Tottenham just short of the Premier League title

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has built a talented young squad at White Hart Lane

Argentinian boss Mauricio Pochettino has built a very good young team at Tottenham and there is even talk of Spurs being potential contenders for the Premier League title.

The side from North London kick-off the weekend six points behind league surprise leaders Leicester.

Spurs take on Premier League strugglers Newcastle at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon in a game that they really should win.

A cup team

Tottenham are for many a cup team. They have won just two top-flight titles in the history of the club. Spurs have been more successful in the domestic cup competitions, winning the FA Cup eight times and the league cup four times.

Spurs have also won the UEFA Cup twice and the now defunct Cup Winners Cup once as well. They are regarded as a team that has quality at times, but have never quite had the consistent in the last five decades to really challenge for the title.

Their reputation as a team that can play nice football, but never quite achieve anything is often mocked by fans of that other north London institute Arsenal. Spurs have had to live in the shadow of the Gunners for a long time.

A talent young outfit

Pochettino has done a very good job at White Hart Lane. The Argentinian boss has not exactly been backed with a big transfer kitty in north London. In fact the former-Southampton chief had to get rid of a lot of deadwood from his squad to progress.

Just like he did at Southampton Pochettino has put his faith in youth, using the youngsters at the club in the likes of Nabil Bentaleb and Ryan Mason. He also made some very shrewd moves in the transfer market with the £5million signing of midfielder Dele Alli from MK Dons being probably the pick of them.

The youngster had impressed for the Dons in League One and helped them to promotion to the Championship. This season he has progressed well and become an England international. The 19-year-old could prove be a fantastic bargain for the club from north London.

The £4million signing of another youngster Eric Dier also looks to have been a good one from Pochettino. This season the former-Everton loanee has been successfully turned into a defensive midfielder.

Dier has also recently made his debut for England, despite qualifying for Portugal due to spending a number of years living in the Algarve and also Lisbon. Portugal’s loss is definitely England’s gain.

Then of course there is the prolific Harry Kane up front. At 22-years-old the England international has become one of the most prolific front men in the English top-flight. He is superb focal point for Pochettino’s side.

Spurs’ youngsters have looked fearless at times this season, but young players can struggle for consistency, and that may be what prevents the north London side mounting a serious challenge for the Premier League title this season.

A Champions League place

Tottenham do look confident this season. They have produced some outstanding displays this season and though nobody on the staff of the club will admit, the Premier League title does not look completely impossible.

However, surely the aim at the start of the campaign would have been a top four finish. Even that aim will be difficult to achieve, as up to eight teams are looking to finish in those Champions League spots this season.

Tottenham have developed a habit of slipping-up against struggling teams in recent seasons, especially at White Hart Lane. Spurs are heavy favourites to claim victory against Newcastle on Sunday at odds 4/11.

Tottenham fans will be wary of complacency against the Magpies, as they know from previous seasons that they have a tendency to shoot themselves in the foot when they are in a good position.

The race for the Premier League title is very open this season. There are a number of teams that could challenge for the title and Spurs are definitely one of those teams.

However, despite Spurs being just six points behind top spot, I believe that Spurs will fall just short of the title this season. A place in the top four this season would be a good foundation for Pochettino to build a title challenging team in the future, finances permitting of course.

Can Tottenham challenge for the Premier League title?