The phrase “Dr Tottenham will see you now” is a self-deprecating expression used by Tottenham Hotspur fans to humorously acknowledge their team’s tendency to lose against weaker opponents. This season, Spurs have suffered unexpected defeats against teams like Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town, prompting fans to resurrect the ironic phrase. The upcoming Europa Conference League match against Hoffenheim presents another potential “Dr Tottenham” moment, especially considering the German side’s own struggles. Should Spurs falter against a team battling relegation in the Bundesliga, fans can be expected to once again invoke the now-familiar refrain.
Hoffenheim’s season has been nothing short of a disaster. With only seven wins in 27 games across all competitions, they find themselves precariously close to the relegation zone. While Tottenham’s league form has been disappointing, relegation seems unlikely. The same cannot be said for Hoffenheim, whose recent 3-1 victory against Holstein Kiel offered a brief respite from their otherwise dismal campaign. This win, coming after a nine-game winless streak, provided some much-needed relief, but their overall performance this season paints a bleak picture.
The tension at Hoffenheim reached boiling point following a humiliating 5-0 defeat against Bayern Munich. Veteran striker Andrej Kramaric, a stalwart of the club for a decade, unleashed a scathing critique of the team’s performance and the club’s management. His expletive-laden rant highlighted the deep-seated frustration within the team, as he openly questioned the club’s investments and the overall direction of the season. Kramaric’s outburst, while appreciated by some fans, drew criticism from the club’s hierarchy and some teammates, highlighting the fractured state of affairs at Hoffenheim.
Kramaric’s frustration stems from the stark contrast between Hoffenheim’s current predicament and their past successes. Having experienced European football, including the Champions League, in several seasons with Hoffenheim, Kramaric feels the club’s current performance is a betrayal of their potential. His criticism targeted the club’s spending, which, despite totaling £56 million on eight new players – the fifth highest in the Bundesliga – has yielded little improvement. He specifically pointed to the underwhelming performances of new signings like defender Robin Hranac and forward Haris Tabakovic, further emphasizing the disconnect between investment and results.
Kramaric’s tenure at Hoffenheim contrasts sharply with his brief, unmemorable spell at Leicester City. Signed for £9.5 million in January 2015, he initially impressed, even keeping Jamie Vardy out of the starting lineup for a short period. However, his impact faded, and he scored just three goals in the latter half of the season. The following season, the season of Leicester’s fairytale Premier League title win, Kramaric was largely sidelined by manager Claudio Ranieri. He made only two substitute appearances, insufficient to qualify for a winner’s medal. Subsequently, he was loaned to Hoffenheim in January 2016, where he has remained, becoming a key figure for the club until this season’s downturn.
The upcoming match between Tottenham and Hoffenheim presents an intriguing dynamic: two teams grappling with their own internal struggles and desperately seeking a positive result. While Tottenham fans may use the “Dr Tottenham” moniker to prepare for potential disappointment, Hoffenheim’s internal turmoil, exemplified by Kramaric’s outburst and their poor form, suggests they are equally vulnerable. The match offers both teams a chance to alleviate some pressure, but it also presents the risk of further exacerbating existing problems. For Tottenham, a loss against a struggling Hoffenheim would only amplify the calls for manager Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal, while for Hoffenheim, another defeat could further deepen the divide within the club and push them closer to the relegation abyss.
