Tottenham’s season has gone off the rails in the past few weeks.
The 3-0 defeat at Manchester United last month was a sign that Mauricio Pochettino’s side were not ready for a Champions League campaign, given the way in which they simply fell apart at Old Trafford.
They have followed up that game by scraping past bottom club Leicester 4-3 at White Hart Lane, and then producing a contender for worst game of the season in the goalless draw at Burnley on Sunday.
The gap between themselves and fourth placed Manchester City is now eight points, and whilst a top four finish seems almost impossible, Pochettino will be trying to rally his troops for the final six games and hope to pick up as many points as possible.
The Argentine will be hoping to make a better go of it next term having had a year in charge under his belt. Here we have identified five things he and the Tottenham fans may have learnt from the 2014-15 campaign so far.
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Click on Mauricio Pochettino to reveal five things we have learnt from Tottenham’s season
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Harry Kane might be the best player to play for Tottenham in the world…ever
The 2014-15 season will be remembered by Tottenham fans as the year in which Harry Kane became their new hero.
‘One of their own’ Kane has fired 29 goals in all competitions, and carried Pochettino’s side for much of the season.
He didn’t make his first Premier League start until November, and you can’t help but wonder what might have been had he played from the beginning of the campaign.
Next season will be about proving he is here to do it for the long term, whilst a striker to support him must be a transfer priority for Pochettino in the summer.
Roberto Soldado might be the worst player to play for Tottenham in the world…ever
The Spaniard is still popular at White Hart Lane, with reports suggesting he is a lovely guy off the pitch, and he always tries his best… he’s just rubbish isn’t he?
Some suggested this might be his season having had a year to adapt to English football, yet the £26million man has done even worse than he did last year.
Soldado has managed five goals in 35 appearances this term, only one of which has come in the Premier League.
Surely he will be moved on in the summer?
Christian Eriksen is a special talent
Having spent close to £100million on new players in the summer of 2013, the only one to emerge from all that spending with any credit is Christian Eriksen.
The Dane has been Tottenham’s outstanding player alongside Harry Kane this season, with nine goals and two assists from that attacking midfield position.
His set pieces have been particularly effective, and at 23 there is plenty more to come from the Ajax man. It is now crucial Tottenham hang onto him, given the fact they look set to miss out on the Champions League once again this season.
Lamela was an absolute rip off
Like Soldado, some predicted Lamela would come good this season having had a year to adapt to life in English football.
The Argentine brought himself some time with that stunning rabona goal in the Europa League, but what else has he contributed?
Tottenham fans continue to hear how much potential the former Roma winger has, but he has shown if on far too few occasions.
For £30million, we have learnt this season that Roma did a job on Tottenham in recouping that much for his signature.
There are reasons to be positive going forward
The top four looks set to end up being beyond Tottenham this term, but all in all it has been a decent first season in charge for Pochettino, and one which should have given fans a reason to be optimistic for the future.
Young talents the likes of Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason and especially Harry Kane have impressed, whilst Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen make up the core of potentially a very good side.
It may well depend on the new signings he can attract in the summer, but there have been some memorable performances this season – the victories over Chelsea and Arsenal in particular – whilst their new pressing style and habit of scoring late goals also indicates the future is bright under Pochettino at White Hart Lane.
