"Tottenham!"
Simply put; beat Blackpool, finish Top Four.
Drama.
Last season, on a number of occasions, we dropped points but never lost sight of the target. It still took a monumental effort to take us into that must win game at Eastlands, makers of our own destiny if we chose to dare. Which we did. This season the trend has been one surrounding the quality of our form, and that we have yet to truly blossom into a free-flowing rampant goal-getting beast humping our way through the herd never asking for phone numbers or bothering with breakfast. But neither has anyone else. Not a b*stard to be had.
To continue to play this shy game of step aside that everyone seems to be partaking in remains one of great risk.
There is something very Spursesque about us doing it the hard way, written off by our own as well as the press. It's the fuel we consumed during the drive through the 2010 season. You half sort of give up hope because it's easy(ier) to prepare for dejection than it is to build yourself up for an even bigger fall because the height will hurt you even more if said hopes tumble. And climbing that ladder is for some, too much to cope with.
Been there, done it, didn't fall down. We've even moved onto a taller building. Ladder is fairly stern too.
Someone once said something about aiming high and something about an echo. Words mean little without action. We lived the words through our actions which is why, even if it's hardly 'glory' to finish fourth it was a necessary step that had to be fought for and celebrated when achieved.
Plenty believed our season was over at least four or fives times. Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in. Agony, followed by glee, followed by agony. Would rather this time there was no debate around being anything but in.
Mind your step on the ladder.
Don't care if it's ugly, pretty or lucky. We have to win at Blackpool. I wont go as far as suggesting it would kill any ambitions we have to reclaim a Champions League position. Simply because of how this season has panned out and with the end in sight, nobody has yet to take a stranglehold with their consistency.
Yet. The key word. The same tired excuse to protect the dream.
It's time for us step it up and let others concern themselves with the catching up stuff. The less pressure we have on retaining a top 4 (screw it) a top 3 position as the weeks fly past the better. Our form is actually very good. We've been consistent, accumulating a healthy tally of points. What's required is avoidance of those occasional blips, hiccups that can cause hope to rise in others.
Harry claims (tonight) it's as big as the Milan game. It's not, but it is. It's the most important game we're going to be involved in this evening.
Of course it's frigging important.
What we've achieved in Europe has been nothing short of, well, Tottenham. Our unique brand of swash buckle, heart in mouth comebacks and unexpected (and devastating and patient) dismantling jobs - we've done it all. And nobody can pretend we've not made an impact on the continent. We have proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that we can compete at the very top level. Our learning curve has been one of fizzy refreshment in the usually bland and stale group games and maturity (thus far) in the knock-out stage. Perhaps next season we'd have to adapt further as we'll no longer be unknown entity. If there is a next season.
Blackpool and Wolves away, on paper, easy. In reality, hardly. We all know how the Wanderers have faired this season against the 'big' sides. And we all know how tireless and spirited Blackpool can be. But in paying respect, there's an admittance of the possibility of defeat.
We've yet to cement ourselves as a side that will finish top 4 season in season out. The landscape of the Prem might not allow another monopoly to exist. Others are expected to awake (Chelsea) and take (Man City) what is suggested to be rightfully there's based on the norm and money spent.
And what do I want? All I care for is the monopoly of one. The Tottenham paradox. Even the critics who were scoffing a season and a half ago are now drowning themselves in Lilywhite drenched plaudits. Bizarre but acceptable. But not enough, more is needed. The very thought of defeat pains me. Not that long ago it was almost a bi-weekly emotion. Spent most of the 1990s accepting its inevitability.
And in the present we've been written off more times than I care to count but now expectancy weighs down on us. Time for us all to just admit that we are now a very good side and that when hiccups are suffered, they're just that. And not throw-backs to a disease that still might plague us. We don't choke. We just sometimes, individually or collectively under perform. Like the vast majority of sides. Which is why we have a Spanish Inquisition when it happens.
No under performing tonight please. Let's under perform when we play West Ham and only beat them by three clear goals instead of five.
I know what you're thinking. It's only Blackpool away, get a grip of yourself you drama queen.
It's bread and butter and we need to eat it up. If we're going to truly elevate ourselves onto that next level of competitiveness then we need to show reinforced tenacity, as displayed in the last couple of Prem outings. Every game is a must win, right? But not every game is winnable and there are some games where less than three points (that being quite obviously a draw) is acceptable in the grand scheme of thirty eight games.
I've used that 'excuse' to defend my belief we would finish fourth last season. I've used it once or twice this season. Faith and all. I'm scrapping it for the purpose of our next two games.
This time, I'd rather not do it the hard way. Even if the hard way is the Tottenham way. Even if the hard way is more nail biting, exciting and entices that never say die attitude that makes us perform on an electric level of intensity that can sometimes give ample juice to the adrenalin that drives us beyond limited expectations*. And breathe.
*Best illustrated by the run-in last season which was and still is 'special'.
Belief was the key last time. Momentum, the buzz word for the present. Our progression, evolution - it doesn't stagnate. It hiccups, it's an annoyance, we down a glass of water, it sometimes works, we move on. Not always solving it the same way the next time it happens. But we don't look back. And we always move on.
We are spirited and driven. The culture of comfort at the Lane is long gone and we have players who play for the team, for each other and for the club. Hungry for success. Wanting to better themselves.
We might still lack a cutting edge and perhaps (arguably) there remains doubts on the consistency and delivery of Harry Redknapp's astuteness with tactics. We have key players missing. But yet here we are. In amongst it domestically and swaggering continentally.
