Whether it is typically mentioned that there’s at all times 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 reduction for Ange Postecoglou was Tottenham had been, for now at the very least, now not that membership.

Russell’s rapid 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 evening, when Manchester United go to Tottenham within the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, the impression of Marcus Rashford’s feedback on his future and Ruben Amorim’s choice over whether or not to recall him and Alejandro Garnacho to his squad means there may be much less deal with Spurs forward of what’s their greatest recreation of the season to this point.

Maybe that’s not stunning. Postecoglou didn’t care. “There’s at all times 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 received a trophy since 2008 and there is a chance to vary that with Wembley two rounds away. Postecoglou can also be the supervisor who “at all times 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. “In the event you ask me 100 instances, I’ll reply 100 instances,” he mentioned. “I’m not strolling round with banners saying ‘I win issues in my second 12 months.’”

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Although profitable home cups doesn’t essentially characterize a wholesome membership. Erik ten Hag, as an example, began the season by proclaiming that solely Pep Guardiola had received 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 fallacious course regardless of lifting the FA Cup simply months earlier than. “My ambition is to construct a staff and a membership that has the chance for sustainable success,” Postecoglou mentioned. “No, profitable a trophy doesn’t present you’ve carried out that.”

However Postecoglou argued trophies can assist create a profitable surroundings. Spurs might even be an ideal instance of an excellent ‘cup staff’ – 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 elements are extra essential in figuring out whether or not what he’s constructing has stable foundations. “How the staff is performing throughout all competitions, how the squad is creating,” he mentioned. “In the event you win one trophy and all the pieces else falls off a cliff, I don’t assume that’s the best way 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, might 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 college to kind a squad. At 18, Archie Grey is at the moment their most essential centre-back and is a cause for optimism.

“I see loads of progress on this group,” Postecoglou mentioned. “In the event you strip it away and have a look at the challenges we’ve had this 12 months, the harm scenario, we’re in all probability one end result away from folks saying we’re going okay within the league as nicely.” 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 mentioned. “We’re going to hit some smoother waters in some unspecified time in the future.”

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Postecoglou has staunchly doubled down on his staff’s high-energy strategy throughout a tough run. “We’ll go on the market and try to play our soccer. If we do, we’ll be laborious to cease,” Postecoglou mentioned forward of going through United, a aspect they battered 3-0 at Previous Trafford in September.

It was certainly one of Tottenham’s finest days below Postecoglou. However sustaining these ranges of depth has been an excessive amount of within the league, the place they’re a deeply bizarre staff. 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 can assist, at the very least. 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 going through United, Postecoglou referred to as on Tottenham’s supporters to make it a giant evening. “We’re going to want that vitality,” he mentioned. In any other case Tottenham might discover they’re the disaster membership once more.