Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou [Will Palmer/SPP]

DESPITE the good vibes created by signing a number nine in Dominic Solanke, and despite Ange Postecoglou’s claims that it has been a positive pre-season, the jury remains out.

Will Tottenham offer anything more than the occasional game when Ange-Ball clicks and fans get over-excited, followed by the usual defeats against limited but well-organised opponents, and then the predictable collapses against top-four contenders?

On the strength of the fresh faces recruited, and despite the new centre-forward, the chances the script will change seem slim.

Let’s assume Solanke can fill the Harry Kane-shaped hole of last term: it still leaves Ange trying to balance his midfield, and work out how best to fit Dejan Kulusevski and Brennan Johnson into the side. And then there are the worries over cover for his first choice full-backs.

To talk up Tottenham’s prospects relies on projecting into the future: with a rash of potential stars in the youth ranks, Spurs look good for the season after next. But as the new campaign starts away at Leicester City on Monday night, there is a sense that expecting this current crop to excel can only be seen through a pair of large, blue and white-tinted spectacles.

Instead, this squad remains a work in progress and there is a strong sense that the current cycle of players is simply not good enough to genuinely challenge the top four.

Are Tottenham a generation away? With the likes of Archie Gray, Mikey Moore, Lucas Bergvall and Will Lankshear learning their trade on the fringes of the first-team squad, or even knocking on the manager’s door for matchday action this season, there is a bright future in store.

If we are talking about a side ready for sometime around 2026, does it mean Postecoglou will be allowed to stick about?

The pre-season omens are mixed: in the home friendly against Bayern Munich two goals were cheaply conceded from set-pieces, the achilles heel of the side last term. By the looks of things it’s a problem that has not been addressed.

Another uncomfortable issue is the form of James Maddison. After a blistering start to his Tottenham career he got injured and then was so poor on his return Ange dropped him.

There is a chance the team’s playmaker remains broken: seasoned Maddison watchers will note his attitude – frustration at his poor form was on show for all to clearly see.

If Maddison can’t give his head a wobble, it makes the rumoured £60m chase of Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze even more vital.

Looking more closely at the positives, the purchase of Solanke shows Ange is being listened to by the board.

Spurs could have signed Ivan Toney from Brentford for about half the figure they paid Bournemouth for Solanke, which suggests Ange really wanted him. But whether Postecoglou will be given beyond November to execute the long-term project if results are so-so is a wager I wouldn’t put a quid on.