Former Tottenham defender Steven Caulker has shared his view on what would constitute success for Spurs this season, despite the Lilywhites’ slow start to their Premier League campaign.Tottenham Hotspur’s start to the 2026/27 Premier League season has been nothing short of dreadful. The Lilywhites sit rock bottom on the Premier League table after a winless run in their first five games.This is particularly disappointing given the club spent close to £400 million in the summer transfer window – a record outlay – yet find themselves worse off than last season.IncomingsAndrew RobertsonFreeMarcos SenesiFreeMartin DubravkaFreeJan Paul van Hecke£52mMateus Fernandes£85mSandro Tonali£100mSavinho£85mOmar Marmoush£60mTosin Adarabioyo£12mMykhailo MudrykLoanTotal spent£394mOutgoingsLuka Vuskovic£50mWill Lankshear£20mRadu Dragusin£21mAlejo Veliz£7.7mAlfie Devine£6mTynan Thompson£8mManor Solomon£7mCristian Romero£34.1mAshley Phillips£20mDjed Spence£30mKevin Danso£25mPape Matar Sarr£25.6mTotal received£254.8mTottenham’s net spend£139.2mOf course, it is still early days and results could change, but few predicted such a poor start for Spurs this campaign.Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesSteven Caulker sets realistic expectations for TottenhamFormer Tottenham defender Steven Caulker admitted he initially expected Spurs to compete for a Champions League spot this season.However, with the side struggling at the foot of the table, he has now lowered his expectations. Speaking to Sky Sports, Caulker said: “I looked at the players and I went right, Champions League. I really felt that De Zerbi would get them there. “If I’m sat here today, I’d have to say let’s be more realistic – a top-half finish would be a success for Spurs this season. Let’s steady the ship, let’s get all the players in. “As you mentioned, there has been a lot of transition with the new players coming in and players leaving. A top-half finish will suffice and then of course they’d be able to build in the coming years.”Watch the full discussion here: https://t.co/jd1NV9ExcR— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 6, 2026Why a top-half finish would count as progress for SpursA top-half finish is certainly achievable for Tottenham and would represent progress given their last two league campaigns. Spurs finished 17th in back-to-back seasons, so simply avoiding another relegation scrap this year would be a step forward. Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts 1 Manchester CityManchester City5 5 0 0 13 5 8 15 2 ArsenalArsenal5 4 0 1 8 4 4 12 3 BrightonBrighton5 3 1 1 16 5 11 10 4 BrentfordBrentford5 2 3 0 10 4 6 9 5 LeedsLeeds5 2 3 0 7 3 4 9 6 LiverpoolLiverpool5 2 3 0 7 4 3 9 7 EvertonEverton5 2 3 0 6 3 3 9 8 Hull CityHull City5 2 2 1 6 4 2 8 9 NewcastleNewcastle5 2 2 1 9 9 0 8 10 ChelseaChelsea5 2 1 2 10 12 -2 7 11 IpswichIpswich5 2 0 3 7 11 -4 6 12 Manchester UnitedManchester United5 1 2 2 8 8 0 5 13 Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest5 1 2 2 4 5 -1 5 14 SunderlandSunderland5 1 1 3 6 10 -4 4 15 Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace5 1 1 3 6 11 -5 4 16 Aston VillaAston Villa5 1 1 3 4 9 -5 4 17 BournemouthBournemouth5 0 3 2 6 8 -2 3 18 CoventryCoventry5 1 0 4 1 10 -9 3 19 FulhamFulham5 0 2 3 5 8 -3 2 20 TottenhamTottenham5 0 2 3 2 8 -6 2 Before they can begin to look upwards, however, De Zerbi’s men need to secure their first win. Doing so this weekend against fellow strugglers Manchester United could provide the spark they desperately need.READ MORE: ‘Crazy situation’ – Fabrizio Romano reveals what will happen next between Richarlison and TottenhamThe post Steven Caulker reveals where Tottenham must finish to have a 'successful' Premier League season appeared first on Spurs Web.