Spurs sell their best players and spend every penny they get from the sale to try and bring the club closer to Champions League football. That's the difference.
I agree with that totally. But it's not the point here. Most PL clubs are vulnerable especially if a player wants to leave as Cabaye obviously does.
It's the same for every club in the league bar 3/4.
Spurs have sold their best player practically every season in succession: Modric, Bale, Berbatov, etc..