

[Mr Pink]

I agree totally and that was my point in relation to poor start. Yes we aren't doing too bad in the league but at the moment if we are thinking about top 4, its been a poor start considering Everton, Arsenal, Man Yoo and Man City are already in front of us whilst Chelsea who you can't write off are behind us.

Im not spinning anything and in actual fact been dot in the middle about the start

I was merely highlighting people here were overreacting to a poor start and now people are imo overreacting the other way to what people called a poor start before the city game, by now saying it is good. We should be beating the likes of Leicester away, Stoke and imo Everton at home if we want to be a top 4 team

Those imo poor results, as at the end of the season, people will say we were only 3 or 4 points away from finishing in the top 4 and that itself is a good sign but we will look at those games in which dropped points against poor sides(when leicester drift back down to 15th).

As NickHspurs said if we lost against City we would be 12/13th and people would overreacting and saying we are a mid table side at the moment the margins are fine.

To be a top four club we have to be better than at least one top 4 clubs and whilst being better than all the top 4 prospect clubs(west ham/southampton/Liverpool/Everton/US) above us and atm we haven't achieved that

Such are the fine margins a win against Swansea will take us above some of those clubs and if the results go their way and our fortunes will change to a good start all of a sudden

Also I don't believe West Ham should be part of the above group but when you beat Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal away from home, sadly they have to be taken seriously

Nobody is saying its been a flying start, just a pretty good one.

You're droning on and on, when the fact of the matter is we've played pretty well, and without focusing on just points/results - the wider context suggests we've performed pretty well in most games.

That's a good start, there's no need to analyse things to the nth degree.

 

[Lighty64]

But we could be in 3rd or 4th for at least one day.

only if Arscum and Everton don't win, or at least outscore Everton.

after watching us in the Europa, i'm really hoping Son is fit pretty quickly. his pace has definitely been helpful in our climb. with his absence tomorrow i'm kinda hoping Poch gives Clinton a start.

think we really need to be looking at the table the end of November before we get too excited, Liverpool, Wet Spam, Arscum, and Chelscum amoung or next 7 fixtures.

 

[beats1]

Nobody is saying its been a flying start, just a pretty good one.

You're droning on and on, when the fact of the matter is we've done pretty well, and without focusing on just points/results - the wider context suggests we've performed pretty well in most games.

That's a good start, there's no need to analyse things to the nth degree.

Im not analysing the things to nth degree, but RAWK have something called the alternative pl table and last season it was a decent indication of where the teams finished near the end of the season as it shows and at the moment we need to continue this good form to achieve top 4. A swansea win would be a good step in the right direction

Again good start when considering how poor we been in the last 2 season but if we are thinking of top 4, we need to kick on and continue the good form and put in performances like the city game.

Every season we have a good result we don't follow up that form, that isn't a criticism of poch or anyone, its just spurs

I will post the alternative PL table if we win tomorrow but wont if we lose due to people saying that I'm being negative or anti poch, which is sad

 

[Mr Pink]

Im not analysing the things to nth degree, but RAWK have something called the alternative pl table and last season it was a decent indication of where the teams finished near the end of the season as it shows and at the moment we need to continue this good form to achieve top 4. A swansea win would be a good step in the right direction

Again good start when considering how poor we been in the last 2 season but if we are thinking of top 4, we need to kick on and continue the good form and put in performances like the city game.

Every season we have a good result we don't follow up that form, that isn't a criticism of poch or anyone, its just spurs

I will post the alternative PL table if we win tomorrow but wont if we lose due to people saying that I'm being negative or anti poch, which is sad

Post it anyway.

 

[TH1239]

This is by far the deepest talent pool in the history of the Premier League. Just look at all the teams with 10+ points already this season. The squads who are able to cope with multiple competitions and injuries will likely finish in the top 4. Our current starting XI is good enough, if fit and healthy, to make a push to finish in the top 4. The problem is that Pochettino cannot heavily rotate in Europa, as shown last Thursday, as he seemingly believes there is a enough of a drop-off between regulars and second team players that it can lead to losses. Given that we lost to Arsenal in the League Cup, Pochettino cannot afford to be dumped out at the group stage of Europa, which means many of our league starters will play the 4 coming games against Anderlecht, Monaco, and Qarabag.

The inevitable lack of rotation means that the squad over time will become fatigued. There's no way Kane, for instance, can continue playing 90 minutes every week. His form doesn't even warrant it currently. People can talk about Clinton Njie filling in, but if Poch isn't ready to play him against Monaco in a group stage match of Europa, I doubt he'd start him in the league as a lone striker (where he has little experience).

