Newcastle United Showed Tottenham Hotspur The Future And It Was Terrifying

Tottenham Hotspur’s interim boss Cristian Stellini didn’t even try to describe what he had witnessed.

“There are no words to explain a performance like this,” he said after his Spurs team had been obliterated by Newcastle United 6-1.“The first 25 minutes were maybe the worst I’ve ever seen.”

Grasping for the reasons why Tottenham Hotspur shipped five goals with barely a third of the game gone he suggested a decision to switch to a back four from the team’s regular three-man backline may have been a factor.

But he also claimed, worryingly, the issues which caused the capitulation could have been caused by some currently unknown reasons.

“Changing the system was the wrong decision and that’s my responsibility,” he admitted adding “We have to apologize to everyone. If it’s the system, it’s easier to change. If it’s not the system, then we have to analyze why.”

Unfortunately for the Italian if he had begun to dig into the other explanations for why Spurs folded he didn’t get long because less than 24 hours after the loss he was fired by the club.

“Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see,” a statement from Spurs chairman Daniel Levy read. “We can look at many reasons why it happened and whilst myself, the Board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine.”

The clash with Newcastle United was, on paper at least, a crucial encounter in the race for the Champions League places.

Historically Spurs was the side with greater pedigree, it is the North Londoners, not the Magpies who’ve consistently played in Europe’s elite competition in the last ten years and, as was the case last season, has the experience of chasing down a rival to qualify for it.

Ahead of kick-off, only three points separated the two teams and a win would have drawn Tottenham Hotspur level with Newcastle propelling them, temporarily at least, into the top four.

But any possibility of Spurs seizing the initiative in the battle to make the Champions League at St. James’s Park evaporated pretty much as soon as the game began, Newcastle raced five goals ahead and arguably could have humiliated Spurs more.

The shockingly abject nature of the loss has meant reaction to the game has largely focused on the pitiful state of Tottenham Hotspur a situation many believe terminal.

“Everyone at Tottenham will talk about fighting and pulling together after Sunday’s embarrassing defeat at Newcastle, but I feel like it’s too far down the road for that now,” ex-midfielder for Spurs and Newcastle Jermaine Jenas said.

“The team’s momentum has completely gone, and the players clearly have no belief.

“They played without any kind of a plan at St James’ Park, but that was hardly a surprise after what we’ve already seen from them this season. They are in a complete mess, but for me, that stems from what is happening at the club off the pitch, and the total lack of direction that comes from the very top.”

The criticism, however, missed a critical aspect of the game overlooked by many observers. This was an important statement by the team delivering the beating; Newcastle United.

The future starts now

The somewhat muted response to Newcastle United putting itself in an incredibly strong position to qualify for the Champions League with the defeat of Spurs underlines just how much the level of expectations for the team from Tyneside has changed.

Just 18 months ago, it was not European qualification the Magpies were chasing but survival in the Premier League.

Despite being acquired by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia the previous fall the outlook for the North East side had not been positive.

So dire was the club’s predicament that it was turned down by its first choice for the managerial post, Unai Emery, and was left to rely on a man with a recent Premier League relegation to his name Eddie Howe.

But shrewd January transfer business and smart tactical decisions by Howe guided Newcastle United to safety.

More talent was added in the summer and there was a sense with the financial might of PIF an ascent to the top table of the English game was inevitable.

Few predicted, however, the club would be in the top four this season, certainly not at the expense of Tottenham Hotspur whose manager Antonio Conte was a seasoned winner and had received significant backing of his own.

But, whilst Newcastle United has surpassed all expectations, Spurs’ season unraveled and Conte departed.

The ambition and resources the owners at St. James’s Park possess mean this summer the side from the North East will seek to improve again.

Qualification for the Champions League guarantees revenue which makes further player acquisitions, which under Financial Fair Play rules might have been harder to facilitate, viable.

The side which demolished Tottenham Hotspur this year will be far stronger next season.

By contrast, Spurs face the prospect of another rebuild.

All of this suggests the gap in standards the 6-1 loss illustrated will not be an outlier, in the coming years, if Newcastle continues on this trajectory, such a gap will be the status quo.