To dream the impossible dream
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 2:40PM 4th spot is still up for grabs and mathematically there are still plenty of sides left in with a shout. Regardless of what twists and turns remain to be played out this season - anyone positively excited by the continued evidence of mental strength and belief within the squad?
Of course you are.
We've had key player(s) missing through-out the entirety of the season. We've at times been pessimistic (a consequence of the past) when the likes of King or Lennon have sat on the sidelines, and yet we have dug deep and shown intent and ambition. Everytime we think Harry and the side are about to tune into another episode of 'One foot in the grave', we change the channel back to 'It ain't half hot mum'. The remote control, firmly in our hands, and no longer lost behind the sofa.
I like this new-improved Tottenham. It's young yet has calm, focused heads, maturing through-out the season, but still knows how to sex it up when required. It's all about the confidence. We'll be playing naked soon, in transparent shirts and shorts.
Keep shaking your junk Spurs.
Gomes, Dawson, Bassong, BAE, Corulka, Bale, Modric, Huddlestone, Lennon, Kranjcar, Palacios, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko. Add the bionic-cameo King to the mix and there's a solid backbone to the side. One that is quietly understanding that the comfort zone of yesterday, the one that Michael Carrick famously refereed to, is no longer an acceptable place to sit snoozing in. Players have overcome personal demons and erratic form and have thus united in spirit.
The arguments about still requiring a talismanic forward (think Berbatov without the sulk) will continue to be discussed. Along with various for/against opinions on the likes of Defoe, Crouch and Pav and the fact we don't bury half the chances we create. Others still remain uncertain about Huddlestone. There are tactical quirks on whether Modric is better suited to the left or the middle and if he plays left does that mean Bale slots into left-back with BAE on the bench? Or should the BAE/Bale marauding act continue with Moddle in the middle alongside Huddlestone. Or Wilson. Or Sandro (next season). Dawson continues to make up for what he lacks with pace, with 100% commitment and desire. England? Why the heck not. Bassong, an unsung hero of sorts, growing in stature with every game. You almost forget about the fallacy that we are meant to be crap without Ledley and when he does play you remember just how great of a player he is, and it's 'ok' that he only plays once a month or so.
All analysis aside, the fact remains, the team is in the battle for fourth and our reaction to the semi-final loss has been one of unequivocally togetherness. That's not just the players, but the fans at the Lane - who have played a massive part in the belief process that is required to play out during the past two league games.
Sure, there have been knee-jerks. Losing 3-1 to Sunderland hurt and it's quite expected that some people reacted with the most negative of reactions. Although it's equally apparent that it's exaggerated tenfold in a positive fashion when we win. But nobody can argue about the manner of the victories against the red and blue scum. It's credit long time coming.
Other's have remained loyal to their beliefs and continue to suggest that Harry is still not the right man for the job (the logic here that a better manager would get even more out of this side - although surely stability is the key that we've never bothered to use to unlock that Champions League door?).
So massive group hug everyone? Pat on the back. Well deserved all-round, no?
United away on Saturday will be far more difficult that the last two games. Mainly because Harry has to try and second guess what Fergie might do in order to congest the midfield and stop the likes of Bale and Modric from playing. Unless Harry has already considered the possible tactic from Ferguson and...you get the gist. It's going to be tight.
We could get away with a point. A defeat wouldn't end our season or damage the remaining run-in because we have proven we are not a soft touch. Unless of course André Marriner (the ref for Saturday) is replaced by a bot, remote controlled by Howard Webb who then proceeds to award United a penalty after a foul near the corner-flag to change the course of the game in their favour and then we concede an extra three goals because that's tradition.
Heads down, emotionally drained, wearing our 'plucky loser' hats again? Thanks but no thanks.
It's a tiresome excuse. Although arguably we've not been helped by the standard of refereeing in the past, in the face of diversity, we should be inspired to right the wrongs. No more psychological capitulations. We owe it to ourselves to get past this challenge as another gauge of just how far we've come and how far left we have to journey.
