Tottenham in ‘pole position’ to beat Manchester United in race to secure millions of pounds
Paul Robinson admits Manchester United have forced their way into the race for the top four but still believes Tottenham are in “pole position” to qualify for the Champions League and win the millions that comes with it.
Spurs are fifth in the table after losing at home to Wolves on Saturday (17 February) having fallen off the pace following a blistering start to life under Ange Postecoglou.
And Robinson accepts that it is indeed now a three horse race for what should be the final Champions League spot, but backs a Spurs squad without other competitions to worry about and whose squad is rounding into full fitness.
Given there wasn’t much expectation at Spurs when the manager arrived from Celtic in the summer that could be seen as a clear success, but having roared into the Premier League lead early it would equally be a major disappointment to miss out now.
Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News he said: “There’s many ways to look at it. At the start of the season the top four was almost out of the question. But after 10 games, you look at the stats, no team who had that many points after 10 games has ever finished outside the four apart from Newcastle, and I think that was in a 40-game Premier League season.
“Spurs have given themselves every opportunity to. They’ve got no European football, they’ve got no cup competitions to focus on, they’re getting a fully fit squad back together.
“So for me Spurs are in pole position. But you look at the way Manchester United a playing, they’ve been inconsistent all season but he’s got players back, they seem to be playing well, they’re picking up results at the moment.
“They’re three points behind Tottenham having played the same games, and five behind Villa who currently occupy fourth, so what looked like it was a direct run between Villa and Tottenham, Manchester United seem to have now joined the party. It’s definitely going to be a three horse race.”
Ange Postecoglou puts Champions League in play for Tottenham
When Postecoglou came in plenty of Tottenham supporters would have taken being within touching distance of the top four late in February, but after setting the early pace in the top flight it could equally be seen as a disappointing drop off now.
The same could possibly be said of Villa who were pushing for top spot even later in the season under Unai Emery but have themselves fallen off the pace.
Manchester United are unbeaten in 2024 and without looking entirely convincing are the form team of the three so there is little margin for error.
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