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As much as I don’t like to admit it the Spurs are looking like they’re in position for relegation unless there’s some magical inspiration from the squad.

I remember at before the season began seeing the Spurs launching videos on YouTube introducing Thomas Frank — he looked like he was the perfect fit for Tottenham and there was an assumption after his stint at Brentford that he’d be the man at the helm to get the Spurs over the drought of success they’ve been feeling.

Well, reality has been much more of a stark contrast to the hope that was felt then. Frank only managed to last 8 months before being replaced by Igor Tudor. I’ve heard talk from he never could gain control of the squad, to the injuries have been too much to surmount or that it’s simply more of an organizational issue.

I can’t say exactly what the cause is, but looking at the players attitudes and demeanor even under Tudor has been some of the most uninspiring football I’ve watched in some time. With no wins in the last 10 with draws against Man City and Burnley (ouch) and the most recent 1-3 loss against Crystal Palace it’s genuinely shocking for a club of their size and their historic home dominance is just…gone.

The North London Derby versus Arsenal on the 22nd of Feb left them with a 1-4 loss. Being absolutely hammered by your rivals at home while flirting with relegation is truly nightmare fuel for the Spurs. I hate to draw this comparison, but I’m a Cincinnati Bengals fan in NFL Football and there’s some genuinely striking similarities in Tottenham’s history with the Bengals certainly having lower-lows, from a purely vibes or feeling perspective.

I get it and I know what it feels like when the players just look purely uninspired. However one quick note, I do wish the Bengals might try a new coach… just saying.

With 9 games left, 29 points and one point above the drop zone — I really wonder how these next matches look. In the Champions League on March 10th they have Atlėtico Madrid which I can’t say looks good for the Spurs. March 15th is against a Liverpool team that is showing a strong pace that I’m not sure the Spurs can match. March 18th is right back at Atlėtico Madrid.

March 22nd against Nottingham Forest might be the game that (for me) truly decides if the Spurs will continue to be in the Premier League next season. I believe if they can’t hold down Forest they are looking very much like a championship team. I won’t press into their April games just yet, but they’ll be against Sunderland, Brighton, and Wolves in order.

I do think that’s a bit of a lighter challenge that could benefit them, but Sunderland are tough, Brighton can be a surprise and is clearly better this season and honestly the Wolves can be a wild card themselves in the last few weeks. However, the Spurs NEED to get three points from at least Nottingham Forest and Wolves for me. If they don’t — maybe it’ll be time to start thinking of the positives that could come out of relegation. Somehow.. sorry.

Will Tudor go ultra-defense mode, consider a low block, deny any space and utilize something like a 4-4-2 or even 5-4-1. Certainly the 3-5-2 against Arsenal did not work. Does the squad have the character to respond? I’m not certain.

I’d like to wrap back around to this in mid-April or early May to see where things stand. I need to spend a bit more time looking at some past data from matches with success and failures. Football is a sport that does indeed run on fine margins due to injuries, attitude, having the right manager, and organization behind them. I do have to say the Spurs fans have been quite supportive, even in their booing, it’s clearly from a place of knowing to expect better from the team and not getting it.

Note after posting: It’s now being teased that Igor Tudor may be at jeopardy ALREADY of being sacked. Wow – I’ll do another edit if it’s a yes, but just wow.