Bucking the trend, the Tottenham way
Friday, April 23, 2010 at 12:03PM Another game live on television, another game against a 'top 4' side, another potential club DVD release in the making.
Spurs away to Manchester United. The Theatre of Illusions. Illusions usually comprising of us looking like we might do something positive and complete and then capitulating, mostly in cartoon fashion thanks to a decision that was forged in the Imaginarium of Doctor Webb. It's a conspiracy they cry. What about the Mendes goal, as tears are wiped from face. It's tiresome now. Much like losing to Chelsea was once upon a time a bore. And much like going 20 odd league games without a win against Woolwich.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes (turn and face the strain).
We got brushed aside by Utd earlier this season, and ignoring last seasons OTT OT experience, we either tend to do well against them but never win at home (Tevez last second anyone?) and flatter to deceive away. It's the last remaining curse that needs ending. Less said about the Carling Cup game up there the better. That type of performance has to be avoided at all costs because it will leave most of us tragically empty.
No matter how you look at this fixture, pound-for-pound, it's a test on so many levels. We've beaten Arsenal and Chelsea, so all eyes on Tottenham because some are expecting to see us continue our good form and upset the Champions. Some (Chelsea) need us to. Others see United as the ones under pressure because they simply cannot afford to lose, which means an early Spurs goal could make it cagey for them (although if it stays at 1-0 deep into the second half we'll still have to score another three goals to be certain of a point once we enter Fergie-Time at the end of the 90 minutes). Harry is also under the spotlight. Tactically, he has been on the money in the past two games and the side have been galvanised with renewed belief and confidence. He wasn't meant to be good enough to out-wit the 'Big boys'. Fergie will no doubt attempt to stop us from playing. How they handle Modric and Bale will be of much interest and how Harry plans to counter any Fergie counters will be equally interesting. One thing about United is they work hard. We'll have to match that. And there's the Berbatov equation to consider. He tends to do alright against us. But arguably both sides have match-winners.
My panties are soaked in anticipation.
I understand the mathematics. With City the main threat, Villa should also not be discounted either. And as mentioned in prior weeks, defeat will not be a disaster (just remember everyone's predictions before we played the red and blue scum). But a point or more would/could demoralise our competition. And if Arsenal and Wenger, hurting badly, look to reclaim some of their lost self-respect against Adebayor and friends - the calculator will be hot with the pushing of buttons. But to be honest, I'd rather City thrash Arsenal and we beat United and then City when we play them and take 4th that way. The closer we get to the red scum the better. As long as we believe in ourselves and not the hype.
I'm not going to attempt to second guess Harry with tactics or selection. Palacios is back, he might play. He probably should but that could see Bale return to left-back and Modric to left-wing blah blah blah. Regardless of the who's and where's (Lennon super-sub back on the bench?) one thing we have proven this season is that we can mix-it up. The players have a decent (more then decent) comprehension of what it means to push for it. 'It' being progress and success. Success at the moment, measured in the way of proving to ones self that we are worthy of our position and worthy of more.
The players have a taste for it. A winning mentality. Only the brave can dare to push on further and continue the feast.
So, this club, this Lilywhite majesty of swagger and grit. Stand up, stand tall, be proud. And just go for it. Go for their jugular and use any obstacle or injustice as inspiration to punish them back. No textbook white flag of surrender. No apologetic here we go again looks. No turning of heads back towards yesterday.
What's happened has happened and can't be changed. The future is crafted by the hands (well, the feet in this case) of the ones who dare to control their own destiny. United are masters of it. This won't be easy. And most would agree, historically, out of the three 'horror' fixtures in April - this was the one we sort of expected to get nothing out of. Most of us didn’t think we'd get more than two points from the previous two. We're six up.
Don't worry or concern yourselves with the negatives when the positives are so much easier to embrace.
Buck. The. Trend.
To dare is to do. COYS.
spooky
The excellent 'The Republik of Mancunia' has an interview up with little old me talking Spurs v Utd. Check it out. Click here to read it.
For a Reds match preview, read this.
Reader Comments (133)
"My panties are soaked in anticipation"
Please don't ever say this again...it cunjures up horrible horrible imagines.
First BTW!
sorry about my terrible typos above....the pressure of being first got to me!
My panties are soaked in shame!
