Well done Spurs. Not only have they beaten Manchester City into fourth place, but they have given them a lesson on how it can be done by building a team with unity as well as quality without relying on spending Abu Dhabi’s millions.

A large cheque book certainly helps, but consistency can only be achieved through team spirit, hunger and a group of players who trust their manager and a manager who puts his trust in them.

 

Admittedly, Harry Redknapp has had longer to build a more stable and settled side than City, and that was a key difference between the sides as they chased the coveted fourth spot.

City haven’t had a chance for stability and it’s quite possible there will be more upheaval in the summer with Roberto Mancini’s position as manager becoming increasingly precarious.

His predecessor Mark Hughes got the sack because the club’s owners felt they weren’t on course to reach their target – and if they maintain their ruthless stance, Mancini could be on his way out of Eastlands too.

But constantly changing managers will cause uncertainty and it could deter potential transfer targets from joining them – as well as hurting their chances of keeping the star players they do have.

If Mancini does go, it will be the second time the Abu Dhabi group have been content to back their manager half-heartedly for a few months, hope for the best then realise it was a mistake and act without mercy. Continuing this policy will lead to the club going around in circles rather than moving forward – while the likes of Spurs capitalise on the situation.

The other problem is that some of City’s players have expressed discontent with Mancini’s training ground methods, while his overly cautious approach cost them dearly in their pivotal defeats at home to Everton, Manchester United and Tottenham.

In the event of the Italian departing, the Abu Dhabi group needs to drop their stop-gap policy and hire a coach who they genuinely believe, with great conviction, will take the club forward – and give him the time and patience required to build a unified side. 

City may have the riches to tempt new players in the summer, but Spurs have the lucrative prospect of Champions League football. Only a team - and not a team of individuals - will change that next season.