Still buzzing...
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 9:03PM The promised land. It took us years of wandering around in circles, lost and confused, before we found it and now having done so we've just gone ahead and stuck a massive flag in the centre, opened a deck-chair and sat puffing out smoke nonchalantly from a massive joint.
“Is it cause I’m Tottenham?”
No matter our faults, no matter the naivety displayed in prior CL games, no one can take away the fact that we are born entertainers, refreshing and rampant. Ladies and gentlemen. We’ve clicked. In the pulsating atmosphere in N17, we stepped up a gear and went from learning curve virgins to master-class sex gods.
Stunning, staggering, immense, epic...the superlatives won’t drown you - you’ll be floating on top of them, out-stretched, hands behind head basking in the glorious sun thanks to the glory glory night where boys became men became giants. And so be it if it was just for the one night only.
Someone said to me that I would have trouble writing up a concise report on the game. And to be honest, I've struggled. Mainly because I was going to report on the game much like most other reports and just found myself repeating most of those aforementioned glittering superlatives that the Tottenham nation are today rejoicing in. You’d think only Bale was on the pitch with the coverage our young cyclone stud is getting. Coverage he deserves for destroying Inter over three halves of football. But everyone at the game, in pubs, watching at home, abroad in the early hours - will have witnessed the rather magnificent bravado and confidence of the other men in Lilywhite who defended and counter attacked as part of the devastation.
Even when the Italian club pinged the ball about in possession, reminding us of their quality (Eto’o with a stunning sway and shot and goal too), we didn’t fold under pressure and neither did we betray our traditions. 2-1? Sit back? Nah guv, let’s get the ball down their end again. Notch a third. End them.
Special night, outstanding in so many ways (not least the noise made inside the ground). And the noise made by everyone's reaction to the manner of their dismantlement. I have no time for anyone who dares suggest this was Inter not paying us due respect and being tormented for it. They didn’t underestimate our quality pre-match regardless of the first half back in the San Siro. They simply couldn’t live with a Spurs side that dared to do and dictate. They had a few players missing, didn’t they? Well, so did we.
The movement, the focus and determination. The relentless work ethic and self-belief. Harry and his bullish soldiers defending home soil and banishing the invaders back across the waters. Taxis no doubt parked outside in waiting, no tips, other than next time perhaps assign Leonidas King of Sparta and 300 Spartans to man-mark Bale.
If you place the 'modest down to earth with out of this world ability' Gareth to one side re: Man of the Match there are several candidates you could otherwise award it to. Testament to everyone at the club. The perfect shift. Because without that team unity and desire, giving the ball to Bale would have accounted for very little if we were bypassed in midfield and leaking goals at the back.
So yes, struggling I am to write a concise report. Think most of us are still living it. Instead I’m going to take a look back at a few things from the match preview for the Inter game (a tidy letter to Daniel Levy) addressing one or two statements made.
> We lack that bit of extra something with regards to testicular fortitude.
We choked against Young Boys then dug deep, momentarily collapsed away to Bremen and then froze like rabbits in headlights before we recovered in the Giuseppe Meazza stadium. We’ve been waiting for this Spurs side to click not just in structure and backbone but in strategy and professionalism. Sure, it’s refreshing the way we go about learning our lessons in our debut season and we’re entertainers. The miseries on The Sunday Supplement said we were just having ‘fun’. No more. Now we are deadly serious. Mature and fearless in a game we were not expected to win. Testicular fortitude? Oh yes. Hopefully we’ve got some spare for Saturdays game against Bolton.
> We are what, 30%, 20% away from it clicking into place and working. The players we do possess for selection at the time of writing are more than capable of waking up and shaking themselves into the mentally powerful frame of mind - as seen last term in the push for fourth. We have it in us which is what's so frustrating. I don't buy all this 'Spurs over-extended themselves last season' nonsense. We fought for it. We need some of that fight back in abundance. And goals. Plenty of goals.
Two points here. We proved – even with missing injured players and with the apparent need to add two or three brand new players to the squad – we can find the resolve to compete against the very top top side in Europe (ignoring its Rafa deficiency). And it’s now time for the players to find this type of ethic every week, regardless of the opposition. van der Vaart said in his post-game interview ‘it’s only a game, it’s only three points’ or words to similar effect. That’s the right attitude. Let us – the fans – dance naked in the streets whilst they go back to work and do it all again next time round. Are we over-extending again? Or are we making the gradual step up to that next level? The latter. Obviously.
