People will always doubt Tottenham’s mentality and that doubt will “never go away” until they win a trophy, according to former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon. On Saturday, Spurs face north London rivals Arsenal having slipped nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after successive defeats. Manager Mauricio Pochettino has previously said winning trophies “only builds your ego”.
The former Arsenal defender Dixon also feels that the Spurs once again may not “fulfil their potential” this season despite challenging for the title for majority of the season. Pochettino’s men were beaten by Burnley last weekend and lost 2-0 at Chelsea in midweek. Another defeat against Arsenal and a victory for Manchester United against Southampton on Saturday would leave them just two points clear of fifth place.
Dixon told BBC Sport: “You can put the current bad run down to tiredness – the World Cup effect – or that they lack the knowhow [to get] over the winning line, which has been a problem for them. Or have they just been unlucky? They caught Burnley on a good day and Chelsea won 2-0 with one shot on target.”
Tottenham’s last trophy was the 2008 League Cup, while Pochettino is still awaiting his first silverware after 10 years in management. Domestic trophies will again elude Spurs this season, but they are in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having taken a 3-0 lead over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last 16 tie.
Dixon, who won four league titles and three FA Cups with Arsenal, added: “As a top team you are always tested and the really top teams keep answering the questions – that means winning a trophy. There are certain question marks over the mentality of Tottenham that will never go away until they tick the winning box, that is how it should be.
“They need to learn from the past but by the end of the season they may not fulfil their potential again. That only goes away when you win something. Until the arms go aloft with a trophy over your head, they will be answering those questions.”
Tottenham host Dixon’s former side Arsenal at the Wembley Stadium in the North London derby on Saturday. The Lilly whites of Tottenham will be looking for a way to salvage their season as well as get one over their rivals. Arsenal are hoping to consolidate their position in the top four and a win over Tottenham would put Spurs’ champions league qualification in jeopardy.