It seems that no matter what Tottenham do, they are unable to stop themselves plummeting towards the Championship
Crises do strange things to people. Some ignore the danger as though they can make it go away by pretending it doesn’t exist, which is how teams sleepwalk into danger as Tottenham appeared for much of this season to be doing. Once the cliff edge is acknowledged, there are those who find themselves drawn inexorably towards it in a vertigo of irresponsibility, clear thought rendered impossible, basic functions undermined. But there are others who, in extremis, find the brain clears and sinews stiffened, petty irritations melting away as focus sharpens.
In certain cases, that may not be enough. Sometimes, almost whatever you do, the pull of the abyss is too strong to be resisted. Tottenham had seemed to be dragging themselves together. The last week has been broadly positive. They began extremely well against Nottingham Forest.
They could easily have had a comfortable lead before half-time. But they couldn’t score, Forest did, anxiety began to freeze brains and suddenly all they can see are the lines whooshing past as they plummet towards the Championship. And this was them playing quite well; they may not do that too often in what remains of the season.
