Can Tottenham salvage their campaign with cup success?

This season hasn't offered much for Tottenham Hotspur fans to celebrate. They've won only one of their last nine Premier League games, are closer to the relegation zone than the top eight, and have a lengthy injury list that would hamper most teams. However, despite all this, the season still has the potential to be a special one, as some commentators are suggesting.

This is because they are involved in three cup competitions, and Thursday's 3-2 victory at Hoffenheim has put them virtually into the knockout stages of the Europa League. Their poor league form means it would be difficult for any Tottenham fan to associate this season with "success," but Spurs haven't won any silverware since 2008, so some trophies would be a huge positive.

Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said on TNT Sports, "It could be a phenomenal season for Tottenham, they could win a couple of trophies." What trophies could Tottenham win? As well as the Europa League, Tottenham are in the FA Cup and hold a 1-0 lead over Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final. The win at Hoffenheim means a victory at home to Elfsborg next week will likely see them through to the knockout stages.

Before that game, Spurs have a crucial few days, traveling to Liverpool for the League Cup on February 6th and then to Aston Villa for their FA Cup fourth-round tie three days later. Around these games, they have important league fixtures against Leicester, Brentford, and Manchester United, where they will be hoping to avoid slipping below their current position of 15th in the Premier League. Hargreaves added, "It's a critical few weeks for the club, it defines their season with the FA Cup and the second leg of the League Cup."

Former Tottenham striker Peter Crouch said, "They are one game away from a final. They are on an upward trajectory there. If they get to the final, that will be a good season." Tottenham are now among the favorites to win the Europa League. With a top-four finish looking unlikely, success in Europe's second-tier competition is their best route to Champions League qualification next season. Crouch added, "They have to prioritize the Europa League now, I looked at the teams, and they are capable of beating any of them."

How bad have things been for Spurs this season? Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou claimed earlier in the season that he always wins trophies in his second season at a club. He may be regretting those words, given how often they have been brought up after poor results, but while they may yet come true, it does not excuse Spurs' performances this season, particularly in the league: Spurs have lost 12 games in the Premier League this season, the sixth time they have lost 12 games in their first 22 league games, and the first time since 1997-98 (also 12 defeats). Only Wolves, Leicester, and Southampton have lost more league games this season. Spurs have dropped 18 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, with only Fulham (19) dropping more.

That last statistic is particularly concerning, as Spurs often get into good positions but ultimately crumble. This will have been on the minds of Tottenham fans during Thursday's game against Hoffenheim, as a poor second half almost cost them after they had gone 2-0 up. As the Germans pressed high, Spurs retreated further and further until Anton Stach made it 2-1. Son Heung-min's second goal should have ensured a comfortable finish, but Hoffenheim scored again through David Mokwa with two minutes remaining. Postecoglou said on TNT Sports, "We looked a bit tired in the second half, but we hung in there. Sonny got a great goal, which gave us that extra buffer. We were sending the schoolboys on at the end."

"They need to get players back" - but the injury news got worse. A big reason for Tottenham's struggles this season is that they had 14 players missing through injury when they traveled to Germany this week. Things didn't get better after the game, with Postecoglou confirming that forward Dominic Solanke will be out for six weeks. He missed the weekend's defeat to Everton after twisting his knee in training. "No surgery needed, but we are expecting about six weeks," said Postecoglou. "It could be quicker, but we will see." There may be some good news on the horizon, though, with a number of Tottenham's injured players expected to return by the end of the month. This includes defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, as well as midfielder Yves Bissouma.

Crouch added, "When everyone is fit, you would expect Tottenham to be right up there at the end of the season. If they go on to win a trophy, we will forget about this period. Other fans have been having a go at them - they need to get out of this, and it has been too long." Is the pressure easing on Postecoglou? The pressure has certainly been building on Postecoglou after Tottenham's poor domestic form, and it may have been greater had they failed to beat Hoffenheim. The Australian was positive after Thursday's win, saying, "I thought the senior players all stood up. You need your leaders to stand up, and they did. I told the players to enjoy it. Winning away in Europe - it's an important win for us, it puts us in a good position for the top eight, which will give us a week off."

However, unless Tottenham can go all the way in the cups, that pressure is likely to return. Crouch added, "It's been proven. Nuno, Conte, Mourinho - they aren't bad managers, but no one has brought the success Tottenham craves. Ange is not a bad manager, but achieving success seems like the holy grail. Whoever can achieve it will be loved at Tottenham for a long time, as it has been too long." Hargreaves added, "Back the manager, and it could be a special season."

What constitutes a successful season? Fans have their say. Simon: As a Spurs fan, I would take 17th place if it meant winning a cup. Winning something is the priority, but only if we stay in the Premier League. Gareth: To be honest, I think the league is gone for us this season. I would rather we accept a mid-table finish and focus on the cups. Winning a cup - any cup win - would make the season a success, especially with all the injuries we have had. For me, it's a transitional season. Things will be better next season...I hope. Ben: The success of this season depends on how quickly players recover from injury. Getting to the Europa League play-offs and avoiding relegation would be good at the moment. If we can get players back, then things could quickly become positive. I believe in Ange, anything is possible. Tom: To be honest, Spurs' season has been totally ruined by injuries. From now on, winning a trophy and finishing in the top half would be outstanding and something for Ange to build on.