Buzzing, just buzzing...
Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 2:00PM Not sure where to begin. There is so much to take in, I can hardly concentrate on matters concerning in-depth analysis. I know I sound like a broken record, but I always knew we'd do it. I've banged on about it for ages now. I think most of us could see it but could hardly even consider embracing the idea, because in our heads, that would be as close to jinxing it as we could possibly come. This quote from AANP sums it up:
"As a long-time Spurs-supporting chum put it to me yesterday, we’re not built for this sort of thing. Let-downs and heartbreaks we can deal with, but this business of every single blasted game coming loaded with significance is just too much to take"
And when the stakes are high, the faster the heart beats and the more intense and unbearable things are. Which is why a defeat here or there had some of the faithful, knee-jerking. It's a defensive inbuilt psychological mechanism that aids us, protects us from the disappointments. Same old Tottenham we say. And when disaster strikes, we shrug knowingly and then look forward to next season.
The semi-final and the 3-1 up at Sunderland have proved to be in some ways inspirational to the team.
9 wins out of 11 games to secure glory. That's just fantastic. Unquestionably fantastic.
What we've gone and done has made every single miserable moment worth it because this win, this historic moment, is all the better for the pain suffered in the past. Next season? I can't wait for it. Is it small time to celebrate this achievement? Of course not. Considering how bastard hard it's been in the past decade to get anywhere near the Top 4.
So, I'm now going to attempt a match review. This is gonna be messy.
I can't say I enjoyed the match. The experience made me sick. Even with my continued confidence since Christmas, it all appeared to desert me just before kick-off. I found myself shifting uncomfortably, almost not wanting to watch, preferring if possible to lose myself in a trance for 90 minutes and awake to find we've won. No such luck. I had to endure it, and for the first time this season I was actually incapable of retaining any form of composure. I found myself dismantling every nano-second of the game, micro-analysing it to the nth degree. It all played out in slow-mo.
21 wins in 28 games for City at home. But we hardly ever lose up there. The stats being churned out just made me dizzy. This was the £30M/£40M/£50M match they said. Cash Wednesday (seriously, only Sky could call it that). The play-off.
Bricking it big time.
First half, was okay. Not amazing. Something lacked, at least that's how I was seeing it. Lennon and Bale not so much in the game thanks to the constant hoofing of the ball up to Crouch. Our play seemed rushed at times. All a bit too much too soon too little. No retention of the ball. City were having a go. We were just a tad too passive. But with hindsight I guess we were measuring up the opposition. Slowly slowly getting a grip of the game. Patiently waiting for the tempo to change in our favour. Which it did in the second half.
However, the nerves obviously blinded me because a neutral would have pointed out that the game could have been 2-0 either way. 0-0 was good, for us. Just needed to test Fulop more. Crouch unlucky with his effort off the woodwork. King scored. Should have counted. Tevez a menace for City.
I found myself thinking 'this is f*cking bollocks Spurs. Get stuck in, and smash these over-rated ****'s out of their own ground'. Wanted to see a bit of that dare to do dance from the boys in Lilywhite.
Second half. Lennon on a run across the middle, doesn't pass to Bale, shoots, wasted. 55 minutes in, first shot on target that Fulop was made to save. Decent effort from JD. Hudd stamps. Lucky with the yellow. Still need to be brave. Modric showing great spirit and fight in the middle of the park. More action. Moddle getting crowded out in the box. Lennon cross, defended well. Then a cross and Defoe and Crouch stretching…almost, almost. Agonising.
Then the word ominous appeared in front of me in the form of a footballing God, all smug and arrogant, asking me how things were going, before disappearing with a cheeky wink. The git.
I was emotionally dead at this point. And although I could not see it at the time, we were bossing it. Creating chances. And City's flirtatious first half of attacks was becoming a distant memory.
Lennon off, Bentley on. Heart stopped for a brief moment when Gomes allowed the ball to go under his foot. Then we had a mazy mazy Crouchie run. My heart. My poor poor heart.
In the midst of all this, when City did have a moment, we had Ledley King. You know him right? He's the one that isn't human. Phenomenal player. The block from Tevez, just amazing. You shall not pass indeed.
Just before that, Fulop pulls off a stupendous save. Or just saves a weak Crouch header. Depends how badly you knee-jerked at the time. I held my head in my hands.
Then it happened.
Before kick-off, around 6pm or so, Chas (from Chas and Dave, obviously) was interviewed on a London news programme. He cited Crouch and said he felt he would be instrumental in the game. I sort of scoffed. This was before the sides were announced. Amazing In the Know knowledge from Chas. Even though he looked a bit dazed on the piano, he was on the money with his prediction.