United have to win to keep the pressure on and their title dream alive. We have to win, to compound the pressure on the teams directly below us. Palacios will be available. Lennon - don't know. United, much like Arsenal and Chelsea are beatable. Focus Spurs, focus.
I'm drooling. Can't wait for it.
A United fan pointed out to me that if they do win the title, apparently it will be a record of sorts, thanks to the amount of games they've lost this season. Which is further evidence of just how open the Premier League is becoming.
Now, just think what we could possibly achieve with a squad that skips past potential depletions and injuries and has an extra one or two squad players added for good measure. Champions League would cement and consolidate all the hard graft and stop key players flirting and bring in new players of the ilk required. No old Scottish men blowing kisses in the direction of Bale, Modric and Palacios thank you very much. Not this summer ta. And don't get me started on the project at Eastlands. You can already half make out what they might attempt to do.
So, the players, the manager, the fans...
To dare is to f*cking do.
COYS.
Reader Comments (79)
Beautiful Spooky, just beautiful (wipes tear from eye)
Excellent read.
COYS
Good summary of fans' feelings this week. After Saturday it could all be back to 'Arrys rubbish at tactics and we need 5 new players.......but 'til then lets dream.
It's all about City this week, our result doesnt matter half as much as theirs.
When was the last time the goons done us a favour?
Just watch the Arse let City win on Saturday, bastards
Good read! I just hope we don't go into the game too cocky & get complacent! I could also do wtihout the couldv'es & the shouldves after the game!!
Have some respect & remember YOU ARE SPURS!!!!! COYS
just a thought theres a fair chance of scum doing us a favour, because i heard la perse will start and is fit for 90 mins
do you change a winning team? in a word, yes. thats what great managers do. even more so when youre playing at old trafford. we will need wilson.
We have to win at OT. Okay, we don't have to, but the players should believe we have to. I think City will beat Arsenal.
I really can't see L'Arse losing to City, they've just lost two league games in a row, surely being at home they'll take 3 points
Another game live on tv.
So many lives games for such a little club.
my dad is taking me to old trafford for my 14th birthday present
im so excited, there is no reason why we can't beat them
COYS
Love it, cant believe the change in just over a week from looking into the bottom of a glass wondering whats the point of carrying on after Wembley, to beating the scum, then chavs and dreaming of a hatrick against united. This has been a season to remember for the right reasons, lets finish the job our boys deserve the chance to strut their stuff in the Champiosn league next season COYS!
Great article Spooky. Best squad since the glory days of Ozzie, Villa, Archibald, Crooks, Hoddle etc...Potentially even better. Hope Wilson plays..need a street-fighter at Ancient Trafford. We owe Manure big time..been crucified by the refs in the past..and then rolled over. Don't think it will happen this time, given recent form. This squad has the steel , the belief and most importantly.. the ability. Just hope Lennon is at least fit enough to sit on the bench and come on in the second half. The sight of him and Bale cutting through United like a hot knife through butter, would be something to behold.
Just like the Team I follow in the Australian Football League, Geelong. As a fan, we no longer dream about success, we expect it!!
COYS for ever and ever Amen!!
Arsenal have to win - they're 7 points behind us with an extra game played. We're looking over their shoulders.
Losing in the FA Cup in the manner we did hurts and like Spooky says, the way some of us react is to assume the worst possible reasoning.
Author of Comment 3:11pm. Are you a gay red or a gay blue?
Spooky called Top 4 months back. He's just showing off.
tough game? Settle for a draw I think.
As long as City don't win this game does not matter too much, goal difference is still a factor though.
Author of Comment is a gay Lilywhite.
Hey ! Easy on the Lillywhite !
Rooney, Berbatov. They have players who can hurt us.
Okay. They have one player who can hurt us.
Can I point out one thing?
Liverpool away. We had high hopes there. I hope the players have genuinely moved on from those type of results. The type were the hype is on our side and we falter.
Spooks, you are establishing yourself as the flagbearer of the march toward Champions League.
I print your blogs off and send them to my dad, who doesn't have internet.
He loves your stuff as do I.
