{"id":1284,"date":"2018-12-30T20:54:16","date_gmt":"2018-12-30T20:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spursforlife.com\/?p=1284"},"modified":"2018-12-30T20:54:16","modified_gmt":"2018-12-30T20:54:16","slug":"pochettino-facing-ultimate-january-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spursforlife.com\/pochettino-facing-ultimate-january-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Pochettino Facing Ultimate January Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Just when you think you\u2019re in the midst of a title race Tottenham go and blow it to a team on paper they should thump.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Football is a funny old game and from being in with a chance\nof moving just three points behind pace setters Liverpool on Saturday\nafternoon, to realising that come Saturday night you are nine points behind the\nReds, you quickly understand that fine margins make big differences and one\nslip up can prove costly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there is still much of the season left and January\nmore than any other month of the football calendar this season will show\nTottenham\u2019s credentials not just for this season, but for next also. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is because in the space of 31 days, the Lilywhites will\ncome up against the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea twice (in the League\nCup semi-final), Cardiff, Fulham, Watford, and Tranmere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Admittedly, the trip to Tranmere\u2019s Prenton Park in the third\nround of the FA Cup is hardly one to get the nerves going but it is still an\naway test and fixture clog Mauricio Pochettino would rather do without.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The truth is, the title is probably not a realistic target,\nbut third spot is and with that comes the Champions League. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The match against a resurgent Manchester United under Ole\nGunnar Solskj\u00e6r will prove an entirely different prospect from when the\nLilywhites inflicted that comfortable 3-0 victory over a demotivated Red Devils\nat Old Trafford in late August and will show whether or not Spurs can back up\nearly season promise by beating an equal when the field is somewhat levelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Premier League aside, Pochettino needs to win a trophy\nwith Tottenham and the League Cup poses the best chance of short term success\nbut they will need to navigate a two-legged affair with Chelsea in order to\nmake it to, er, Wembley where they will no doubt face Manchester City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a tough battling Cardiff, scraping Fulham, and\nunpredictable Watford will prove no easy tasks either as Spurs are susceptible\nto the odd slip up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come the end of January, Spurs could be on the major trophy\ntrail with the latter stages of the FA Cup, Champions League to look forward to\nwhatever happens and a League Cup final place in the bag. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The glory is there for the taking but on the flip side it\ncould all be over as well (expect the Champions League of course).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has Mauricio Pochettino ever faced such a career defining\nmonth in charge of Spurs?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Probably not but we for one are backing the boys to come\ngood and lay the foundation for a remarkable second half to the 2018\/19 season\nin all competitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Just when you think you\u2019re in the midst of a title race Tottenham go and blow it to a team on paper they should thump. 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