Premier League Fixture List Adds Pressure on Spurs
- The Voice of COYS
- 19. juni 2024
- 4 min lesing
Oppdatert: 20. juni 2024
Tottenham should be more than happy with how the recent Premier League fixture list release turned out. Now, there is one less excuse for Ange Postecoglu if Spurs' campaign turns out unsuccessful.
By publicly stating that Tottenham should be regarded as a Premier League title contender in the upcoming season, Ange Postecoglu has added pressure to his name - especially after the disappointing end to last season's campaign. With the coming season's Premier League fixture list in his hands, the Australian has no reason to back-pedal.
Why Tottenham won the "fixture lottery":
No grueling periods with several top clashes in a matter of weeks.
The season finale at Tottenham Hotspur stadium (vs. Brighton).
Great run-in - only "should-win matches" in May.
Three home matches in the first five of the season.
First three London derbies at home (in September), the NLD among these.
Three of four matches during the congested holiday period (Dec. 21 to Jan. 4) at home.
Tottenham's opening game is under the lights at newly promoted Leicester on Monday, August 19. We all remember Spurs' last trip to King Power Stadium.
Few European issues
Another positive aspect is that the fixture list was more than kind to Spurs regarding their European participation. There are few occasions- some would argue zero - where the mid-week game in Europe comes just days before (or after) a big Premier League clash. Only the Europa League opener falls a bit tricky for Tottenham, as it is scheduled just a couple of days before Spurs' big game against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Before the seven other group-stage matches in Europe, Tottenham will face Brighton, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Fulham, Southampton, Leicester, and Brentford respectively after a European game. This could have been a lot worse and should allow Postecoglu to rotate his squad and still get away with pleasing results in both competitions.
Some have already mentioned the huge challenge that awaits Postecoglu as he has to keep his squad fit for both domestic and continental competitions. However, this should not be an issue for the Australian as "Big Ange" said he would rather have a crowded schedule than play just one game per week. It would therefore be contradictory, not only from Postecoglu but from all Spurs supporters, to turn the number of games into a problem during the coming season.
Postecoglu needs results
With the shambolic performances during the final weeks of last season in mind, Tottenham and Ange Postecoglu require results from the first kick-off in August.
With the added pressure that the Aussie has (gotten) put on his shoulders, the 2024/2025 campaign might be a "make or break season" for the 58-year-old at Tottenham. All eyes will be directed towards Postecoglu from the first game weeks, at least if there is an early lack of points heading Tottenham's way.
The first national team break of the season is planned after the three first games. That is too early to make any deep assessment of Spurs' season. Come the second week-long national team break, however, Tottenham has played seven matches. At that time we will be able to evaluate play, performances, and points better.
Last season Spurs won 17 points in the first seven games. With this in mind, let's imagine different outcomes: What will a good and a bad start to the season look like for Spurs?
Tottenham's first seven games:
Leicester (A)
Everton (H)
Newcastle (A)
Arsenal (H)
Brentford (H)
Manchester United (A)
Brighton (A)
The great start: 16-21 points
5-1-1, 5-2-0, or better would be a fantastic start to the season. Trips to St. James' Park and Old Trafford are (historically) tough tasks. So is the North London Derby, even though losing two straight home games against Arsenal in a couple of months will not be taken lightly by the fans.
Points dropped in any of the three top clashes would mean there is no room for mistakes against the likes of Leicester on the opening day, Brighton away, or the must-win home games.
The reasonable start: 13-15 points
In the reasonable scenario, we have given Tottenham room to drop 6-8 points during the first seven games, meaning Spurs i.e. can lose two games and draw one.
The first seven games of the season are not a "walk in the park" and to us, it is unrealistic to expect to see an unbeaten Spurs come October.
The bad start: 9-12 points
To Voice of COYS, three defeats (or worse) can not be seen as anything else than a bad start.
Even though the first few weeks of the season are not considered easy for Tottenham, the expectations must be higher than Spurs winning 1.5 points per game. At least taking the club's, the manager's, and the players' ambitions into consideration.
The "Ange out" start: 8 points or less
This might be harsh to some, but if Tottenham does not win more than 8 points in the first seven matches the Postecoglu critics have reason to raise their voices.
Dropping 13 or more points by the beginning of October will mean that Tottenham's Premier League season is over before getting started and Ange Postecoglu's project at Spurs will be seen as a failure.
Premier League fixture list: Our predictions
We believe Tottenham will have a reasonable start to the season.
Everton, Brentford, and Brighton will be beaten while Arsenal will not get away with another win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Spurs "never" win at Old Trafford, and the history will repeat itself. Finally, Tottenham will "only" win one of the away matches against Leicester and Newcastle.
All this sums up to Spurs ending with 4 wins, 1 or 2 draws, and 1 or 2 wins. In other words, Ange Postecoglu will send his players to their national team duties in October having won 13 or 14 points.
Is that good enough? What would a good start to the season look like for you?
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