Tottenham Hotspur is in a weird spot. If you’ve looked at the Premier League table Tottenham is currently sitting in, you might have done a double-take. 14th place. It looks ugly. It looks like a crisis. But honestly, the raw numbers on the screen don't tell the whole story of what’s actually happening in North London right now.
It’s January 14, 2026. The winter transfer window is wide open, and the mood around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a bizarre mix of "everything is fine" and "we’re going down." Neither is true, obviously.
The Numbers That Hurt
Let's just look at the damage first. Spurs have played 21 games. They’ve won 7, drawn 6, and lost 8. That leaves them with 27 points. For a club that was playing Champions League football not too long ago, being 14th is a massive shock to the system.
They have scored 30 goals. They've conceded 27. A goal difference of +3 usually belongs to a team in 9th or 10th, yet here they are, hovering just five points above the relegation scrap. It’s been a season of narrow misses and frustrating draws, like the 1-1 against Sunderland earlier this month that felt like a funeral.
Life After Ange and the Thomas Frank Era
The big elephant in the room is the dugout. Ange Postecoglou is gone, despite winning the Europa League last season. He broke the trophy drought, but the league form was so catastrophic (they finished 17th in 2024/25) that Daniel Levy finally pulled the trigger.
Enter Thomas Frank.
The former Brentford boss took over in June 2025. He’s basically trying to rebuild a house while the previous owner’s furniture is still on fire. He’s implemented a more pragmatic, data-driven approach, but the transition hasn’t been seamless. Some fans are already grumbling, especially after the 3-2 loss to Bournemouth on January 7th. That game was a heartbreaker—Mathys Tel and João Palhinha scored, but a 95th-minute winner from Antoine Semenyo ruined the night.
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Who is Actually Carrying This Team?
If you ignore the league position for a second and look at the individual performances, you'll see why some analysts think a climb is coming.
- Richarlison: He’s been the bright spot. Seven league goals and eight overall. He’s finally looking like the clinical striker Spurs paid for, even if the service to him is inconsistent.
- Micky van de Ven: The guy is a machine. He’s played 20 matches, scored 3 goals, and is still the fastest defender in the league. Without him, that 14th place would probably be 18th.
- Mohammed Kudus: A massive £55 million summer signing from West Ham. He’s provided 5 assists and 2 goals. He’s the spark, the guy who actually tries to make things happen when everyone else looks static.
- Guglielmo Vicario: Still one of the best shot-stoppers around. His post-match interviews are basically therapy sessions for the fans at this point.
The January Shuffle: Gallagher and the Exit Door
The Premier League table Tottenham occupies is going to change because the squad is changing. As of today, Conor Gallagher is officially a Spurs player. The club paid £35 million to bring him back from Atlético Madrid. He’s exactly what Thomas Frank wants: a "chaos merchant" who runs 12 kilometers a game and tackles everything that moves.
But it’s not just about who’s coming in. Brennan Johnson just left for Crystal Palace in a £35 million deal. Seeing a talent like Johnson leave while the team is struggling feels like a step backward to many, but Frank seems intent on clearing out anyone who doesn't fit his specific tactical "blueprint."
Why the Table is Deceptive
Is Tottenham actually bad? Or just unlucky?
The underlying stats (xG) suggest they should have about 3 or 4 more points than they actually do. They’ve lost 8 games, but many of those were by a single goal. They lack the "killer instinct" that Arsenal (who are currently top) or Manchester City have.
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There’s also the Champions League distraction. Spurs are 11th in the new league phase. They’ve been putting a lot of energy into Europe, which clearly drained them for those Sunday afternoon Premier League games. Winning 4-0 against Copenhagen in November was great, but losing 3-0 to Nottingham Forest a few weeks later was the reality check.
What Happens Next?
The schedule doesn't get easier. On Saturday, January 17th, it’s the London Derby against West Ham. Then it's back to Europe against Borussia Dortmund on the 20th.
If Thomas Frank can get Gallagher integrated quickly and stop the habit of conceding late goals, Spurs could easily string together three wins and jump into the top half. The gap between 14th and 8th is only 4 points. It’s congested. It’s messy.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
- Watch the Gallagher-Palhinha Pivot: This midfield duo is going to be the most aggressive in the league. If they click, Spurs will stop being "soft" in transition.
- Monitor the Home Form: Spurs have only won two home games all season. That is unacceptable. If you're betting or following closely, watch the first 15 minutes of the West Ham game; it will tell you everything about the squad's current mental state.
- Don't Panic (Yet): The relegation zone is technically close, but the quality in the squad—Simons, Kudus, Romero—is too high for a sustained drop.
The Premier League table Tottenham is currently stuck in is a reflection of a club in transition. It’s painful to watch, but for the first time in years, there seems to be a logical plan behind the scenes, even if the results are lagging behind the intent.