Fulop, having palmed the ball instinctively away from a Kaboul cross, deflected off Bridge, finding Crouch and his beautiful beautiful head. Crouch making amends.
Absolute insanity.
Kaboul dancing past Bellamy with ease thanks to a pathetic attempt by the Welshman to stop the pulsating Frenchman. Crouch getting the goal he deserved for his second half performance and the travelling Spurs fans along with every Spurs fan the world over going mental, just mental.
82 minutes. And the dream, the dream was not just alive and kicking but stripping off and about to run around naked, big willy flapping around all over the place. This was it. You could taste it now. Er…not the big willy, Champions League. Obviously.
The ominous feeling was gone, the footballing God appearing before me, no longer looking on smugly, but instead whistling the theme music to the Champions League.
This. Can't be. Happening. What are these emotions returning to my wrecked body?
Wilson on for the excellent Modric. Four minutes of injury time.
Then the final whistle. And years of hurt vanquished in the midst of celebrations. Bottle jobs? That fallacy has been buried 6 feet under. This Spurs squad has time and time again dug deep in the face of adversity and come through it. No dodgy lasagne in sight.
It wasn't just at Eastland's. This CL position was won against Arsenal and Chelsea at WHL. But obviously won across the 37 games played. Even with the hiccups. We have been consistent. Spurs. Consistent. Amazing.
King, so deserving of this. Kaboul was a monster. Dawson, Huddlestone - all of them, every single one of them have played a part. I even thought Jenas movement for the drenching of Harry in his post-match interview was superb. All the players deserve credit. Not just for this game, but through-out the season. And to think at any given moment we had a key player out injured. That's actually scary that. Sign a couple of top top drawer players in the summer and I can see us sustaining a Top 4 challenge again. Which is key to progress, because the next step would be to challenge for bigger things. But yeah, one step at a time...
This (CL qualification) might not be an FA Cup final. This might not be silverware. And history will only remember a 4th spot (3rd still a possibility, but let's not get too greedy), but the significance of this is far more important in the here and now.
We stopped City from getting CL football and possibly consolidating their position in the Top 4 for years to come. The pressure is back on them to go for it again, whilst we can prepare for retaining this position next season. Which I have no doubt we will do. The elite, the Sky Sports Top Four has been cracked. This is massively important, mainly for the purposes of belief and mental strength. A winning mentality. The players now have a benchmark to aim to better in 2011. This isn't a fluke or an upset. We deserve this. And can only build on it.
Qualifier obviously standing in the way of the group stages, but I'm sure we'll be just fine. We're edging ever closer to them lot across the road too.
I'll cut this short now (I know, it's been anything but short), as I could go on and on, but will instead blog more later in shorter parts. Like I said at the start, so much to cover.
I have plenty to say about Harry Redknapp (spot on selection and tactics) and of course Daniel Levy, the man who scrapped the DoF system and went back to basics. From bottom 4 to top 4. And yes, that includes a letter to the chairman. But will leave those thoughts for later on in the week. I'm also looking forward to seeing how the press and pundits react to our achievement. Yes, I'm referring to Hansen and Lawro and the mongs on Gillette Soccer Saturday.
Remember last season. 2 points, 8 games. Gillette Soccer Saturday playing a comedy video of a clown, ripping the piss out of Spurs with various stand-up jokes whilst the panel laughed away. Remember this season, after winning 4 straight games then coming unstuck against Chelsea and Arsenal and United. Back in our box, they said.
You might feel dirty for it, but gloat. Gloat to your hearts content.
What a f*cking season. We've actually gone and done that thing that everyone wanted and everyone else expected us not to do. We did it. And the club shop dvd of 2010 will no doubt be a best-seller.
I choked up at the end. Cried for the first time since Italia 90.
We dared. Congratulations.
I f*cking love football and I love this club. Bask in it. It's richly deserved. New chapter, new adventure.
I've gone all giddy.
Reader Comments (90)
OH what a night thanks 4 a brilliant last couple of seasons harry and the boys and you spooky love all your posts big man! bring it on lets embrase it and get that cheque book out (again) Mr Levy x
Doesn't it make all that bloody whinging and criticism we all did when things were shoddy worthwhile?! Harry and Levy were clearly listening afterall.
I'd love it if Fulham beat Arsenal, but considering they'll be playing in the UEFA cup a few days later, can't see it.
I can still hope though!
I'm still drunk
That's because you're a fucking drunk.
Watching it live, was never really sure which way the game would go.
Watched the full match again a few hours later and I don't think Gomes had to make a save in the second half.
Our back five were outstanding, but Azza clearly not 100% fit and Bale looked tired to me.
