The 'Super Bowl hangover' is a common phenomenon in the NFL. The team that comes within touching distance to the pinnacle of their sport often struggles to replicate their previous success the following season. Well, unless you're the New England Patriots.
And while it's hard to draw comparisons between American football and socc-- football, a prime example of a team's demise following a miraculous run which almost culminated in unthinkable triumph has occurred with Tottenham Hotspur this season.
Spurs' defeat in the Champions League final - club football's equivalent of the Super Bowl - has undoubtedly played a role in their wretched campaign up to this point.
But in all honesty, it's an endless list of factors which has resulted in Spurs' struggles under both Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho; from a stale, demotivated squad to injury woes to individual errors on the pitch.
Nevertheless, in a season that could be compared to the gilet days of Tim Sherwood and a saluting Emmanuel Adebayor, here are some of the lowest points. Strap yourselves in, Gooners.
Shock Defeat to Newcastle (25/08/19)
Following a real impressive Audi Cup triumph in pre-season, Spurs started their Premier League campaign with a Tanguy Ndombele - you might hear that name a lot in this - inspired comeback victory against Aston Villa
Nevertheless, a point on the road to the champions. Spurs were title-contenders, right? Especially after a busy summer transfer window.
Well, things certainly looked a little bleaker when Steve Bruce's Newcastle
It was a tepid at best attacking display, while defensively they were caught out by the Magpies' one moment going forward. Surely, however, it was just an early-season blip in what promised to be an exciting campaign in north London.
Carabao Cup Embarrassment (24/09/19)
The trip to League Two outfit Colchester was met with a little bit of optimism after Troy Parrott and Japhet Tanganga were announced in the starting XI.
But the Lilywhites' performance that night ensured the travelling faithful weren't to be optimistic about the short-term future.
Despite Pochettino deploying the likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-min throughout the 90 minutes, they failed to break down a resolute Colchester backline - meaning the game would be decided on penalties.
An Eriksen and Lucas Moura miss later, and Spurs were out. Back to being a banter club it is.
The First Week of October
How good were those opening 30 minutes against Bayern
Poch's press was back, Ndombele was slicing through Bayern's defensive line like a knife through butter and Son had given Spurs a deserved 1-0 lead. The stage was set for another magical European night.
But after masterful strikes from Joshua Kimmich and Robert Lewandowski gave Die Roten a 2-1 lead at half-time, Spurs were simply torn apart in the second period. Serge Gnabry scored just the four, as what was then Niko Kovac's less dynamic and ruthless Bayern routed Spurs 7-2 on their own patch.
Nevertheless, Spurs would be able to put things right in an away trip to Brighton
Mauricio Pochettino's Departure (19/09/19)
Club statement
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 19, 2019
It was half-seven on brisk Tuesday night when that comunicado oficial was released onto our Twitter timelines regarding the departure of Pochettino. Half a decade of thrills, excitement and 'daring to do' dashed. Just like that.
He didn't deserve his final game in north London to be an uninspiring 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield United; it needed Mousa Dembele running the show, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose dominating the flanks, Christian Eriksen
A significant moment in the club's modern era.
Blue Humbling (22/12/19)
While the recent defeat at Stamford Bridge was bad, the home defeat in December came as more of a shock.
Spurs, who'd won five of their seven games with Jose Mourinho at the helm, were simply outclassed by Frank Lampard's seemingly stagnating Chelsea
Lampard's use of a 3-4-3 hopelessly exposed
It was how they were beaten that made this defeat such a morale crusher, with Son's petulant red card in the second period summing up what was a dismal day.
New Year's Day 2020
While the 1-0 defeat at Southampton
First, Ndombele - coming off the back of a majestic display at Carrow Road just a couple days prior - trudged off with barely 25 minutes on the clock, and he wouldn't appear in a Spurs shirt for another month. Then Harry Kane limped off clutching the back of his thigh just seconds after having a potential equaliser ruled out.
And yes, it was worst-case scenario once more with the talisman ruled out until April with a ruptured hamstring.
And if that wasn't enough, it was also revealed that Moussa Sissoko would have surgery on his right knee after damaging his MCL on that fateful afternoon. Not the best of luck.
FA Cup Shootout Defeat (04/03/20)
After Michel Vorm maintained his error-to-starts ratio with a gift for Josip Drmic for Norwich's second half equaliser, a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals would be decided on penalties.
And of course, for this one, Norwich
And of course, Tim Krul saved from Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes to send the Canaries through at the expense of a confidence-drained Spurs side.
The social media meltdown post-match, along with Eric Dier's possessed march into the stands to squabble with a fan, epitomised what was a dark day for the club. A season-ending defeat, potentially.
Source : 90min