All the hard work and the preparations and the hype. All that has come to nothing eventually with Tottenham Hotspur bottling it yet again and getting knocked out of the Champions League in the Group Stage. Having being handed a fairly easy group compared to a few others, there was real hope and anticipation amongst the Spurs’ faithful that a strong run was possible in this year’s UEFA Champions League. But a series of uncertain and disjointed displays has resulted in their early elimination and with the chance of Europa League football at most with a win against CSKA Moscow.
The Lilywhites, who have traditionally been termed as bottlers, once again showcased the reason why. While there are numerous negatives to come out of this failed campaign like their inability to navigate around teams who were inferior to them on paper and the questions regarding their big match mentality and the ability to handle pressure situations, Mauricio Pochettino will like to focus on the positive aspect as of now.
With the cut-throat competition underway in the Premier League, although it is too soon to be saying, there is a real possibility that Spurs might find it very difficult to breach the Top 4 by the time the season ends. Chelsea and Liverpool are firmly back into the fold and with Manchester City and Arsenal looking like good bets, it leaves Manchester United and Spurs fighting it out to dislodge at least one team from the roost.
Spurs have considerably strengthened their squad in the summer and have the personnel to deal with an added competition. The likes of Sissoko, Janssen, Winks, Wimmer, Trippier, Davies to name a few will certainly get chances to feature and impress the manager. And with the aforementioned threat very much possible, winning the Europa League and booking a spot in the UCL might not be the worst way to go about. Easier said than done, but they should look to have a real crack at it.
But for now, enjoy the seldom seen sense of humour of Arsenal fans as they, for obvious reasons, take a crack at Tottenham Hotspur.
*tottenham in CL*
Spurs: win to stay in the tournament in the easiest group
Inner Spurs: bottle it pic.twitter.com/aJoscMs4CI
— Aiden Shaw (@AidenShaw_) November 22, 2016
Only Tottenham would bottle a group with CSKA Moscow as the Pot 1 team
— Connor (@YouSonOfAMich) November 22, 2016
BREAKING: Spurs have announced that 80,000 tickets are now available for the game against CSKA Moscow. #UCL pic.twitter.com/oefoFbmuZF
— BetBright (@BetBright) November 22, 2016
Again, Tottenham Hotspur are gonna finish 3rd in a two horse race. And this is how Thursday Nights of Europa League are welcoming Spuds. pic.twitter.com/RyWtkwddWI
— Mesut Ozil (@TheMagicianGoat) November 22, 2016
Tottenham on their way out of the Champions League. pic.twitter.com/zUkQfdUr3U
— JOE.co.uk (@JOE_co_uk) November 22, 2016
TOTTENHAM ARE BACK
TOTTENHAM ARE BACKThursday night TV aint been the same without them
— NO MORE BEERS BAZZA (@bazzapowell) November 22, 2016
ALLthat potential that Tottenham posses now wasted to Thursday night Football.#SS Football#UCL pic.twitter.com/NUZjCeQoh9
— Lutho Mrwebi (@2freshLu) November 22, 2016
