OPINION
Tottenham fans would have been left laughing their heads off had you suggested that they would be fighting to finish in the top four at the start of February.
Sitting seven points ahead of fourth placed Arsenal, the Lilywhites were closer to table toppers Liverpool, who sat five points ahead, than the Gunners after their 1-0 win over Newcastle.
How things have changed.
Now 12 points behind Jurgen Klopp’s men in second, their north London rivals are just one point behind in fourth, with fifth placed Manchester United a further two points adrift in the hunt for the all important top four finish.
It should come as no surprise that their fall in form, which has resulted in three defeats and a draw in four Premier League outings, has coincided with a dip in performances from Brazilian winger Lucas Moura, one of the most impressive stars for Mauricio Pochettino at the start of the season.
While an injury back in January has no doubt played a part, the South American ace has nosedived quite spectacularly of late and looks a shadow of his former self – and if Spurs want to nail that top four spot, Pochettino has got to get the 26-year-old out of this worrying rut.
Some of Tottenham’s best displays have come when Lucas is tearing down the wings and like Heung-min Son on the other flank, has been an unsung hero at times.
Now he is looking like an ill fitting cog in the Spurs machine and that has got to be rectified immediately – otherwise their top four hopes could end in heartbreak.