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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou arrived in England last summer on the back of a successful two-year stint with Scottish Premiership giants Celtic.
The affable Australian had breathed fire into the Hoops, guiding them to a domestic double in his first season and the treble in the 2022/23 campaign.
He then took on the unenviable task of rebuilding the confidence of a Spurs team that had failed to qualify for European competitions and lost striker Harry Kane.
They struggled under Antonio Conte and Cristian Stellini last season and needed a breath of fresh air, and Postecoglou has delivered the goods.
Postecoglou quickly imposed his high-octane style of play on the squad, along with an aggressive high defensive line that dared opponents to breach it.
Summer arrivals Micky van de Ven, James Maddison, Ashley Phillips, Guglielmo Vicario, Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson boosted the squad, giving Spurs fans hope of a brighter future.
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Will Postecoglou Guide Tottenham into the Top Four?
Tottenham began their campaign with a 2-2 draw away at Brentford before claiming consecutive wins against Manchester United, Bournemouth, Burnley and Sheffield United.
They also forced a 2-2 draw with rivals Arsenal and went on to lead the Premier League after ten games. Tottenham were suddenly in the title mix.
Unfortunately, matchday 11 brought a slew of misfortune as influential duo Maddison and Van de Ven picked up injuries against Chelsea while Destiny Udogie and Cristian Romero were sent off.
Spurs had lost their first league game of the campaign, but the injuries and suspensions were just as damaging. They lost three consecutive matches before bouncing back with three wins on the trot.
However, they were stunned by Brighton & Hove Albion, who beat them 4-2 in their last match to halt their momentum. Despite the setback, Spurs are well-placed to build on that incredible start.
They are currently in fifth position, with Manchester City and Aston Villa just ahead of them. The Villains have been in stellar form, but may struggle to maintain their position.
Tottenham can capitalise on any Villa slip-ups if Postecoglou keeps the attacking spark alive while plugging defensive holes with strategic January signings. Consistency is key.
Sports bettors undoubtedly have a tricky task predicting whether Villa or Tottenham will finish in the top four alongside Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City this season.
Leading sports betting apps have handed Tottenham odds of 2.25 to finish in the top four, while Villa are priced at 2.00 – effectively, it is a coin flip.
Tottenham look strong enough to keep themselves in the running for the top four until the final days of the season. If they can strengthen their squad in January, they should be able to clinch the fourth Champions League spot.
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The January Transfer Window is Crucial
Following the setbacks against Chelsea, it became evident that Spurs needed to reinforce their paper-thin squad if they wanted to challenge for silverware this season.
Tottenham missed the playmaking of Maddison, and even though Giovani Lo Celso has done his best to fill the gap, he does not possess the Englishman’s passing ability.
The absence of Van de Ven, Romero and Udogie also exposed how light they are at the back. Postecoglou has urged technical director Johan Lange to get new signings through the door early.
They need reinforcements in central defence and midfield, and another attacker to carry the scoring burden would not go amiss. The moves would bolster their prospects of building on their promising start.
Tottenham may not be able to compete for the Premier League title this season, but the right additions in the winter transfer window will strengthen them as they look to secure a top-four finish before aiming to build from there.
The summer will be more interesting as they must sign a replacement for Kane. They will also need to add a midfielder to bolster their ranks if Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leaves.
FA Cup: A Shot at Glory?
Tottenham crashed out of the League Cup after suffering a penalty shoot-out defeat against Fulham earlier this season.
They will be desperate to make amends in the FA Cup when they take on Burnley on January 5. Spurs face the Clarets in London and will back themselves to get past Vincent Kompany’s side.
Tottenham have home advantage against Burnley and should reach the fourth round. They are priced at 15.00 to lift the trophy and could be a value bet to go all the way this season.
The FA Cup represents the perfect opportunity for Postecoglou to mark his first year in England with a trophy – which would be a first for Tottenham since their League Cup triumph in 2008.
Tottenham last won the FA Cup in 1991 with a squad featuring top players such as Paul Gascoigne, Gary Lineker and Gary Mabbutt.
Spurs have made the semi-final twice in the last 10 years, but they have exited in the fifth round in the past two seasons.
While the Premier League title may seem a bridge too far this term, a blistering run in the FA Cup coupled with a top-four finish would cement Postecoglou’s arrival as a resounding success.
The 58-year-old has rekindled the club’s attacking spirit, and Spurs fans can hold their breath in anticipation of what this audacious team will achieve in the coming months.
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