Lee Dixon reckons that Tottenham may not “fulfil their potential” again this season, something which will only go away if they manage to win something.
Spurs have failed to progress in either the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup this season, with their remaining shot of winning a trophy coming in the Champions League after they progressed to the last 16 of the competition.
The former Arsenal defender believes that doubts over Tottenham’s mentality will only disappear if they can prove that they can win a trophy.
“You can put the current bad run down to tiredness – the World Cup effect – or that they lack the knowhow [to get] over the winning line, which has been a problem for them. Or have they just been unlucky? They caught Burnley on a good day and Chelsea won 2-0 with one shot on target,” he told BBC Sport.
“As a top team you are always tested and the really top teams keep answering the questions – that means winning a trophy. There are certain question marks over the mentality of Tottenham that will never go away until they tick the winning box, that is how it should be.
“They need to learn from the past but by the end of the season they may not fulfil their potential again. That only goes away when you win something. Until the arms go aloft with a trophy over your head, they will be answering those questions.”
OPINION
Tottenham are effectively out of the Premier League title race after losing to Burnley last weekend and losing to Chelsea in midweek, so that is yet another trophy that they have been ruled out of winning for yet another season. A trophy continues to elude boss Mauricio Pochettino with every passing season, and Dixon is right – the doubts surrounding their menatlity will only go away if they manage to secure some silverware. They have been blowing hot and cold this season and the number of times they have been counted in the title race then ruled out of it is countless. The possibility of them winning the Champions League this season is very slim indeed due to the calibre of the other teams involved, so Dixon is right to say that they may not fulfil their potential once again. Every season, they get so close to winning something – and then something happens that ensures that it is snatched away from them.