Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat at Arsenal effectively ended their hopes of achieving anything noteworthy in the Premier League this season.
All Spurs fans have to hold on to is manager Ange Postecoglou’s previous record of winning silverware in his second season with a club – a factor he highlighted earlier in the campaign.
With the season heading into a critical point, read on as we assess whether the Australian can enhance that impressive career statistic.
Europa League
Tottenham led the Europa League table earlier in the campaign, but a run of three games without a win has sent them tumbling down the standings.
With two games left and only goal difference separating them from eighth-placed Rangers, they can still claw their way back up to avoid the play-off for the round of 16.
Spurs face TSG Hoffenheim in Germany in their next game. Hoffenheim have struggled in the Bundesliga and Europa League, making this a winnable fixture for Tottenham.
Spurs should be able to get a result against the Germans before welcoming IF Elfsborg to London. The Swedes are dangerous, but Postecoglou’s side should be gunning for maximum points.
The Europa League is a competition Spurs are capable of winning, but their recent results do not instil confidence in their chances.
Postecoglou’s side should make it through to the quarter-finals, but that may be as good as it gets for them in Europe this season.
FA Cup
Tottenham made a meal out of beating National League side Tamworth in the third round of the FA Cup. They eventually prevailed after extra time.
Tamworth held on for dear life for 90 minutes, baring their teeth when they got the chance to spring forward, but spent most of the game repelling waves of Tottenham attacks.
Tottenham were the bookmakers’ favourites but it looked like the magic of the cup would claim them as victims. Some betting sites in Australia, where Postecoglou is revered, were inundated with wagers from Aussie punters backing Spurs to trample on Tamworth.
The game went to extra time, and the Australian’s team eventually made their superiority count against Tamworth. It ended 3-0, setting up a fourth-round fixture with Aston Villa.
Tottenham will take confidence from their excellent recent record against Villa in domestic cups. Their last meeting in the FA Cup came in January 2017, where Spurs handed Villa a 2-0 beating.
They have also won their last two Premier League clashes with Villa, putting four past Unai Emery’s side on both occasions.
Tottenham have everything in their weaponry to make a deep run and win their first FA Cup since 1991, but they must perform better than they did against Tamworth.
League Cup
Tottenham have done the hard work in the League Cup, defeating Coventry City, Manchester City and Manchester United on their way to the semi-finals.
The football gods refused to smile on Spurs’ efforts and set them up to face league table-toppers Liverpool. Tottenham defied expectations to record a 1-0 victory in the first leg.
All Tottenham have to do at Anfield is hold on. This will be easier said than done. Postecoglou’s tactics do not allow for cowardice, but they have the lead and can benefit from shutting up shop.
Crucial to victory in this fixture will be Postecoglou setting his gung-ho attacking philosophy aside for the greater good.
Their makeshift defence of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin will collapse if they employ a high defensive line against Mohamed Salah and co at Anfield.
However, they frustrated Liverpool in the first leg and should back themselves to go through with a positive result next month.
The League Cup is Tottenham’s easiest path to a trophy. Newcastle United are in pole position to reach the final after winning 2-0 at Arsenal.
While the Magpies are no pushovers, Tottenham are perfectly capable of beating them to ensure Postecoglou delivers on his second season silverware promise.