Whether it is typically stated that there’s all the time a disaster membership within the Premier League, the warning for managers is don’t be it. As Russell Martin ran down the tunnel at St Mary’s, simply as Southampton conceded a fifth purpose earlier than half-time, the aid for Ange Postecoglou was Tottenham had been, for now not less than, now not that membership.

Russell’s quick departure within the wake of the 5-0 defeat, following that of Gary O’Neil of Wolves and amid Manchester Metropolis’s extraordinary collapse within the derby on Sunday, ensured a break for Spurs within the Premier League’s whirring information cycle. Even on Thursday night time, when Manchester United go to Tottenham within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, the affect of Marcus Rashford’s feedback on his future and Ruben Amorim’s resolution over whether or not to recall him and Alejandro Garnacho to his squad means there’s much less concentrate on Spurs forward of what’s their greatest sport of the season to date.

Maybe that isn’t stunning. Postecoglou didn’t care. “There’s all the time noise round Man United, mate, the place have you ever been?” he scoffed. However there’s a lot on the road for him, too. Spurs haven’t gained a trophy since 2008 and there is a chance to alter that with Wembley two rounds away. Postecoglou can be the supervisor who “all the time wins” trophies in his second season. A remark that was made in pre-season in reference to his earlier success at Celtic and Yokohama Marinos has adopted him round since. “When you ask me 100 instances, I’ll reply 100 instances,” he stated. “I’m not strolling round with banners saying ‘I win issues in my second yr.’”

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Although successful home cups doesn’t essentially symbolize a wholesome membership. Erik ten Hag, as an illustration, began the season by proclaiming that solely Pep Guardiola had gained extra trophies than he had since arriving at Manchester United. It was true, but it was clear to everybody else that each they and the Dutchman had been travelling within the incorrect course regardless of lifting the FA Cup simply months earlier than. “My ambition is to construct a crew and a membership that has the chance for sustainable success,” Postecoglou stated. “No, successful a trophy doesn’t present you’ve carried out that.”

However Postecoglou argued trophies will help create a successful surroundings. Spurs could even be an ideal instance of a superb ‘cup crew’ – a aspect with a excessive ceiling, as evidenced by the 2-1 win over Manchester Metropolis within the earlier spherical and subsequent 4-0 victory on the Etihad – who’ve the firepower to beat anybody on their day. However for Postecoglou, different components are extra essential in figuring out whether or not what he’s constructing has strong foundations. “How the crew is performing throughout all competitions, how the squad is growing,” he stated. “When you win one trophy and the whole lot else falls off a cliff, I don’t suppose that’s the way in which ahead.”

And Tottenham are tenth within the Premier League. Victory over a sorry, sliding Southampton was their first win in six. The squad is skinny and failing to adequately put together for an elevated fixture schedule has come at a price. Now Future Udogie, who was compelled off throughout the first half at St Mary’s, may be part of Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Ben Davies and Guglielmo Vicario on the sidelines. Postecoglou has been fielding makeshift defences and pulling youngsters out of faculty to type a squad. At 18, Archie Grey is at present their most essential centre-back and is a motive for optimism.

“I see loads of development on this group,” Postecoglou stated. “When you strip it away and take a look at the challenges we’ve had this yr, the damage scenario, we’re in all probability one outcome away from individuals saying we’re going okay within the league as properly.” Whereas tenth, they’re solely 5 factors off the top-four. Tottenham even have a greater purpose distinction than the groups from 4th to ninth mixed. It’s a measure of their eccentricities. “We keep calm, keep centered,” Postecoglou stated. “We’re going to hit some smoother waters sooner or later.”

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Postecoglou has staunchly doubled down on his crew’s high-energy method throughout a troublesome run. “We’ll go on the market and attempt to play our soccer. If we do, we’ll be arduous to cease,” Postecoglou stated forward of dealing with United, a aspect they battered 3-0 at Previous Trafford in September.

It was one in all Tottenham’s finest days beneath Postecoglou. However sustaining these ranges of depth has been an excessive amount of within the league, the place they’re a deeply bizarre crew. Spurs have conceded as many targets as Chelsea, 19, and scored 36, which is just one fewer than Enzo Maresca’s aspect. But the Blues are 2nd and two factors off the highest. Tottenham have extra defeats than Everton and will discover themselves thirteenth in the event that they lose to Liverpool on Sunday.

That’s the place the cups will help, not less than. A two-legged semi-final in January and February retains the season alive. Postecoglou has confronted hostile atmospheres in current weeks, at Galatasaray, at Ibrox, and even from his personal followers within the away finish Bournemouth. There have been chants, too, in opposition to Daniel Levy after the 5-0 win in opposition to Southampton.

However forward of dealing with United, Postecoglou known as on Tottenham’s supporters to make it an enormous night time. “We’re going to wish that vitality,” he stated. In any other case Tottenham could discover they’re the disaster membership once more.