Tottenham have reason for optimism even if they exit Champions League

Tottenham’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread, but there are reasons for optimism regardless.

When Tottenham squeaked over the line against PSV Eindhoven in their last Champions League match, a come-from-behind 2-1 win, a sense of relief hung over Wembley.

The victory kept Spurs’ slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds alive. Subsequent wins against Crystal Palace and, more notably, Chelsea have returned a feel-good air to a club that have seemed somewhat somber this season, despite enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League campaign.

A draw or loss against Inter Milan at Wembley on Wednesday, however, could threaten that positivity. With Barcelona looming in the final game of the group, even a win might not be enough to save Mauricio Pochettino’s side from their second Champions League group stage exit in three seasons, a record that will do little to dispel the suggestion the club will be satisfied as long as they keep finishing in the Premier League’s top four.

Much of the frustration this season has been directed at the club’s administrators, not their players or manager. Spurs have spent more than a year without a home stadium, and as the move-in date for their new ground has been pushed back, a lack of significant transfer activity has only come to appear more glaring.

But for the first time since he arrived at the club, Pochettino has also experienced his share of criticism this season. He was booed in that PSV game for taking off Lucas Moura and replacing him with Fernando Llorente, a decision that eventually paid off when Llorente laid the ball off to Harry Kane to score the equalizer.

Pochettino is overwhelmingly popular, as he should be given what he’s pulled off over the last few seasons, but those boos were indicative of the tension surrounding the club. With the stadium issue yet to be resolved, an early Champions League exit could spell trouble.

And so it’s worth underlining, as speculation about the future of Pochettino and several of his star players continues to swirl, that there’s still plenty of cause for optimism at the north London club.

Almost all of Spurs starting XI played deep into the World Cup over the summer, and when they failed to add to the squad, it sent people into a frenzy.

But the lack of signings has meant Spurs have had to adapt their game. They’ve had great performances, which have led to bad results, their naivety costing them, particularly in the Champions League. But they’ve also had average performances that have led to good results, which in part has led to their great start in the Premier League.

The rejuvenation of Erik Lamela and Moura after full preseasons is a breath of fresh air for Tottenham, as is Moussa Sissoko’s continued improvement. This has papered over injuries to Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli. Spurs are still competitive, third in the league after their win against Chelsea, and aren’t out of Champions League contention yet.

The problem is that until the stadium issues sort themselves out, we still have to expect the unexpected with Spurs. They can go away to a team like Manchester United and win handily, but then struggle against Cardiff at Wembley.

Tottenham have fought well this season, arguably their toughest year in recent history, with Pochettino saying this is the worst he’s felt during his time at Tottenham. But he also says he’s in it for the long haul, and it’s about time we start believing him.

Tottenham’s priority, as highlighted by their ever insightful manager, isn’t winning titles. Pochettino has been urging patience all season long, and with barely a quarter of it passed, we can expect to hear that a lot more.

Spurs fans have to be patient, at least until the new stadium finally opens up. It has been slated to be the best in England, and if it lives up to the hype, priorities may just shift, and Spurs can truly begin competing with the super clubs of Europe.

Spurs are planning for their future, and doing so very well. Daniel Levy has so far taken care of the most important things — tying down the manager and their best crop of young players to long-term contracts — while also freeing up funds for the stadium. In the meantime, Pochettino is utilizing every last drop of sweat he can from the aging members of the squad, Sissoko, Mousa Dembele, Jan Verthongen, Toby Alderweireld, while also grooming their replacements, Harry Winks, Davinson Sanchez and Juan Foyth.

The criticism directed at Spurs this season is understandable, but it’s important to take a long-term view, frustrating though that might be for their fans.

Tottenham have already done brilliantly so far, but still need to dig in for a tough couple of months. Should they keep this much-needed momentum up until the halfway point, they’ll be buoyed by their new stadium and can kick on to bigger things during the latter half of the season. Things may not be flowers and cotton candy in the white half of north London, but they will be getting better soon.