Tottenham fans here in the Transfer Tavern are glad Pochettino has been able to get Spurs in the top four this season. Indeed, after some hope of a title challenge emerged over previous seasons, this year was all about a straight race to the automatic Champions League qualifying spots.

Spurs have had a few good seasons in recent years, being in and around the title race in the past three years but this season, things haven’t clicked like they had been doing. Mauricio Pochettino and his team are currently fourth in the league, mainly thanks to their London rivals Chelsea’s dramatic slide down the table and in form this calendar year.

Under Pochettino, Spurs have gone from strength to strength and it’s looking like this year is another type of challenge for the Argentine. Daniel Levy will no doubt once again be looking to wheel and deal in the transfer market this summer to push the team forward in an effort to deliver top-level European football, which will be essential in their new stadium.

Many of our regulars believe a good 2018/19 season can really define Pochettino has a manager and his time at Spurs, although our landlord things these TWO things should be high on Argentine’s question list come May…

Drop in EPL Standards

A top-four finish is a must if Spurs are to level up into one of the big players in the league and Europe, especially when they move into their new stadium and, revenue-wise, it’s a huge priority for the board. Otherwise, some of Spurs’ top talents could be tempted with a move away from the club for pastures new. Luckily, the Lillywhites have all but got themselves there.

With that in mind, after Pochettino’s recent showings in the league, this year will be put down as a failure, even though they have qualified for the UCL.

Learn from UCL experience

Spurs would have benefitted hugely from a good Champions League run, not only revenue wise for the new stadium but for the club itself. Indeed, if Pochettino is to start to elevate himself as a manager he needs to prove he can do it in Europe as well as in the Premier League. He needs to progress deep into the knock-out phases next year as a minimum.

Indeed, the manner in which they imploded against Juventus in the second leg within a few minutes will be a major concern. A semi-final must be a target for Poch and the Spurs board with them surely learning from this season’s costly concentration lapses.