But then you watch the highlights and see Bale created our best 2 chances for Defoes shot and Crouchs header, both saved by their keeper.
Thought Hudd and Modders were unable to get possession which is a worry if we want to play Bale and Lennon on the flanks. If we cannot get the ball out to them and hold our own in centre midfield there is a danger the wide midfielders become bystanders.
Will be interesting to see how Palacious and Sandro fit in.
We still have a few players such as Jenas, Hutton, Keane, Bentley and possibly Pav who we could cash in on in the Summer.
If you add that lot up, we could sign 1 or 2 superstars without being out of pocket.
Not sure where the two Kyles fit in with the arrival of Kaboul or what will happen with Taarabt, O'Hara and Dos Santos.
Some interesting decisions for HR to make in the summer and what a season for us all to look forward to.
I celebrated hard last night and had the shits this morning due to the amount I drank. With every passing stool, it was like a wave of happiness.
Have to shout out to all the people who were in the pub in Harlow, fucking great atmosphere, we all fucking went mad when Crouchy scored, next best thing for people like me who can't currently afford to go.
I think it's Hebrew for "please visit the Megastore on your way out".
Fantastic article Spooky!
I can feel the joy and passion of our supporters from 14,000 km away.
My boss is a Newcastle supporter and even he is happy for us!
The Promised Land...who would have thought?
Hasn't sunk in yet....can't wait when it does.
COYS FOREVER AND EVER!!!
A quick note to the soppy Northern Dwarf standing up at the bar last night. OK I was vocal, Yes at times over exitable in my gasps as we hit the post, missed an oportunity, let a ball roll under a foot.
Every time the little Dwarf man came out with "Sit Down" & "Calm Yourself" he even started talking about me as if I was not there stating "These cockneys get over exited, they should learn that they will never win a thing"
His voice was going through me.. the constant Sit Downs were driving me to distraction, he was orchestrating his words not at me but to the whole pub in a nattempt to belittle me and the colours I support.
THEN IT HAPPEND - We scored, emotions were high I leapt I screamed, I huged the spurs fan next to me whom I didnt know then I turned to give that guy the biggest fuck off ever .... He had ran to the toilet - Now who is the shitter, now who is the man who cannot hold his ground...
He did return 5 minutes later (to retrive his hslf a pint as being northern he is tight and could not leave it behind) and yes boys I did not leave him alone the man was verbaly destroyed.
COYS
Gomes was outstanding and has been all season.
He's the love of my life.
Hope Levy isn't about to sell the club. I think we should sing his name and get under his skin a bit.
Once again, thanks Spooky - you have got me through this season!
Looking forward to a nice relaxed game against Burnley - stroll, skill and goals please.
I'm sure Harry wont kneejerk with some World Cup transfers (i.e. poborsky, eggem, chippo, the senegal team etc.) and look forward to our starting line up in the Prem in August/September. It made my night when the players drenched him!
COYS! (I can drop the MF from it now).
ueueueueueueeurgh, I feel like there's a cat scratching about in my head. So hungover...........
Watched the game in my house with a couple of mates and few beers, then, as soon as we won, took 150 quid out of the slush fund and took them out for cocktails and shots all round. Was hammered.
Had tears in my eyes that I tried to hide when the players celebrated at the end.
King is simply unfathomable. He is an ultra mecca football god created in the apocalypse of immovable objects. Whe Kaboul went past Belammy I was shouting 'steamroller, steamroller steamroller !' to my mates then 3 seconds later its in. Bentley must've hilariously wound up Tevez as well to start that incident that no one has seen properly yet.
This Spurs is different, no more hit the post, some good saves, get sucker punched, no - they are now stelly lions organised into a solid regiment, ready for almost any warfare.
So...was hammered.Then, in the morning, my upstairs neighbour knocked on my door and handed me two brand new keys for the front door to our close because someone had 'tampered with the lock and destroyed it', it was only then that memories came flooding back of me being so drunk i snapped my key off in the front door so then tried to bash my way in haha! Still not entirely sure how I did get in... Didn't let on to her though.
I knew we'd win, the team has had a tangible spirit and togetherness all season and the core have played and matured together for 4-5 years, it was simply marvellous to beat City with sheer will, force and workrate.
That had to be the easiest closing out of a game ever, the goal totally knocked the stuffing out of the mercaneries!
Proud proud man today, smile hasnt left my face !
The battles are not yet all over, but the war it would seem, has at least been won.
As the last skirmish enters the horizon, and the last travel to fight the good fight draws closer. We can perhap relax, and maybe reflect a little, because soon, so very soon, we can rest easy safe in the knowledge that it was not all in vain.
The future appears a little brighter this day.
i :heart: spurs.