> We have to reclaim the swagger. Not give a f*ck about the opposition in terms of respect. Turn the tempo up.
It wasn’t outlandish swagger, more controlled and respectful. I guess showing no respect to Inter could have proved to be suicidal. But we cared not to weigh up the opposition and wait for them to settle. We took the game to them and scored a gem of an opener. I can still see Luka with his key, unlocking the door, and sending Rafael gate-crashing through. Don’t underestimate the quality of that goal. It was brilliant. Tempo duly turned up. Pace of the game not full throttle EPL thunder, but a notch up from the usual slow-paced CL football.
> Don't be afraid. Don't hold back. Play emotive sweeping football and play too our strengths. Retain possession, do not concede early, hassle them in midfield and please for the love of all things Lilywhite - be clinical in and around the box. The home crowd will have to play their part in all this too.
The Lane rocked. The midfield rocked with it. Really cannot say anything more than f**king brilliant re: our midfield. Huddlestone is vital to the side. Look up the stats, I’m certain we win more with him in the side than when he doesn’t play. Even when van der Vaart failed to appear in the second half, Jenas – of all players – was industrious. Matching the rest of his team-mates. Nobody was letting anyone down. Everyone with a job to do. Everyone with their fight face on.
> Momentum from this game if we win it could prove to be priceless. And you must agree, January will be easier to do business if we are heading towards the knock-out stages and sitting in 5th/4th.
As mentioned, we have to step it up in the Prem. I know that you don’t tend to play at the same level when facing the likes of West Ham or Wolves. But the quality of the opposing side shouldn’t matter if you do endeavour to push yourself to do your utmost to win. This attitude breeds winners. Few years back, had we beaten a top side, you’d say all this talk would be over-dramatic. But today? It’s part of the blueprint for the games ahead. We have it in us. We need to wave it about in everyone's face. Every week.
> Cudicini concentrate please. vdV might be back. Huddlestone also. Modric is on the verge of exploding into form. Bale has been contained in recent games so hopefully he'll adapt quickly with having to cope with fourteen men marking him. But if they do double up on him (or worse) then someone elsewhere on the pitch has an advantage if another someone else is quick enough to play that first someone in. Lennon continues to improve which is important.
> Concern about Kaboul in central defence who has that annoyance of switching off for a costly second far too often. Gallas still has to prove his worth to the side. Crouch will probably start, but call me crazy, I keep having visions of Pav doing very little other than being in the right place at the right time to plant the ball expertly into the net - something he can do. Does little else. But he has a habit of notching the goals.
Let's review. Player ratings, special mentions:
Cudicini - Corker of a save from the 'you're just a shit van der Vaart' free-kick. More confident in Gomes (even with his loopy meltdowns) but can't fault CC. Must feel great after the three he conceded in Italy. Far more assured.
Gallas – This is why he was signed. Commanding and in control aiding the defence at all times.
BAE – He plays football like it's an inconvenience that needs to be worked though so it's got out of his way. ‘Oh, I’m on a football pitch for 90 minutes, fine then, I’ll just run down the minutes by getting involved’. He never looks fazed. Uber-cool. Defended and pushed forward superbly.
Kaboul – Really didn’t expect this. He’s shown us signs before but has let himself down, but not this time. Great effort and discipline on the night. Prone to mistakes, hope he eradicates them from his game. Could turn out to be a monster.
Hutton – Got done on the goal, or is that too harsh of a criticism considering it was Eto’o? Still think he struggles positionally. And with Lennon ahead of him I'd still prefer to see Corluka there. However, time, it can heal. Just look at Gareth. Hutton has masses of potential.
Lennon – With each passing game, he reclaims some of that lost form. Thought he was excellent. Now imagine Azza at full pelt on one wing and whatshisface on the other.
Huddlestone – Did not look out of place. The questions we (as a collective) ask about his ability and whether he can stamp his authority on a game, once more answered. A tireless solid performance. Vital to us. Might not have played the quarter-back role he's accustomed too, but that just shows his versatility.
Jenas – Quite obviously followed the gaffers instructions to the letter. Didn’t stop with the lung-busting when he came on.
vdV –Yet another goal at the Lane. Loving it. World class performer who has galvanised the side. Supreme touch. No culture of comfort at Spurs no more.