I have made 14 fruitless away trips to OT now (including the scum semi final) and never seen us win - except Pedrogate, which was a moral victory rather than the 3 point sort. I don't think we'll win tomorrow, and even if we don't, it still in our own hands. A point or more would be a massive bonus. COYS.
Cracking read. The hairs on my neck are standing up. Audere Est Facere! COYS!! Let's do it!
P.s. My panties are similarly dampened.
I also have us down as a 3-0 defeat on Predictor - so anything other than a loss will be a big bonus. Spurs away from WHL are a different animal. Here's hoping 'arry and the boys surprise us again.
COYS!
COME ON YOU FUCKING SPURS!!
A win at Old Trafford has been coming for way too long. We've got the confidence, we've got the players, now let's go out there and prove that THIS Tottenham are a different animal.
You to polite Spooky today, to dare is to f...ing do...........
I just flicked my panties at Gary Nevilles head, there hanging off his nose
Yidioyiddo - 14 away trips to OT! Please tell me you're not going tomorrow! Not calling you a jinx, but.....
;-)
I wonder who the ref is.........
So many horror trips to OT, it is time, it really is time and after the last 2 results I have pride in my heart and belief at long last. Not the usual belief which is nothing more than hope, but the kind that has foundation.
I have to work tomorrow but I will be streaming the game from some dodgy website with stutters and glitches however I don't give a shit that there is a first aid seminar in the board room........we win....I am going fucking mental!!!!!
Come on boys lets have this!!
BTW if we do this lot on saturday I promise to get the dates and scores of the 3 glorious victories tattooed somewhere on me!
TShill7 - You'll be glad to know I'm watching this from the comfort of my armchair - not worth taking the risk as we're going so well! If we win on Saturday, I'll consider never making the trip again! Can't wait for Citeh away though, that's the cup final right there.
We've got the chops to win this one, or at least get a point, but as ever it depends on a bunch of factors. Rooney will be the key for them. If we contain him or he's below par then we can match them all over the park. We need to start well too, silence the crowd and if we finally get to see Bale tear Neville a new one on the left and Lennon weave his magic on the right, even for just 45, then there's no telling what could happen. Key for me is having King and Dawson at the back, a solid foundation to build on. Pav must start too. I feel Defoe suffers from that traditional English malaise, when faced with a clear cut chance to slay the dragon and attain immortality a clumsy wide slice will be conjured out of nothing. We also need to weather the inevitable fifteen minutes of injury time at the end if the result isn't going their way, but lately we've got much better at that.
Anyone that believes in karma will have high hopes for this one. We deserve it, just like the last two, but we've got to work for it, just like the last two.
That would be one hell of a hat-trick.
COYS
"I'd rather City thrash Arsenal and we beat United and then City when we play them and take 4th that way. The closer we get to the red scum the better."
100% agreed. I never want the Woolwich Wanderers to win any game, ever.
We'll do this for ourselves, without the taint of their help, thanks very much.
Also, not forgetting, third is still possible. Let's look up the table not down.
Audere est facere!
"So, this club, this Lilywhite majesty of swagger and grit. Stand up, stand tall, be proud. And just go for it."
A thousand times yes! COYFS!
There are several people in the premier league that should just f*ck right off. John Terry is one. S*l Campbellend is definitely another. And then there's Gary Neville. For years the sight of this idiot with the wispy tasche has irritated the sh*t out of me. Time to end his career me thinks, starting with twatting off this manure jinx. 3-1 Spurs.
Thats 3 for Spurs and 1 for the other team btw.
keep the same side that beat chelsea except defoe up front on his own push modders up behind him(sort off) and bung palacios in the middle alongside hudd....
Sorry guys, we are deluding ourselves. As Hansen said, "... U can always rely on Spurs to let you down". They have once again built up our hopes and emotions, and as usual they will knock them down again by meekly surrendering to Yanited as they always do. Beating Arse &ChelC was brilliant, but lightning will not strike a third time. And then to completely rub salt in our wounds they will do something oh-so-typical and drop points to Bolton.
Before anybody gets on my case about not being a Spurs fan, be advised I am pushing 60 and have supported the boys since I was 8. I have seen the Double team play, seen us beat Atletico, watched us beat Benfica, etc. I have seen THE good times and bloody lot of bad ones too.
I very much hope I will be back here on Monday to eat a barrow load of humble pie.
Thats lovely that is - I don't care if you are 60. get behind your team you idiot!
3-1 spurs......................no sweat.
well said GC!
Having a different opinion to you doesnt make me an idiot sonny.
