Tottenham Hotspur’s trophy drought has now stretched to a dying 17 years, leaving fans and pundits wondering about the future of titles at the club.
It’s hard to believe it’s been an incredible 6,000 days since Jonathan Woodgate’s famous header clinched victory over Chelsea in the 2008 Carabao Cup final. A time when it seemed the club was on the verge of greatness, and yet here we are, four decades later – a period which has seen just one FA Cup triumph and two League Cup victories since UEFA Cup glory of 1984.
The reality is harsh: during this trophyless era, other clubs have moved ahead – Manchester United with an impressive 31 trophies, Chelsea with 21, Liverpool with 19, Manchester City with 18, and Arsenal with 17 – eclipsing the meager harvest of Spurs. The notion that Spurs are still part of English football’s elite, the ‘Big Six’, looks increasingly fragile amid this barren period.
Former manager Mauricio Pochettino often said the reality was clear: Tottenham’s relationship with trophies has been bumpy at best. Since the euphoric days of the ’61 FA Cup double, the memory of the glory days has faded, merging into a narrative marked by incoherence.
Desperate efforts to ally with football’s giants led to a merry-go-round of managers, including controversial figures José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, where the club’s very identity seemed eclipsed by a “win at all costs” mentality. “. Now, under the astute leadership of Ange Postecoglou, Spurs are rediscovering a sense of adventure and looking to forge a new identity.
However, results have been spotty, with injuries worsening their situation and casting a shadow over their ambitions. A recent capitulation has seen them sailing closer to the relegation zone than the top four, raising questions about the consistency of their performances – clearly, opportunities to celebrate are running out amid a string of disappointing performances.
Additionally, protest chants targeting President Daniel Levy resurfaced, a clear sign of discontent among supporters. Expectations are high, especially with the looming semi-final against Premier League leaders Liverpool, who recently inflicted a heavy defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
As they prepare for this decisive match, Postecoglou faces increasing pressure. With injuries disrupting his team, he turned to new signings like goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who could provide the necessary support. The returns of key figures such as Rodrigo Bentancur and young talents like Mikey Moore could alleviate some concerns, but absences persist, creating uncertainty over the team’s composition.
Postecoglou’s tactical mentality has also evolved in response to the challenges faced within the team, adapting his formations to protect a fragile defense while keeping his attacking ethos largely intact.
Spurs’ needs are pressing; they need to harness the energy of their passionate fans while building on the strengths of players like Son Heung-min – who, after a well-deserved break, is crucial to their success if he returns to his mid-season level. final.