Crouch – Another European goal. It works. Let’s have more faith. He worked his socks off for us.
Pav – I stand by my words. He doesn’t appear to do much, but score. I’m not complaining.
Modric – This is the Luka we know. Was involved in everything, buzzing all over the pitch – effective and instrumental in both offensive duties (the pass for the opener) and defensively (interceptions and mixing it up in the midfield battle). Wanted the ball at all times and retained and recycled possession expertly.
Bale – The media have gone a bit loopy, haven’t they? Broadsheet journos equally so. I can’t wait for James Richardson’s Football Weekly and the patronising thoughts of Barry Glendenning on whether he thinks Bale got lucky again. Ooh. Bale is a beast. We knew that. Everybody now knows it. He’s going to get better. Scary, eh? Looks a level headed polite lad. Gotta love him. Destroyed Maicon. Destroyed the Champions of Europe. It's pure fantasy right before our eyes.
Harry – And he’s meant to not have any tactical astuteness. Delegator come good. Or we can just give the credit to Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond.
> Let's remember what this club is all about in terms of its traditions. We might not have a massive haul of silverware but if you take any random Bill Nicholson quote you'll have your answer in terms of what it means to be a Spurs fan. Glory. Even if said glory is 90 minutes in length.
> I want a performance. I want a statement of intent and end product. I want the emotion. I want the swashbuckle.
> My spine is tingling. My head buzzing. Rediscover yourself Tottenham. Want it. Shout out that you want it. Then prove that you want it. Then don't let anyone stop you from taking it. You'll get more than a cuddly toy for your endeavours.
Job done. Haters? Stick it up your bollix. You’ll never understand what it means to be part of this club.
> I want a DVD.
No DVD to be released. Gutted. But I’ll deal with it. When I close my eyes, I can't re-open them for ninety minutes.
Still buzzing.
COYS.
Reader Comments (71)
My Bale boner hasn't subsided yet. Goons and Manure in the office were strangely silent as were the Pompey Harry haters!
Stick that up your bollix!
BALE BALE BALE!!!!!!!!!!
Great write up. Best moment of my Spurs life!
Love it Im buzzing too! Just watched it again on my Sky HD! COYS!!
So right to give credit to the others on the field. You Know Who was outstanding, but Lennon, Modric, vdV were all excellent
Where"s that West Ham Schmuck from last week gone..??COYS
...add to the mix that Le ARSEnal have lost and all is looking good in the garden of Lilywhite.
Lovely jubbly...
I'm re-watching this now.
I thought the week we beat woolwich and Chelsea was as good as it could get.
Then the City game.
Now this.
We deserve it too. We've sat through some utter hell in the 90s and (to a lesser extent) the 00s.
It's been hard, we've had our religion tested to the limit. Now we're in the promised land and it is exactly what it's cracked up to be.
I love you Tottenham.
PS To temper all that with some good old fashoined yiddo pessimism -- it'll be 1-0 to Bolton on Saturday. We can only seem to fry big fish.
What? No DVD? Really?
Slowly slowly we are moving on up. We are getting better and better. And one or two new players and we are going to be outrageously good.
Right! All get on a woolwich website to take the piss outof their loss... Oh yeah, we've far too much class and dignity.
Kaboul gallas and ekotto were excellent last night, the whole side was but kaboul for me was exceptional.
Quality reading as always. You left out Cudicini in your summary though: quality save when called for.
So I did. Will add.
Super write-up following a suspiciously prophetic preview... What a night! My single best moment in nearly 20 years of supporting this glorious football team. To a man, take a bow. That was breathtaking.
Excellent read, Cudicini also deserves a mention - save from Schneider free kick in first half was at a vital time.
I was most pleased with the defensive performance. We all know what Modric, vdV, Lennon, Bale, Pav and Crouch can do. I was not worried about the raising their games and playing to their natural abilities. I was bricking it think about Hutton and Kabul. They played their socks off and exceeded expectations. Kabul stayed awake for all 90- minutes, Hutton burst forward with confidence and came back and covered well. I prefer Corluka too. But I have to say. The whole team played on the field like they had a pair last night. I watched the goals about ten times when I got home. Triffic stuff. In the Champions League, no less.
I love to love Tottenham Hotspur.
Watch Bolton crush us
I bailed (pun) from work at lunchtime with a dental appointment excuse (California) and I am very happy I did!
Wonderful performance from the whole team. Now lads, let's make it count by beating Bolton on Saturday or else this was for nought.
