Adam Drury | The argument for

Tottenham’s Champions League exit is not only destructive to their hopes in Europe.

Yes, a series of pitiful performances have left Mauricio Pochettino facing a likely dreadful dead rubber at Wembley in their final group game.

But they have also exposed several flaws that are unlikely to be fixed in time to rectify a title challenge this season.

Pochettino admitted one glaring shortcoming after Tuesday’s loss in Monaco.

“Maybe we need to add more quality to the squad,” the Argentine accepted.

“When you have a problem, injuries, it is difficult to be competitive.”

The 44-year-old was referencing the lack of depth as a reason for their European disappointment, but, in truth, it is just as true domestically.

Harry Winks made his league debut against West Ham on Saturday as a result of Christian Eriksen’s poor form.

As impressive as the 20-year-old may be, Spurs are unlikely to win the title when reliant upon such inexperience.

And the north Londoners unbeaten Premier League record seems to be disguising from the fact that their performances have dipped alarmingly.

Since beating Manchester City in the first week of October, Spurs have only won once in the league – Saturday’s unconvincing victory over West Ham – and have scored just three goals from open play.

They registered only four shots on target at Bournemouth towards the end of last month – a fixture that they won 5-1 last season – while relying on a late equaliser to salvage a point at West Brom.

The goalscoring form of Son Heung-Min has dried up, so – with few goals coming from midfield - Harry Kane is lumbered immediately upon returning from injury.

At this stage last season, six different Tottenham players had netted at least twice in the league.

This time around, that tally is just three. And Eriksen, worryingly, hasn’t managed any.

Even defensively, the mean Tottenham that started this season has slacked.

They have still shipped fewer goals than any other side in the division, but have conceded in each of their last three and only two fewer than at this stage last season. 

More fateful than any statistic, though, is the rapid improvement of Spurs’ title rivals.

While Leicester were the only team to beat last year, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea have all vastly improved – with Arsenal in the race, too.

Tottenham’s trajectory, meanwhile, is heading south.

Will Rook | The argument against

It’s been a poor 24 hours for Tottenham. There’s no denying it.

Having had their Champions League jaunt ended by Monaco after just five matches, it is entirely understandable for the club's supporters to be disappointed.

Yet they might benefit from a little perspective.

Domestically, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are in at least as good shape as they were this time a year ago, if not better.

After 12 matches in 2015/16 they occupied exactly the same position in the Premier League table as they do now.

The only difference this term is that they are still yet to lose a match – remaining the only unbeaten team in the country – and are, notably, a point closer to the summit.

That is despite competing against much stronger opposition.

It is worth remembering that last season their only competition for the title was from Leicester, a team who now sit 14th – just two points above the relegation zone.

Summer improvements to both managers and playing staff at Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool among others have, admittedly, made it harder than ever at the top.

Tottenham’s best bit of business, though, has proved to be keeping hold of their players.

Harry Kane, for example, is only one league goal behind the six he scored at this point last term, with history suggesting his profitable patch will continue.

The 23-year-old, after all, had only scored nine by last Christmas and four the previous year before going on to net 25 and 21 respectively.

And, despite criticism of their strength in depth, their fringe players have performed remarkably well.

That Son Heung-Min slotted so seamlessly into the team – winning September’s Premier League Player of the Month award – is testament to that.

As for a slacking defence, Pochettino’s side have conceded just eight goals this season – two fewer than at this stage last year and better than any other team at present.

More impressively still, that has been achieved with players like Kevin Wimmer and Eric Dier deputising in defence after an injury to Toby Alderweireld.

Tottenham, then, undoubtedly have a squad capable of staying competitive in the Premier League.

While their Champions League exit is disappointing, it would be foolish to see it as any more than a blip.