Tottenham's Surprise Squad Depth Means They Should Chase Treble Glory

Never in the history of the Premier League have Tottenham been within two points of the top of the table in mid-February. 

Never, that is, until now. 

After 26 rounds, only Leicester City have collected more points than Mauricio Pochettino's team, and none of the title contenders can claim to be in better form. 

Since the 1-0 home defeat to the Foxes, Spurs have made up two points on them, six points on Arsenal and seven on Manchester City. 

Tottenham have traditionally struggled in this period of the season, and yet this vintage squad seems to have found new depths of strength as they've surged up the table. 

Pochettino's success incorporating his aggressive tactical approach has been key to their rapid progress; the impact of his individual coaching has been evident. 

The Argentinian has done a phenomenal job in his just his second season at the club and deserves much of the praise.

Spurs have reached a higher level and greater consistency than any other team in the division. 

Barring a possible—although unlikely—collapse, this will be Spurs' greatest season since England's top division broke away in 1992. 

Beyond Pochettino's obvious influence, there is a surprise factor at work in this hugely promising campaign; squad depth. 

When the summer transfer window closed, there was a pervasive perception that Pochettino's position had been undermined by his chairman's unwillingness to search out the necessary reinforcements. 

Defensive midfield and striker appeared to be the squad's two crippling weaknesses. Despite five new players' arrival in the summer, those apparent flaws remained. 

Tim Ireland/Associated Press

Opening-day defeat and failure to win any of the first four games appeared to reinforce the notion that Tottenham were desperately short in key areas. 

The ensuing six months have proved those concerns utterly misguided. 

If Spurs do manage to win the league, it will be their superior squad depth that proves decisive. 

In Pochettino's system, the full-backs are hugely important. 

They provide a constant wide outlet and drag opposition defences out of compressed formations while fulfilling their defensive responsibilities. 

It is a physically taxing role, but Spurs have four top-class full-backs to share the load equally. 

Danny Rose and Ben Davies on the left and Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier at right-back bring very different qualities, but each is crucially capable of playing Pochettino's football at full speed. 

In central midfield, the first-choice pairing of Eric Dier and Mousa Dembele have gradually emerged, but the contributions of Nabil Bentaleb, Ryan Mason and Dele Alli in the same role should not be forgotten. 

Erik Lamela's decisive introduction at Eastlands against Manchester City is emblematic of the squad depth that enabled Spurs to remain in contention so late in the season. 

Pochettino threw on his countryman where supporters were clamouring for another central midfielder, and it was Lamela who laid on Christian Eriksen's winning goal. 

That Spurs can start with a player of Lamela's quality on the substitute's bench, alongside fellow internationals like Nacer Chadli and Bentaleb, should underline the strength in depth that they possess. 

A perceived Achilles' heel before the season began, Spurs' multitude of options is now their greatest strength. 

It is also what makes it possible to continue fighting on three fronts. 

Debate rages among fans and commentators alike about whether Pochettino should sacrifice the FA Cup and Europa League campaigns to chase Premier League glory. 

In truth, he should chase the winning habit and continue to deploy his resources across all three competitions. 

Teams like Athletic Bilbao, Bayern Munich and Benfica have all experienced a treble of failure in recent seasons. 

In 2012, Bayern were European Cup, DFB Pokal and Bundesliga runners-up. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

In the same season, Athletic Club lost the Europa League and Copa Del Rey finals, while their domestic performance collapsed from fifth to 10th in the last 12 games. 

A year later it was Benfica who finished second in the Portuguese Liga, Taça de Portugal and Europa League. 

Chasing success in all competitions is a difficult business, but it is also part of Spurs' central ethos. 

Every Tottenham fan can quote the legendary Bill Nicholson quote as it pertains to chasing glory. 

The idea of husbanding resources and deliberately sacrificing one competition for another is anathema to the very core of the club. 

The squad is strong enough to compete in each competition, and that should guide Pochettino's decisions in the vital coming weeks. 

Fiorentina, Spurs' looming Europa League opponents, could very well play them off the pitch in Florence and end this debate single-handedly. Tottenham need not help them by selecting a weakened side. 

Winning is a habit. It's one that Spurs have found themselves in, and it is not one they should willingly abandon.