{"id":1983,"date":"2023-01-31T16:06:58","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T16:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spursforlife.com\/?p=1983"},"modified":"2023-01-31T16:06:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T16:06:59","slug":"february-could-make-or-break-the-season-for-spurs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spursforlife.com\/february-could-make-or-break-the-season-for-spurs\/","title":{"rendered":"February could make or break the season for Spurs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The course of any season can take many twists and turns, with some periods better others for certain teams, whenever jostling for position in the hunt for silverware. During the 2022-23 campaign the Premier League has thrown up quite a few surprises, and Tottenham Hotspur could yet benefit, providing they can hit winning form in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given the window of opportunity for transfer will have closed, potentially without any January additions for Spurs ahead of deadline day, Antonio Conte will have to make do with existing resources. February will also bring an important run of challenging encounters, each of which could shape the whole season, both on the domestic front in the Premier League and on the continent in the UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After beating Preston North End 3-0 in the FA Cup<\/a>, the last 16 in the Fifth Round waits for Spurs, undoubtedly keen to reach the Quarter-Finals and beyond. Thankfully that next fixture in the competition won\u2019t come until March, leaving the team to focus entirely on their principal challenges elsewhere through February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aiming for the Premier League top four<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tottenham started the 2022-23 Premier League well, going seven games unbeaten, dropping points just twice with draws at Chelsea and West Ham, ahead of eventually suffering their first loss of the campaign. Unfortunately, that came via the 3-1 North London derby defeat against Arsenal at the Emirates, and while Spurs did bounce back after that result, rediscovering the same kind of consistency and form has proven difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conte\u2019s team concluded 2022 with four wins, one draw, and three defeats, which damaged their credibility as top four contenders. Likewise, the start of 2023 has also been a mixed bag of results, following three defeats and just the two victories. Most notably of all, Spurs lost another North London derby at home, 2-0 against Premier League leaders Arsenal. Then after going two goals ahead at the Etihad, capitulated for a 4-2 loss against Manchester City, before a team meeting apparently inspired the 1-0 win at Fulham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n