Adrian Durham and Darren Gough have argued that Tottenham failing to finish in the top four would represent a “disaster season”.
Spurs drew Manchester City in the Champions League quarter final on Friday, and currently sit just one point ahead of fourth placed Arsenal in the Premier League.
Speaking on their talkSPORT show (March 15th, 17.00) on Friday evening, Durham and Gough argued that a European exit coupled with a top four collapse would represent a calamitous campaign for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Addressing the run in, Durham said: “Tottenham are going to be in a desperate fight to be in the top four.
They will be more desperate to stay in the top four than they will in the Champions League.
“You’ve got to hear what I’m saying here. They cannot go into that new stadium in the Europa.”
Gough added: “I get that. It’s vital.
“Just think about this Tottenham fans for a moment. If you do go out of the Champions League to Manchester City, and I’m not saying they’re going to, and you finish outside the top four, that’s a disaster. Disaster season.”
OPINION
You have to agree with Durham and Gough on this one. It wasn’t too long ago that Spurs were being talked up as potential title contenders, but a minor collapse and some unexpected results later and they look as if they could be in real trouble when it comes ensuring a top four spot. That would have been unthinkable not too long ago, and the fact that they have allowed themselves to get into this position will do nothing to ease their bottle job reputation. To be fair, their European form has been altogether more impressive, and their systematic dismantlement of Borussia Dortmund will have gone a long way to renewing a lot of hope around the camp. They have every chance of knocking City out of the competition, but it will be a tall task, and if they can’t manage it, and they do fall out of the Champions League qualification places, then what? Some serious questions would have to be asked, and the answers would make for very uncomfortable reading.