Tottenham Hotspur football club is an enigmatic entity at the best of times.
But this season they’ve stoked the bewildering nature of the club to unprecedented levels.
Narratively, the Lilywhites are in the doldrums; it feels as if the latest chapter of some great tragedy unfolds every few days.
This is particularly true right now, off the back of a mind-numbingly insipid performance at home to AC Milan in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie, a display that promoted Richarlison to state: “This season has been s**t.”
The hosts offered next to nothing despite desperately needing a goal to avoid a limp exit from the competition with Cristian Romero’s reckless red card adding an obligatory shade of farce to proceedings.
Even the most patient, level-headed supporters have had their patience tested this month as Wednesday night’s disappointment followed a 1-0 loss to Wolves which in turn came shortly after elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of a second string Sheffield United side.
And yet, amid what feels like a torrent of misery, Spurs remain fourth in the Premier League – how is that possible?
Recency bias is most definitely a factor contributing to the existence of this paradox.
Because Spurs’ season has effectively disintegrated in the last ten days, it’s hard for fans, rivals and neutrals alike to focus on anything else.
For example, it’s easy to forget that Antonio Conte’s side started the season with an undefeated streak that lasted until October.
They also have Harry Kane, whose return of 18 goals in 26 league appearances would have demanded more attention had Erling Haaland not turned the Golden Boot race into a procession before Christmas – Man City’s No9 has 27 goals and counting in his debut Premier League campaign.
Additionally, Spurs have been helped out in their quest for Champions League qualification by the fact that two other members of the so-called ‘big six’ (Chelsea and Liverpool) have endured significant problems of their own.
Then there’s the inconsistent nature of their results.
The north London club have drawn just three of their 26 league games this term, the joint-fewest in the league, leaving 14 wins and nine defeats.
However, given that they lost just one of their first ten league games, that means they’ve suffered defeat in eight of their most recent 16 fixtures – it’s hard to be optimistic when you’re losing every other game, as Spurs effectively have done since mid-October.
Perhaps the most significant factor in the disparity between how Spurs are perceived and their relatively high placing in the table is the quality (or lack thereof) of the football.
Conte has never implemented Ajax-esque Total Football but, when everything clicks, his sides do possess a certain dynamism, as Spurs did at the back end of last season.
In recent months, however, their play has generally been slow and uninspired with Kane having to shoulder a huge amount of responsibility in terms of attacking thrust.
The Italian tactician has his reasons for losing interest in his duties and most fans have had sympathy for him throughout a difficult few months personally, but season-ticket holders have ever right to feel frustrated with how things have unravelled.
On current form, it seems unlikely Spurs will hang onto fourth; Liverpool are three points behind with a game in hand and a superior goal difference.
Newcastle are four points adrift with two games in hand and swaggering Brighton have a whopping three games in hand, though they’re seven points behind.
And it wouldn’t be wholly surprising if Fulham and Brentford, both at the opposite end of the morale scale, finished with more points than Spurs come the end of May either.
If the worst case scenario does happen and Conte’s side do end up in the featureless plains of mid table then there will be no paradox, just thorough disappointment.
And if by some miracle Kane and company hang on for Champions League qualification, there will still be calls for a hard reset in the summer.