Mark Hughes believes Spurs’ best chance of winning the Premier League title may have gone.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have finished third and then second and in the past two seasons. But they are currently sixth — a massive 18 points behind leaders Manchester City after taking just two points out of their last 12.

Stoke visit Tottenham's temporary home at Wembley on Saturday looking to add to their league woes — and their manager reckons the north Londoners’ title window might have already closed.

“Arguably in the last two years a lot of people felt they were the best team, even though they haven’t won the Premier League title,” said Hughes.

Last weekend's draw at Watford continued the recent bad run by Spurs... (
Image:
Reuters)
...they have won just one in seven domestic games going into the meeting with Stoke (
Image:
PA Wire)

“They have missed out twice, and it might be beyond them, clearly, because of the lead City have and the level they’re playing at, and teams above have recruited well.

“So there is a danger that they may have missed their opportunity.

“But they’re still a very young team, and if they keep that together they will go close again, I’m sure.”

As a player, Hughes rejoined Manchester United during Sir Alex Ferguson’s first four years without a trophy before they went on to dominate the game.

He feels Spurs need to win a major honour to gain a winning habit: “They probably feel that themselves and to get that trophy helps a team develop, because then you understand what it takes to win things.”

United followed their FA Cup in 1990 with the European Cup Winners’ Cup a year later and the League Cup in 1992 before back-to-back League titles.

“Winning an FA Cup or a League Cup can help your league form because when you’re in a key league game, you can revisit those emotions of when you were in finals,” recalled Hughes.

“That (winning the League) came after winning cups quite regularly. Maybe that’s the next step Spurs need to take.”

Stoke have lost 4-0 the last three times they have played Spurs, with Harry Kane netting six times. Hughes doesn’t want to see it happen a fourth thrashing.

“They are the ones we’ve struggled against the most, and that’s been borne out by the margin of their victories,” he admitted.

“So we need to improve and that’s our hope and intention this weekend.”

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