Spurs are almost certain to blow their shot at qualifying for Europe via their league standing despite the fact that it’s a completely doable scenario. With three games to go and 48 points to their name, they play Aston Villa (on 47 points), Middlesbrough (on 49), and Blackburn a few spots back.

Boro have an interesting set of matches before them but enjoy a game in hand over Spurs. They have Newcastle, Liverpool, Spurs, and Man City for their final four games. With the up and down nature of all the teams involved it’s virtually impossible to predict the outcomes of these games. Villa see some similar teams in Spurs, Man City, and Liverpool for their last three.

The infuriating part of all this is that, in my heart, I know Spurs will go 1-1-1 in these games to finish with 52 points and in 9th place which gets them nothing, nor should it. They’re a half-assed side who don’t deserve a spot in Europe. This team perpetually cannot turn the corner and headlines always seem to be focused on how well Spurs do financially rather than on the pitch. Yes, it’s great that Asians inexplicably buy replica jerseys by the boatload but unless this translates into paying for decent players instead of bolstering stock prices, it’s no fun being a fan. While spending extravagantly on big names isn’t good for the bottom line nor does it underwrite guaranteed success, it at least shows motivation to build a team who might strive to win something. No, it seems fairly clear that the goal is to create a stable team–one good enough to not get relegated but not worth risking any cash on trying to make them better than average.

Historically, the team’s been a cup side rather than a league contender but come on. The last decade has seen them win only the League Cup once (and finished runner-up once) and that’s it. Highest place in the Premiere league is 7th and that was back in 94/95. From 1981 to 91, in contrast, they won the FA cup three times, won two Charity Shields, and nabbed the UEFA Cup.

Sad, really.