Our one chance of a top 4 finish is if we can be within shouting distance of the top 4 heading into February and Levy backs Pochettino with cash in January for a striker capable of scoring goals (someone like Batshuayi for instance). Given our past in that regard, I find that unlikely.

Despite all of that, what we've shown in the league since Sunderland has been very encouraging. I pinpointed this period of games as one of the toughest consecutive stretches in years for the club. We've not beaten Arsenal or Monaco, but the results overall have been pretty good still, though we need to consolidate our position by not losing either the Swansea of Liverpool matches.

 

[Lilbaz]

This is by far the deepest talent pool in the history of the Premier League. Just look at all the teams with 10+ points already this season. The squads who are able to cope with multiple competitions and injuries will likely finish in the top 4. Our current starting XI is good enough, if fit and healthy, to make a push to finish in the top 4. The problem is that Pochettino cannot heavily rotate in Europa, as shown last Thursday, as he seemingly believes there is a enough of a drop-off between regulars and second team players that it can lead to losses. Given that we lost to Arsenal in the League Cup, Pochettino cannot afford to be dumped out at the group stage of Europa, which means many of our league starters will play the 4 coming games against Anderlecht, Monaco, and Qarabag.

The inevitable lack of rotation means that the squad over time will become fatigued. There's no way Kane, for instance, can continue playing 90 minutes every week. His form doesn't even warrant it currently. People can talk about Clinton Njie filling in, but if Poch isn't ready to play him against Monaco in a group stage match of Europa, I doubt he'd start him in the league as a lone striker (where he has little experience).

Our one chance of a top 4 finish is if we can be within shouting distance of the top 4 heading into February and Levy backs Pochettino with cash in January for a striker capable of scoring goals (someone like Batshuayi for instance). Given our past in that regard, I find that unlikely.

Despite all of that, what we've shown in the league since Sunderland has been very encouraging. I pinpointed this period of games as one of the toughest consecutive stretches in years for the club. We've not beaten Arsenal or Monaco, but the results overall have been pretty good still, though we need to consolidate our position by not losing either the Swansea of Liverpool matches.

We didn't rotate too much in europe as we want to qualify quickly and also have a few injuries. If we beat anderlecht the team away in qarabag will look different.

 

[Mr Pink]

This is by far the deepest talent pool in the history of the Premier League. Just look at all the teams with 10+ points already this season. The squads who are able to cope with multiple competitions and injuries will likely finish in the top 4. Our current starting XI is good enough, if fit and healthy, to make a push to finish in the top 4. The problem is that Pochettino cannot heavily rotate in Europa, as shown last Thursday, as he seemingly believes there is a enough of a drop-off between regulars and second team players that it can lead to losses. Given that we lost to Arsenal in the League Cup, Pochettino cannot afford to be dumped out at the group stage of Europa, which means many of our league starters will play the 4 coming games against Anderlecht, Monaco, and Qarabag.

The inevitable lack of rotation means that the squad over time will become fatigued. There's no way Kane, for instance, can continue playing 90 minutes every week. His form doesn't even warrant it currently. People can talk about Clinton Njie filling in, but if Poch isn't ready to play him against Monaco in a group stage match of Europa, I doubt he'd start him in the league as a lone striker (where he has little experience).

Our one chance of a top 4 finish is if we can be within shouting distance of the top 4 heading into February and Levy backs Pochettino with cash in January for a striker capable of scoring goals (someone like Batshuayi for instance). Given our past in that regard, I find that unlikely.

Despite all of that, what we've shown in the league since Sunderland has been very encouraging. I pinpointed this period of games as one of the toughest consecutive stretches in years for the club. We've not beaten Arsenal or Monaco, but the results overall have been pretty good still, though we need to consolidate our position by not losing either the Swansea of Liverpool matches.

We;ll be able to rotate better when Mason, Bentaleb and Son return.

I do think we'll get another forward in January, so we should be able to get through until then providing Kane doesn't pick up a serious injury - which was always the risk.

In the interim he'll have to give one of the other options a go up top now and again to give Kane a breather.

 

[Matthew Wyatt]

Its a long hard season but the top four will never be so open.

The good news for us is that we'll get better as the season wears on IMO. We've also got a young squad, and what we lack in experience we'll more than make up for with energy and desire.

If we can continue to pick up points at a decent rate for the next few weeks we could be in a fantastic position coming up to the festive period.

Personally I think we stand a really good chance providing the injury situation doesn't worsen.

I agree with the rest of your post but can't see where you got the bolded part. I think since United lost their dominance the top four has been open more often than not. People on here said of previous 'open' seasons that it would never be so open again and we had to take our chance or lose it forever, but look, here we are again. It'll be open again in future seasons when our young, developing squad will be stronger and we'll have the increased revenue from the new stadium. Relax.