COYS!
The DVD will wait for the group games. Group A Goal Glut or something. Or maybe wait till we get knocked out - or win it (!) - and will sell for a reasonable £15.
The last time I had sleepless nights about a full back leaving my club, his name was Stephen Carr. Sweet Jesus have we come a long way since then.
Yes. Still buzzing. This is what Tottenham is about. Glory, Glory, Glory, .."not waiting for the other team to die of boredom." Danny, Bill Nick the team is back on track. This is what we are about. Long may it continue. V proud of everyone involved and, Spooky, you are absolutely right. This is the spirit in which we have to play all our games.
COYS!
A couple of thoughts:
Even the west stand were singing last night. I look forward to hearing "We're the West Stand, We're the West Stand, We're the West Stand Tottenham" one day.
If football were like boxing, we would be Champions of Europe today.
'You won't get fourth, you mugs!"
"You lost to Pompey LMFAO! You'll get humiliated by us at Three Point Lane!"
"Lucky that van Persie was out! Gomes saved your bacon! Enjoy losing to chelsea!"
"Lucky John Terry was sent off! You won't get fourth, you're the Tiny totts! Forever in our shadow!"
"Bolton will do you one! Typical spuds, always muck it up! LMFAO!"
"Citeh will rip you a new one, just like West Ham four years ago!Enjoy fifth!"
"We'll all enjoy seeing you humiliated by some fourth-rate european team in the qualifiers."
"Young Boys did you over , what did I tell you? Dream on tiny little spuddies"
"Wait till you face the big boys...they'll anal you"
"You'll get raped by Inter Milan, Bale Modric and VDV will leave in January, and you'll go back from your one season of fluky success to be the little Spuddies again!"
"Hahahahahaha! 4-0 half-time! Not in our class, spuds!"
"Inter switched off ,they had it won...Means nothing, yid scummers like to pretend otherwise, you still lost!"
"They'll come over, finish the job at the Lane...Tottenham, embarrassment to English football..."
"But they didn't have milito! Or Cambiasso! And Rafa made them shit anyway...typical little spuddies, enjoying a fluke victor..wait 'till tomorrow, we'll show you how a real European giant does things..."
"We put out a team of youngsters 1 The game didn't mean anything! Eduardo's goal shouldn't have stood!"
Keep it coming, trolls. Keep it coming.
Lol, where are the quotes from?
What a night top class,now all we need to get Bale a decent song go u tube and listen to the saw doctors hay wrap song surely some spurs poet and put a few words to this tune Bale them bale them hay,hay the boy deserves it. What's up with Nicko? and if we can get Defoe fit the it could be a great season.
Was Maicon trying to psyche out Bale with the handshake early in the game? Ha!
Wanna see footage of Bales double drag back again, guess I'll have to wait for Show Boat.
And I'm with frontwheel, put all your money on Bolton.
PS one of your predictions had to come true at some point Spooky!
No way we are losing to Bolton on Sat. This team has clicked, Bolton 1 Spurs 4
Lol, where are the quotes from?
The mouths of cunts.
I am so envious of everyone who was able to see it at WHL! Just watching it on TV got me buzzing. I really cannot say how much Luka impressed me-- like you said, this is the one we know and it felt great to see him again. What a night (or evening, for me)!!!
I'm turning that into a video Dubai.
I cannot wait for Football Weekly. Can't wait to hear those mugs deal with the combo of our victory and their beloved Arse losing.
Has Brook turned up yet? Oh right.
Watch Bolton crush us
Hello, this is the mighty rock solid Tottenham we are talking about :)
Holler, Spooky! Good review!
That was one of, if not the best performances I have ever seen Spurs produce. I think I'm really going to enjoy this season!!!
Dubaispur, magnificent work! WE were fucking immense, for me Moddle was as good as Bale, really back to form. I do think a special mention should go to general Wilson, really sured things up when he came on, great to see him playing well. Still buzzing from it. Lets not let concentration slip against Bolton
COYS
you did so well keeping a lid on your excitement mr spooky, but the 'hutton has bags of potential' bit shows that you have indeed got a little carried away.
It's not even my material, that's the best part.;)
For once the whole footballing world has taken note of a club in north London called tottenham hotspur, COYS!! I love ya!!