I'm loving some of the articles from other fans on newsnow. There's a Chelsea fan who is laughing at us for finishing 4th. 'Enjoy it while it lasts' his statement to us.
Er, okay, so let me get this straight. We are shit when finish 7th, we are shit when we finish 4th, and now we've got into the CL we're still shit.
Haha x infinity
Spooky,
was perusing (as is my want of an occaision) and came across an extended version of 'impossible dream' that seemed all the more appropriate for today:
http://www.youtube.com/user/honda?blend=1&ob=4#p/c/DC298A59DB8D11EF/0/g7zuA2PGfE8
I urge you all to check it out, and dare you not have have a gliint in your eye at the end.
It's not available mate, but that could be because I'm living in Canada. Regional restrictions and the like.
And after all this? I am literally sick with envy for those of you who have been able to watch all of this at WHL, and to look forward to the cream of European football knocking on our door? Massive, just massive. I wish I could be there with you. I always dreamt of it as a boy, and now it's finally here.
Now to convince the old lady that a winter holiday in ol'blighty is better than Barbados, but after cracking the top 4, that should be easy.
Poetry.
Poetry.
Just for a bit of sunny fun, and Spooky, you should totally start a blog for it, some realistic-ish players I'm daydreaming of today..............
Dzeko
van der Vaart/Lassana Diarra/Granero have all had problems this season with getting regular games and/or have fallen out with Pellegrini. They should all be available somewhere between 10-20m each, I'd take one of them.
Kjaer
I'd take Milner in a heartbeat although it prob wouldnt happen unless Bentley could maybe go the other way ?
The squad needs very little adjustments, just some clearing of deadwood/trimming the fat, and one or two nice additions.Just some musings.......
As a serial basher of Arry and Crouch, the 2 shoved it down my throat last night and I was so happy taking it!!
It was a fantastic night of controlled and structured football and it should have been 3-0!!
No panic in defence, controlled coming out and strong in attack.
Crouch was amazing and what really done it for me was his work rate, i could not believe it.
As I mentioned before, this elevates us to the big league, nobody can touch our players now, they can all go spin on it, especially United.
We build from here and there is no looking back!!!
COYS!
By the way, and it not what you may want to hear but Bellamy may be with us soon
According to the Annual Deloitte Football Finance Report, the company that analyses global financial environments, one of which being the English Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur are ranked top in the country for effective cost management, calculated by the key performance indicator wages / transfers to turnover ratio.
Arse, can you read???
utter class every dam one of them tottenham till I die champs league are you ready? The yid armys coming COYS
Time to change your home page banner please Spooky. Delete "purgatory". Insert "Heaven".
Stop press!
Election latest: Ledley is King.
Frontwheel, created a thread in the message board. Suggest away all...
Top man
27 hrs on into the promise land and I still feel like it is all a dream. We didn't choke like we do at the penultimate huddle? Didn't bend over and let Man Shitty screw us over so we can be the laughing stock of the Le ARSE? We actually moved from relegation zone a year ago to playing CL footie the following season? 'Arry proving he is a great man manager who can be bold enough to go for a win when a draw was all that was necessary in that situation? Boy, have the glory days returned or what!!!
Congrats to Spurs.. Excellent finish to a good season and richly deserved after the last few weeks.
I saw someone commented on Crouch's performance. Does anyone remember when England went down to 10 men? I think against Portugal in the European Cup he , and Hargreaves, were absolutely magnificent. Last night was the same he worked himself to a standstill. He may not be the best striker in the world but he is certainly a great team man.
Still cannot get over it---
David in Winnipeg!!!
Thanx for the great blogs you do , the only site I check ten times a day . Been religously following Spurs for 37 years and finally something to feel good about ( cups don't count). Do you think we'll break the wage structure now to get top class players? if so what's gonna happen to the limes of modric and king and.....
That was meant to say likes not limes
Crouch was a magnificent 9 out of 10 , one point deducted for missing a couple chances earlier
Lads of all the final day scenarios in my head, this one seems the most dramatic, which is perfectly typical for us.
Fulham down 1-0
Spurs up 10-0 at burnley
In injury time
Last equalizer by Zamora
Last minute goal by King
You can shove your st totteringham's day up your arse!
loving the write up , feels so recognisable , all them emotions and then that goal and the realisation that the top four has finally been cracked open ... and not by the money but by the passion and swagger
COYS
BALE HAS SIGNED A NEW CONTRACT!!!!
BALE SIGNS! WOOHOO http://www.teamtalk.com/news/2483/6138418/Bale-commits-future-to-Tottenham
beautiful wriiten spooky. i'm in love with the beautiful game once more. goosegumps reliving that one all over again