Is there a more potent example of the theory that happiness is relative than the behaviour of football clubs and their supporters?



Charlton Athletic, who had been a lower-league club for most of their recent history, became bored of mid-table Premier League finishes and sacked Alan Curbishley in 2006. They are now relieved to be back in the Championship after three years in League One.



Newcastle, fighting relegation when he was appointed in 1999, parted company with Sir Bobby Robson five years later in the aftermath of failing to qualify for the Champions League. This season, avoiding dropping down to the second tier for the third time since 2009 would feel almost miraculous.



At present-day Tottenham, it’s possible something similar is happening. When Mauricio Pochettino was appointed, simply qualifying for the Champions League was heralded as a major achievement. Now, in their fourth straight season in the competition — four months after...