Tottenham Hotspur's season went from dream to nightmare in short order, after Spurs had started the Premier League campaign unbeaten in their first ten matches.
The North Londoners assumed first place in early October and held the mantle for three matchdays, before a three-match losing streak bumped them out of the top spot for good.
Spurs rebounded and were in the top four as late as April, but their current four-game losing skid has dropped them out of the automatic Champions League spots with little chance to climb back up before the end of the season.
As such, Tottenham appeared destined for a fifth-place finish at best, which is a far cry from where they thought they would be after their hot start.
Now, a former member of Tottenham's arch-rivals is claiming that he knew all along that they wouldn't be able to maintain their red-hot form throughout the campaign. Speaking to Paddy Power, former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna explained that he had little faith in Spurs' chances at truly competing with the league's best this year, but it has nothing to do with who he used to play for.
“I remember talking about Tottenham at the beginning of the season," Sagna said. "People think because I played for Arsenal that I hate Tottenham. I don’t hate them, I was just honest in saying that they can’t keep up the pace.
"I remember receiving stick from the fans, but look at their position now.
“I said they wouldn’t be able to compete – not because I wanted to be critical, but because the season is long, and they have lots of games. Players cannot perform the whole same season at the same pace, and with the same intensity. They need 22 players that can perform at that level – and Tottenham currently don’t have that."
Sagna believes Spurs can salvage some dignity by ending the season strong. Tottenham could still have a major hand in the league title race as they face Manchester City on May 14 — picking up points against City would mean helping Arsenal, though.
“Losing two in a row is worrying, but losing four in a row is very bad," he said. "It’s a tough game, playing against City, but after losing four games you want to react – they will try and show a different face.
“If they want to finish this season well, they need to be leaving the stadium with a result. I don’t see them winning with City’s attack and form – especially with Erling Haaland getting back into form and scoring.”
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