Spooks
I have put your musings on 'favourites' there that good.
me finks i might have been a bit harsh on sir harry...im just starting to understand the difficult job he has got of trying to get(minimum) top 4 premier league and (qualify)second round knockout stage of the champions league...harry is just 1? or 2 games away from taking us into the knockout stages of the champions league..blimey...who would have thought it..could it be spurs at wembley?..spooks dont you think that its time that harry redknapp got a gong? he is the second longest serving manager in english football...apart from the fact he is our gaffer he realy should be getting a knighthood....no joke.....coys
Right on the nail with the grauniad football weekly, Spooky. I listen to it twice a week and that Glendenning's a real c*** ( I rarely use that word, actually.) He seems to have a pathological hatred of Spurs bordering on anti-Semitism. I hope he's on today's podcast and gets asked about the game.
This ranked as one of the great nights. The night we beat the reigning European champions over two legs after giving them a four goal start. Staggering, unbelievable achievment. Remember it. You witnessed a new page in THFC history.
To the tune by Outhere Brothers:
"Boom ! Boom ! Boom !
Lemme hear ya say;
Bale ! BALE !!!!!"
(Repeat chorus indefinitely).
Re: Hutton - if he sorts out his positioning and when NOT to get in Lennons way, we might be in luck. It's whether he can actually remain disciplined.
Harry out! Er?
I've waited a very, very long time for this.
There were signs in the run in last season and before that the Carling Cup win over Chelsea.
Faint tremours of something building up but this was a proper eruption.
They were warned at their place but they clearly though we had struck lucky or just blamed themselves.
Maicon especially is a very slow learner and Benitez too.
It wasn't their fault when it came to it, we were better than them and maybe not just on the night.
Respect to the team and Harry, this could be the real thing.
I'm lovin it.
Right it's Thursday now, however along with the ever presebt buzz post match (or is that just tinitus?) is this feeling that there's still room for improvement.
Someone's got to do it, someone got to see that it wasn't all sunshine and roses on Tuesday night. We were guilty in many areas, of many mistakes. cr'Ouchies skewed shot when Barren Dent himself would've shined in that exquisite pass from Baler which would've been 2-0 after what 25 mins? Especially when vdv was open and would've been gthe clever thing to do. God knows he had enough time just to cushion it for Rafa especially when the reflexes of the opposition would've gone for his shot.
Modric's misplaced header, or perhaps his leaving a foot in on Eto'o, the latter of which could've buried us if Sneijder had just shifted his foot a degree to the right.
Huttons wastefulness with the ball. I can recall only one cross that he made that was met with one of our heads and that was cr'Ouchies header onto the top of the bar which their goalie turned over to be on the safe side. Coupled with his leaving the defensive space behind him with no cover except for Azza who had to clean up for him. Reminds me of Glen Johnson and Azza at the world cup unfortunately. As for their goal...wtf didn;t he shepherd him away from goal, reduce his shooting angle?
Jenas' frightened nature when playing pass with Benny - and then looking at BAE as if saying, what are you giving it to me for, do something ffs. As we all know, a decent midfielder would have taken the ball, had a look up and seen what he could do with it, not just pass the buck to the left back.
However all these mistakes (and there were more including a vdv hoof from a good position into touch on the right wing) only serve to accentuate the beauty and entertainment of the game. There is no light without darkness, there is no brilliance without shade. A perfect game for me doesn't exist without imperfections, simply because we wouldn't b entertained in the same way.
Our loss of posession, our errors, our mistakes allowed the other team to have a go at us. It allowed the drama to unfold. It allowed for the parry, cut and thrust of attack and defence. It ensured that not only was this a spectacle, but that it was spectacular.
Spooky, I think your appraisal od VdV as someone who's galvanising this team is nearly right. However he's not just pulling all together, he's also setting expectations. This is just one game, this is just 3 points. All subsequent interviews with Bale, Modders said the same thing - enjoiyment, confidence, moving onto the next game and showing what we can do, what we have become.
The expectation from seasoned Spurs fans is that we'll implode against Bolton in a less glamorous fixture. That we can, as frontwheel said, only fry big fish. As much of an inconvenience it is to play these games inbetween the glamour ties, these are the ones that matter most - the ones that contenders should put away ruthlessly.
Big fish? Little fish? Chips with salt and vinegar please and an extra lemon for all the haters to bite into.
Another quality read Trembly. Wouldn't mind at all if played ugly to beat Bolton. Need to show the same level of commitment.