The start to the season was undoubtedly impeccable, one that saw a long disgruntled Tottenham Hotspur unexpectedly sitting top of the Premier League table on 26 points through 10 games.<\/p>\n
Then came the reality check that brought with it a sobering effect that was threateningly calamitous that even the most pessimistic of Spurs\u2019 fans wouldn\u2019t have expected in their wildest nightmares.<\/p>\n
A shocking 4-1 loss to Chelsea, followed up with a dramatic 2-1 loss to Wolves a week later, and multiple players injured and suspended all ended up with the Tottenham space shuttle come crashing back to Earth in a decidedly inglorious fashion.<\/p>\n
Hardcore fans of the Lilywhites probably found the the Chelsea match the most bitter pill to swallow as it was one that was formulated from a mixed alchemy of potent rivalry, mixed emotions and long suppressed frustration. The highly-anticipated return of former Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino \u2013 now helming an eternal rival\u2019s most expensively-assembled squad \u2013 definitely made for an emotional contest, no less.<\/p>\n
Dejan Kulusevski\u2019s opener after just six minutes immediately launched Spurs into dreamland, albeit shortlived, as from then on, what had begun as gloriously beautiful football devolved into chaotic bewilderment.<\/p>\n
VAR undeniably hogged the spotlight with disallowed goals for Spurs\u2019 Heung-min Son, Chelsea\u2019s Raheem Sterling and Moises Caicedo, which also signalled the start of Tottenham\u2019s downfall.<\/p>\n
Another VAR review saw center-back Cristian Romero being off for a challenge on Enzo Fernandez inside the box, ending up with Cole Palmer equalizing for the Blues from the spot.<\/p>\n
Injuries sustained by Micky van de Ven and James Maddison at the end of the first half confirmed that both stars will be unavailable until at least the New Year.<\/p>\n
The second half proved to be even more of a nightmare on Elm Street for Tottenham, as Destiny Udogie was the second player flashed the red card by referee Michael Oliver after a reckless challenge while on a yellow card brought Spurs down to nine men, which was was when guillotine came crashing down.<\/p>\n
Spurs continued to defend valiantly while still attempting to launch pernicious attacks but a late Nicolas Jackson hat-trick only served to add to the demolitions.<\/p>\n
The Wolves match had much less controversy but more genuine disappointment as this was supposedly a struggling side from the Midlands that Big Ange\u2019s side \u2013 albeit effectively his \u2018B Team\u2019 as multiple core starters had been injured or suspended. However, a second consecutive start for Welsh winger Brennan Johnson resulted in him scoring his first goal for the club with his second start. \u00a0The Welshman effectively got Spurs up and running after just three minutes at the Molineux.<\/p>\n
Spurs continued to command the match, seemingly waiting to rebound from the embarrassment vs Chelsea with three points on the road. However Pablo Sarabia\u2019s entry in the 87th minute sealed an absolute stunner in the 91st minute, before setting up midfielder Mario Lemina for Wolves\u2019 97th-minute winner, leaving the Spurs\u2019 squad bewildered.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s how Postecoglou and company dropped precipitously from 1st to 4th in the table in the space of a week. However it is still very early in the season, and two losses in a row cannot in any way serve as omens portending the final outcome for the season. That said, Spurs fans are understandably worried about what\u2019s coming next after the sudden turn of events.<\/p>\n
Postecoglou has insisted from the beginning of his tenure that the 2023\/24 season is at a transitional one for the club as the squad familiarizes themselves with his play style during the rebuild. Yet one can hardly fault the diehard Spurs\u2019 fans for reveling in the unprecedented success so early on in this Postecoglou era that has rapidly raised expectations to beyond where it\u2019s only too convenient to forget just how young, inexperienced, and raw this Spurs squad really is.<\/p>\n
All things considered, the vibes are still justifiably high in North London, and a few knocks along the way are only to be expected after the euphoria of the earlier months.<\/p>\n
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