da wazamba： Looking at Tottenham as an outsider, one might say they have massively under-achieved during their rich and illustrious history. They are a hugely recognised club outside these shores, despite never winning the European Cup – although they won the inaugural UEFA Cup back in 1972 (winning it again in 1984) and the Cup Winners Cup in 1963 which may go some way to explaining their fame abroad. And although they have a fine pedigree in the FA Cup, they have never dominated domestically, winning the league title only twice – once in the 50’s and once in the 60’s. This is despite the club having such a large fan base, coming from one of the richest capital cities in the world, and having had some of the best known players known globally to play for them over the years. So the question has to be asked – why have they not won more?
da bwin： For a team who has won nothing but two League Cup’s since 1991, and qualified for the Champions League only once, Tottenham Hotspur have continued to attract some great players from home and abroad over the years, spending big money at times in the process. Their recent emergence as a ‘top four’ challenger in the last few years, has become even more baffling, in light of the perceived ‘need’ for a club to have a billionaire foreign investor of some kind, which Tottenham do not. However Tottenham continue to always remain at the forefront of transfer activity in England, which has intensified tenfold during the reign of Harry Redknapp.
During the Premier League era Tottenham’s fans were getting used to finishing in mid-table obscurity but in recent years, especially under Redknapp’s charge, things have looked decidedly better. Upon joining Spurs, Redknapp took them to another League Cup final (losing on penalties). Then, in his first full season in charge he guided Spurs to their best ever Premier League campaign, finishing fourth and qualifying for the Champions League. This was followed up with an impressive run in the clubs first appearance in Europe’s top competition, and a fifth place finish in the league. Yet, no silverware has still been won, outside the League Cup victories, since 1991. Is this down to complacency?
Have Tottenham developed something of a self-defeating condition? For all the pros they have over other clubs, when things seem to be going great, Spurs seem to fall at the last hurdle. Even in the season they appeared to finally jump a last hurdle, and in doing so, breaking the ‘big four’s’ monopoly and qualifying for the Champions League, they failed to kick on, following it up finishing outside the top four again. In their commendable first appearance in the Champions League, they beat holders Inter Milan, whilst dumping out European giants AC Milan, and appeared to be riding on the crest of a wave – only to be sent crashing out in the very next round by Real Madrid.
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Of course, it doesn’t help that Spurs have to compete with a lot of ‘super’ teams in today’s day and age, both domestically and abroad. The Premier League now appears to be its most competitive for years, with six clubs realistically fighting it out for only four Champions League places, not to mention the domestic honours. Also, over the years when it comes to crunch matches against ‘top four’ opposition, Spurs have struggled. During the last 10 seasons they have played Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool on 80 occasions in total and won only 11. Spurs need to change this stat and improve their consistency by ridding themselves of any complacency issues. Or maybe it isn’t complacency at all. After all, as pointed out Spurs have strangely won very little in their history, especially when held in comparison to other clubs, so have struggled to ever establish a winning mentality. If they are to shed their image as one of the most under-achieving sides in football, either complacency or mentality must be changed. But which is it?
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