Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen believes that their away record against the big teams is something that ultimately may have let them down during the Premier League season.
Spurs have finished the campaign second in the table and travel to Hull for the final day as striker Harry Kane chases personal glory in the golden boot race.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are seven points behind champions Chelsea going into the final match and fell just short in the title race.
The north London club were the only serious competition to the Blues during the course of the season, but even their unbeaten home record wasn’t enough.
Spurs’ crucial defender Vertonghen feels that their away form can be improved next year and has vowed to make that happen.
“Why we fell short is obviously a difficult question to answer,” Vertonghen told Sky Sports. “I think we had a run in October, November, where we didn’t win in a series of games, and that obviously hurt us at the end of the season.
“We also didn’t win an away game against a top-six team all season, so you can always improve there, and I think we will. We will learn a lot from this year; obviously, we have this unbelievable home record, which we can count on, and we want to build an away record as well.”
Spurs were immaculate at home and signed off in style during their last ever season at White Hart Lane by going unbeaten.
However, their away form may have been the difference in catching Chelsea and they were unable to assert their dominance in games against the big sides.
They drew 1-1 to north London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, while losing 2-1 against champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino’s men also suffered defeats away to Manchester United and Liverpool during the campaign, while salvaging a 2-2 draw at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.
Antonio Conte’s away form has been a feature in their title success this year and may be something Spurs look to emulate in the future themselves.