A consequence of losing Harry Kane and hiring Ange Postecoglou - a relatively unknown quantity in this country in June - was a palpable lack of expectation around Tottenham going into the season.
Few expected Spurs to even challenge for a top-four finish after last term's dismal slump, and even their most optimistic supporters would probably have settled for sixth place and an exciting cup run, as long as it meant a return to attacking football.
The absence of pressure on his young, new-look side has surely been a factor in Postecoglou's record-breaking start in the Premier League, and unbeaten Spurs can move five points clear at the top of the table with a win over Crystal Palace tonight.
Already, though, Tottenham's remarkable start under the Australian has raised expectations - prompting talk of a title tilt, even whispers of a Leicester-esque season and ultimately increasing the stakes for the visit to Selhurst Park.
It is one thing to win when the pressure is off, but quite another when you are widely expected to open up a gap at the top of the table.
Previous Spurs sides made an unwelcome habit of buckling under the weight of expectation - and squandered opportunities were a theme of last season.
The best example was the 3-3 draw at basement-club Southampton in Antonio Conte's final game in charge, when Spurs threw away a two-goal lead with 13 minutes to play and missed the chance to open up a four-point gap to fifth place.
Conte torched his players afterwards in a now-infamous rant, pointedly saying they did not like playing under pressure.
Tonight's game in south London is therefore a new kind of test for Postecoglou's young side; can they prove that this Spurs team is built differently and lay down a marker for the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal?
For his part, Postecoglou has no issue with raised expectations, although he has understandably dismissed talk that Spurs are already in a title race.
"Look if we’re in this position around [game] 36, 37… you know… I might look at the subject," the Australian said.
Asked about coping with raised expectations, he added: "I didn’t come here to not be successful. This club has all the fundamentals to be successful.
"The expectations should be there. Part of the reason why there’s been this real desperation for a trophy is because they feel that’s the space they should be in.
"That is the expectation. That’s the reality. But what drives me isn’t raising or trying to dampen expectations. What drives me is trying to build something that will realise the ambitions that this club has at this particular moment. People’s perceptions don’t concern me too much.
"This is a big club and should be in a position to challenge for trophies every season in my opinion."
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Number of goals Crystal Palace have scored in their last five games
Number of goals Crystal Palace have scored in their last five games
Postecoglou faces a decision over whether to rotate his XI given the tight turnaround from Monday's 2-0 win over Fulham, and Palace's two days' extra rest.
For the hosts, the question is whether last weekend's 4-0 thrashing by Newcastle was a blip or a cause for wider concern.
The Eagles are still missing injured duo Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, and their limp reverse at St. James' Park suggests the influential midfielders cannot return soon enough. Alarmingly, they have scored just once in five games, pointing to a lack of creativity and spark after a strong start to the season.
Palace's form only adds to the expectation on Spurs to keep winning, and Roy Hodgson yesterday compared Postecoglou's side to facing City or Arsenal.
Stylistically, that may be true, but tonight should offer another indication of whether Spurs really have what it takes to compete with last season's top two for the long-haul.