COYFS
I'm a terrible pessimist. I go to every game expecting us to lose. I certainly don't expect us to go to Old Trafford and get anything.
However, I will say this: Manchester United must be shitting themselves at the prospect of playing a Spurs side that's beaten Arsenal and Chelsea inside a week. We've got a manager who is both tactically adept and capable of motivating his players. In Bale, Dawson and Gomes, we have players in the form of their lives. United's players are going to be under a lot of pressure to win the game. I expect them to be cagey and I don't see why we can't exploit this.
COYS!
Brilliant read.. And it can be done.. Keep the faith you Spurs you were immense in your last to games...coys.
Arse are going to be up for revenge against City and Adebayor's goal celebration when they won earlier in the season. They also want to put daylight between themselves and us. I reckon they'll do us a favour. I also think it's possible that we could more or less secure 4th spot at the end of the Bolton game - if City lose to both Arsenal and Villa, while we get a point against Manure and beat Bolton. Sweet.
I honestly wish we play United tomorrow while we are still in the “zone” of not thinking but just doing it, because Spurs tend to "over think" their tactics that at the end exacerbate players’ ability putting them at risk of being over exasperated in big derbies. However, there is a reasonable hope that we’ll change this “tradition” as well as we have abolished “throwing towel at the end” tradition.
MATT -THE -YID, hope you have a great trip 4 your birthday mate!!! Spooky it is like reading a speech by Winston Churchill!!!!!!! we can do it and i think Arsne's lot will actually win just to spite that orrible man from Togo. Gary Neville must be having sleepless nights knowing he will be skinned alive by Bale!! COYS
I also think it's possible that we could more or less secure 4th spot at the end of the Bolton game - if City lose to both Arsenal and Villa, while we get a point against Manure and beat Bolton. Sweet.
Apr 20, 2010 at 3:58 PM | - Big Fish
I'm hoping this too. Would prefer to avoid a final day situation. Said it before, but if we have to go to Burnley and win, their Claret and Blue colours are tinged with way too many ironic threads for my liking.
And West Ham will no doubt let City win.
We're still basically the same team that lost to:
Man U (H), after 5 wins on the spin;
Chelsea (A);
Arsenal (A);
Man U (A), CC;
Liverpool (A), after 6 game unbeaten run.
Wilson in the middle with Luka out left and Bale back in left back. Lennon, I pray can come off the bench.
Any news?
This is soooooooooo important like the great man says that red nose scot and the other lot from that way will be eyeing up some of our players and the way to stop our boys walking that well trodden path to Manchester is get in the Champions league. We would then become the vulture instead of the prey and be looking at other teams best players instead of worrying about ours being poached. This could be the start of something very very special, 4 games left stand firm, be proud and please no what if's come May, we can do it, COYS
We will beat ManU. Neville will be sent off.
The Marsh Dwellers (this time as they so generously rolled over for us last week I've extended them the honour of capitals) must win, they have to win. After losing to us, and then Wigan away, a home win, whoever it's against, is an imperative; it's the only way they can address (short-term) a number of deep-seated problems. Lose and shit hits the fan.... big-time. That being said, I'm of the It's-What-We-Do-That-Matters-Not-Them school of thought. So COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quality as always Spooky!
Also, totally echo Durham Spur's point about how we are ALL feeling this week: the contrast between despair at losing the semi to the south coast bankrupts who were deprived of most of their team .... to ecstasy at winning 2/3 of our notoriously difficult run-in, against the 2 of the teams we hate the most, and so often lose to. Talk about troughs and peaks!
United? Bring 'em on!!
Ferguson will probably take another re-mortgage on his soul to win this game in the 103rd minute of the game.
The scum fans are going to give some stick to Citeh, especially Adebayor and Toure (is he injured? ah who cares), which I think will rock them a little bit. I don't see them managing a result at the Emirates. I hope.
I think we've got a great chance of getting something at OT, probably a point, but I honestly don't remember the last time we beat them. It just doesn't happen, especially up there. I hate them for it and being a Spurs fan has still led me to believe the worst and act surprised and ecstatic if/when we win.
