After 24 games last season, Tottenham were on 45 points. Having played the same number of games this term, they are now five points better off. That's undeniably real progress and yet there is underlying cause for concern.
This time last year, Spurs were flying but in their last two Premier League games, they have struggled to find their customary sharpness and fluency. In a 0-0 draw at Sunderland, they barely managed a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, while it took a second half penalty to ease them over the line against Middlesbrough.
It's not hard to find possible reasons for Spurs' recent struggles, the most obvious the injuries to Jan Vertonghen and Danny Rose.