October media coverage Spurs embarrassing hindsight

Tottenham Hotspur's media hype has quickly turned to disappointment as they struggle in recent games, while Arsenal is thriving.

Tottenham Hotspur has experienced a significant shift in media coverage over the past month, as their recent run of form has deviated from the initial portrayal of them as title contenders. Ange Postecoglou's response to the growing optimism among Spurs fans was to "let them dream," a sentiment that was echoed in the media at the time.

Jason Burt of The Telegraph went so far as to declare that Spurs were "no longer 'Spursy'," emphasizing the transformative effect that Postecoglou had on the team. This sentiment was reinforced by Jamie Braidwood of The Independent, who highlighted the absence of a hangover following Harry Kane's departure and even suggested that some were claiming that Tottenham were better off without him.

Comparisons were made to the Arsenal Invincibles of 2003/04, with Squawka pointing out that Spurs had accumulated more points than Arsene Wenger's team at the same stage. The media lauded Postecoglou's approach as a revolution rooted in normality and authenticity, contrasting it favorably with Mikel Arteta's unusual motivational tactics at Arsenal.

However, a month later, Spurs find themselves in fifth place, having squandered leads in all three of their November fixtures. The absence of Harry Kane has been keenly felt, as he has outscored Spurs as a team this month. The comparison to the Invincibles has also lost its luster, as the 2003/04 Arsenal team has now pulled ahead by seven points after 13 games.

The narrative surrounding Tottenham's performances has shifted, with a focus on their struggles to maintain their early-season form. The club's reliance on individual errors and contentious decisions in previous matches has come under scrutiny, raising questions about their true standing in the Premier League.

In contrast, the media's attention has turned to Arsenal, who now sit at the top of the table. The discrepancy in coverage between the two clubs highlights the fickle nature of football journalism and the ever-changing narratives that emerge over the course of a season.