Time for 16/1 shouts Spurs to take Europa League seriously

Holly Thackeray | October 21st

Tottenham face blast from trophy-filled past

The Londoners last defeated this purple-shirted side on penalties following an aggregate 2-2 draw, with the subsequent successful shoot-out seeing Spurs snatch their second of two UEFA Cup trophies.

So, the capital club’s final continental crown came about in 1984 against Anderlecht, who they will now encounter in the group stages of the competition’s present incarnation. After having arguably taken their European antics in recent times rather lightly, this should spur Mauricio Pochettino’s side on.

After all, though the Premier League is amazingly open this season, Tottenham’s best trophy chance and subsequent shot of snaring Champions League football, is the undoubtedly on the Europa stage.

As winners Sevilla can attest, giving Europe’s little sister club competition undivided attention can eventually pay dividends, with UEFA now allowing Europa League victors an automatic spot in the Champions League.

Spurs superb shots for silverware

Regular also-rans Tottenham have, since their golden-era of the 1970s and 80s, failed to ever pass the quarter-final hurdle again, which is clearly a record that needs rectifying.