I reckon I was not far off a heart attack for the last five mins of the NLD last week. Less so at the chavs though because we dominated. I'm not sure my ticker can stand the excitement of it all.
COYS!
The real battle will begin in the off-season when 'subtle' campigns to destabilise Bale, Lennon and Dawson will begin from the Man Utd acolytes that are the press, a la the Berbatov saga in the past. If Spurs are for real they must hold their real talent and if clubs really want the nearly men like Hutton, Tarraat make them bleed.
We'll know when we're a threat 'cos the Fergie mind games will start.
I notice city play west ham on the last day, has anyone taken the oppurtunity to recommend the lasagne
Fergie is probably worrying about Bale and planning to have more than one defender mark him.Such a situation would be ideal for the return of Lennon.This is a new era.No longer will the team cave in, even if we have a goal unfairly disallowed as we did in the past.
I definitely think BAE should be kept as a LB, and Bale continues as a winger. Bale has been so much better in defence than before, but I think it would be best if he put all his energy in terrorising the opposition's defence.
As a result Modric should be in the hole I reckon. Obviously the Lightning Count, Lennon on the right. Huddlestone/Palacios/Sandro/Kranj etc should then fill in the gap there depending on the opposition I'm guessing. All in all it would be good to see rotations, once done properly of course.
Striker wise, Crouch has a good record for club and country and he works harder than Super Pav I would say, but I still think we need a striker who just loves scoring for fun, or our strikers need to find a hunger for goals. Nevertheless sweet season, and although I know I would be disappointed if we don't maintain our position to the end. That being said we gained a lot this year around and its been the best season I've seen in years.
Love this club! SPURS!!!!!
This is the game where we need a Spartacus type leader, taking us into battle with a team of gladiators.
We're facing a team that could be compared to the Roman Empire of old........
We need 11 men willing to step into that colloseum, to fight for their lives.......
To fight like they are chained together, when one man falls, another man lifts him back up......
We've taken down Arsenal.
We've taken down Chelsea
Now is our chance to take down United and "Kill Them All"
Sorry - I've been watching too much "Spartacus: Blood and Sand"
Bale on the left wing please. If he's at left back then he'll be pinned back by Valencia and wont be able to twist Neville's blood.
It's still going to come down to the City away game although they have a tricky trip to Upton Park if the Spammers need a win to stay up.
Exciting, isn't it? By the end of the season we'll have more points, have scored more goals and have had better cup runs than the last time we came this close to 4th spot glory. And that was up against a very dodgy Arsenal side. This time we're battling against City, Liverpool and Villa. Well done, Harry.
"To dare is to fuckin do". Damn right Spook!
Thanks for the fine reading!
I'm so up for this. Bale is sure to play LW cos they'll have to have valancia or scholes dropping to cover him and thus giving Moddle more time to work his magic!
My massive concern is getting 4th and not being capable of fighting on 2 massive fronts next season. Getting a real proven goal scorer is a must in the summer. With bale and Lennon on form they'd be capable of bagging 30 a season!
Fucking COYS!!!
Good article, enjoyed reading it..May i just add to that saying " If Spurs end up in 4th and hopefully they will, i reckon it is the door to challenge for the title and establish as one of the top teams in Europe. Thats how important it is." i think Spurs are moving into the top tier of the Premiership, and they are going to be there to stay."
Coming into this week even before the Semi final, even the most optimistic fan would have taken 4/5 points at that point. We have 6 already. Whatever happens Saturday will be a bonus. Arsenal are hurting and will want to stuff a shaky city side so we can assume a zero points return for the citizens. The Players will go into this game with no pressure. I'm sure Harry will encourage them to have a go, attack an aging United team and take what comes.
In a sense there has never been a better time to 'Dare' at their bit!
Great article Spooky as usual
COY(F)S
As long as we win I dont care if shitty take it up the arse or not. I mean if the arse win then we move further away from shitty and if they loose, then we are still in 4th and both ourselves and shitty will breathing down their necks.
anyone for 3rd ;)
Nice artical Spooky.
COYS!!!