This is a forum where people may express opinions --- and not have to follow your party line.
As I said, hope to eat humble pie after Saturday. Unfortunately, I fear I will not have to do so.
Enjoy the game GC
Sonny? Ooooooooh.
I'm 61 and have also seen the god times, the double etc. but that's all history and tomorrow is the future. We can win up there and even a point would be excellent. How many of you before the game against Woolwich Wanderers would have been happy with four points from the three "big" games and now we've got six already! I think we can win tomorrow but even if we don't, fourth place is in our hands. I always thought the game against Citeh would be the really big one and it looks like that's going to be the case. Who wouldn't have taken that at the start of the season? We can do this - we ARE the fourth best (maybe even the third best) team in the division and with European football confirmed for next season, what have we got to lose tomorrow. So get behind your team - no whinging whatever happens. COYS.
also, just noticed that Lawro has us down to lose 2-nil again (He has doen tis for the past 2 games) - so all is good. Spurs to win.
Lawro and Hansen need to leave the BBC. Not before we've finished 4th tho, can't wait to hear what they have to say about that!
Yes, a five man midfield with bale, hudd, wilson, mods, bentley/lennon and pav up top for me. pav has the ability to bring other people into play. COYS, this is it!!
Cant wacht the game and i am gutted , give em hell boys !
I can watch this game and am scared. I really wanted to hide away for the last 10 minutes against Arse and Chavski and come back when it was all over. Is another win is too much to hope for? COYS
We'll win.
That is all.
I am ready. Head held high. Lead me into war!
If I am fatally wounded, pray let Heurelho look after my wife.
No-one's yet stated that we hope the ubiquitous Own Goal fails to make an appearance for the hosts this time around. There.
Another corker Spooky. Just need another one from the team to completed the hat trick.
Live in the deep south of France but was able listened to the last two games- not able to this Sat.... I Know we can do this Arri has done it before with West Ham.... Oh God... Oh God..... Oh God I so wish I could be near my radio.
They do say good things happen in three's.....
We are strong all over the pitch for this game and it should be a cracker. In a way it's quite a nice one to watch as we don't really expect a result, losing isn't the end of the world (especially if the goonrs do us a favour) and both sides play some sexy football. Expet gary neville to make up for hislack of pace/ability/skill by nobbling gareth bale and basically cheating at any given opprtunity. Bg game for hudd and modric in this one. Can they match the work rate and desire of scholes and fletcher?
The only position I am worried about it Kaboul at right back. United are an intelligent side and could look to exploit that side with giggs and rooney.
Come on North London FC. Let's beat the mancs. Then go back to hating eachother.
Well I have read this post for ages and giggled a lot guys. Spooky your a comedy genius sooo I dont usually wear any panties BUT for you I put some on and now they are soaking wet in anticipation mmmmm feels rather good might be doing it before every game if we do this lot over tomorow. COYS wiggle wiggle COYS
/yum
I will buy the "trilogy" box set if they release one!
COYS!!!!
I have just been reminded that a point this weekend will see me £10 richer on Monday.
Had a little bet with a colleague at the start of the season that we would finish higher than the red scousers.
Somehow my missus failed to consult me regarding shopping this Saturday.
As a result she's only gone and booked the babysitters for 1pm so that we can go shopping for crap!
I will have to resort to SkyHD+ and then avoid all possible contact with anyone/thing which may give away the scoreline.
Can't watch the game but will be keeping a close eye on the vodaphone. Keep Scholes marked and Rooney subdued for 95+ minutes and a point at least can be ours. COYS
SandraSpur is really DavSpur's feminine side let loose!!
4th is ours to lose now.
Get the flag ready Spooky, we'll be marching down Tottenham High Road in three weeks time.
where the f**k is Davspurs?
I see this game ending all square. 2-2.
I'm 62 and I agree with kaiskama.
I also hope Redknapp's tactics are a little more explicit than just 'go for it'.
Will watch this game with the same thoughts as the last 2..'We aint got a fucking chance.....they're gonna score 3 anyway...blow the fucking whistle ref' etc etc
Who knows.
Moist panties? I just did a Poo at Pauls with my pants still on.
You're supposed to have the bulge at the front when impressing the ladies aren't you?
Oh anyway, COYS!
spooky, just read your thoughts on the mancunia blog - great read everyone. Check it out.
I never said 'just go for it' was a tactic. More a mind set.