Alan Shearer has said that while Tottenham Hotspur were never going to challenge for the Premier League title this season, they could be in contention for a top-four finish.
The excitement surrounding Spurs has been deflated a bit over the past week due to back-to-back losses against Chelsea and Wolves.
Ange Postecoglou’s men now have a substantial injury and suspension list to deal with and they might be relieved that the international break has come at the time it has.
Before last week, some were genuinely asking if Spurs could challenge for the title this season (ESPN FC) but Shearer insisted that it was never realistic to expect the North London club to keep pace with the likes of Manchester City.
The Newcastle legend pointed out that it has still been an impressive start to the season for Tottenham despite their successive losses, and opined that they will be in the hunt for a top-four, especially since they do not have European football to worry about.
Will Tottenham finish in the top four this season?
Shearer told Matchday Extra Live on Optus Sport: “If you look at the bigger picture for Tottenham, I know they’ve lost the last two, but take that away, it’s still been a really positive start.
“The atmosphere would have totally changed. They would have without doubt taken your hands off to be in this position at the November international break despite losing their last two.
“They, just like Newcastle, will be thinking we need this international break just to regroup and start to build the confidence again. They’ll be alright this season Tottenham. I didn’t expect them ever to stay at the top of the league, I didn’t expect them ever to challenge for the league title, they won’t.
“What they could challenge for is to try and get a place in the top four. Which again, what happened with Newcastle last season, without being in European competition this season, already out of the Carabao, that in a way may help them with the less number of games.”
Jermain Defoe was in agreement with Shearer that a top-four finish would be a realistic objective for his former club.
He added: “I think it’s realistic. I think the performances have been really good and realistically of course you want to get into that top four.”
Spurs Web Opinion
The vast majority of Tottenham fans did not think that we were in a title race and were always conscious of the fact that there would be a few bumps along the road in what is a transitional season.
We could be in for a difficult time over the next few weeks, given the players we are missing but thanks to our impressive start to the season, we will still be in touching distance of the top four by New Year.
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