Why Tottenham Hotspur are the sleeping giants of Europe

It’s no secret that the Tottenham faithful have been starved of silverware lately, but the return of the glory days could be afoot.

Tottenham were once Britain’s original trailblazers, although you would have to comfortably be the wrong side of 60 to claim any recollection.

Under the great Bill Nicholson, Spurs became the first Britons to win a European Cup (European Cup Winners’ Cup in ’63) and the first English club to win the UEFA Cup (’72). They were also the first side to claim a league and FA Cup double (’60/61).

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But the club has experienced an arid trophy drought recently, and the fans are as parched for success as a desert ultramarathon runner stumbling towards the finish line is for a drop of water. However, the signs are there that this slumbering giant will soon awaken and that silverware will rain down on the club once more.

Sleeping giants

Last Wednesday a stunning second half performance against Borussia Dortmund enhanced Tottenham’s burgeoning reputation in Europe. The win leaves Spurs on the brink of going one better than last year – when they were arguably the most impressive side in the whole tournament before falling to a street-wise Juventus.

The threadbare squad’s heroics have been achieved while living at the whims of muscle related injuries after playing such a prominent role in the summer’s World Cup. Moreover, the side is homeless and has gone two transfer windows without signing a single player.

So, rationally thinking, things should only get better for Spurs, especially if they hit the ground running in their new stadium. Moving back to N17 should give everyone a lift; while, the cutting-edge venue will help balance the books and finally allow Mauricio Pochettino some leeway in the transfer market.

Of course, there are also a number of ominous hurdles for the Spurs project to pass along the way – losing the manager this summer the most potentially derailing. The Argentinean messiah can turn water into wine and then back again before moon walking over it. Poch will only hang around if he believes he can reach his goals of league and European titles at the club – and neither is yet out of the question this term.

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The team’s indomitable spirit leave them in touching distance domestically; while, last week’s Dortmund dismantling means, for many, they replace the Bundesliga leaders as this year’s dark horses. If Poch can get so close with two hands tied behind his back then there is every reason to believe the club’s new era will be a silver spangled one.

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