Time to prove we can switch on for those wet wintry mid-week games as well as the high profile glamour ties (equally wet). Not just tonight, but Wolves in the next away game too. I have no more nails to bite and my heart is whimpering from the relentless emotional pulls.
The metamorphosis from plucky lucky pretenders to sustained genuine gritty yet silky contenders has to start somewhere.
This rallying war cry is probably going to fall on deaf ears, what with Redknapp citing 'miracle' for us to finish in the top four again. Backs to walls, bare bones. It's how he works his magic. Perhaps the hard way is the only way and I need to stand down from painting myself navy blue and white and screaming at the dodgy internet stream of the match like Mel Gibson in Braveheart. He failed (William Wallace) in the end. Aimed very high. However, even in his failure there was an echo of glory.
Hanged, disembowelled, drawn and quartered. Let it be the ones in Orange not the ones in Lilywhite.
Hiccups? Hold your breath.
Either way, I'm still going to need a heart transplant.
Reader Comments (86)
The defending was naive and as the defenders are good I can only imagine that it is down to lack of stability. We have had a series on unfortunate injuries to the back four. There was BAE stealing the ball and then he turns into trouble: 3-0. I have not been a fan of Defoe for a long time and agreed with Jol's decision to let him go: he was third choice striker and he hasn't improved since. I despair at the number of times he manages to get offside: he appears to have no spatial awareness. I didn't see the whole game, but the post-match panel set about blaming Pav. He did have a point blank header, he went for power and not precision. It wasn't an open goal. Anyway, if we win at Wolves then all will be forgotten. Here's to hoping that Fulham and ManU do us some favours! And Stoke, too!
terrible result and yes, at some point, we need to acknowledge that Defoe and Pav up front, at the very least this season, won't win games and get us to top 4. But, let's not commit suicide over this. We need to get some players back and we get a nice break now.
How does everyone think the league will finish end of season?
On a Sunday with a big trophy being presented to someone.
And possibly some balloons.
lol, you spuds are shit and have no history.
Who will finish in what position in the top 4 at the end of the season? Happy diaz you twat
It is going to be one of those days where will scratch our head and wonder why we support Spurs in the first place.
----------------
What I said yesterday just happens to be spot on.
Fuck off and get a sense of humour.
I couldn't even predict tonights result. Think I can predict the next 100 prem games?
Glad you value my opinion so much though.
I obviously didn't mean all the table, i just meant top 4 or 5. I thought someone would be smart enough to predict that
I've noticed anytime 'Arry opens his mouth to praise the opposition's manager, we end up performing woefully. This was the same ish he did with Grant and West Ham earlier in the season. Its time he quits give props to other managers and face his job squarely. I am really pissed at the way we failed to convert any of the chances presented. Its like the ball just refused to get in the back of the net.
WTF was Bassong thinking? Where football is concerned, he is mentally retarded.
Gallas lost the ball for their second way up the field and couldn't get back to cover.
BAE for the 3rd. Just boot the fucking thing out!
Say no more about our strikers. That they are being paid at all, let alone £60,000+, beggars belief.
Another rousing piece by spooky, all for nought with a deflating performance. I give up reading this team and trying to be optimistic. Just along for the crazy ride.
Just watched the extended highlights on Sky.
For all our possession, passes and chances created, how come they looked so dangerous every time they attacked us ?
Against Milan, we were balanced, organised, the whole team defended as a unit and Milan seldom looked dangerous.
Tonight we seemed to be all over the place when they got the ball.
They're the Spurs. It's totally in character to win at the San Siro and then immediately loose at Blackpool.
That's what makes being a yiddo so damn exciting, like dating a really hot bipolar redhead (sorry, "ginger" - do brits say "redhead"?) The sex is wonderful but you have to deal with the occasional stabbings and police attention.
Now it's obvious to me that Pienaar signed for us only after the Fucking Twitcher promised to start him every game. Otherwise, there is not a single reason for playing him ahead of Niko.
Also, after a monster game by Sandro, Fucking Twitcher yanks him out for Jenas.
The third objection to Fucking Twitcher is seemingly total lack or non-existent preparation of the team. Looks like he went back to his trademark "run about" tactic.
Doesn't really matter who is up front, Defoe, Pav, Crouch whoever or what Harry does.......
If BAE is rocking the Afro Poof we are fucking doomed.
AFRO POOF = FUCKING DOOMED
That thing has got more bad juju than the Hawaiin idol on the "Brady Bunch"
So right Big Sky. When I took one look at his hair I knew it was over. Can someone please point this out to Benny? Not that he'd care of course :)
COYS!
Simply put:
Strikers that can't finish begets,
Pushing everyone forward begets,
Counterattacks.
0-3
Thats a good shout big sky. Magic Juande banned the red sauce during his tenor I wonder could Redschnapps pull the plug on that unlucky- for- us- Spurs afro-poof. Maybe somebody could find out where BAE lives and send Peter Mark around, rid us of the evil once and for all. Defoe is still in my bad books because he is so blatantly sh!te this year it is not even funny anymore. Maybe the afro-poof has cursed him too.
COYS
When I saw the starting line-up I was concerned. Needless to say I switched off the TV at half -time.
I hate unnecessary tinkering. It stops our momentum.
1. I dont blame Bassong. I blame Flamini for knobbling Corluka and upsetting the balance of the back four. That is forced tinkering.
2. Defoe and Pav? Why not play 4-5-1? Did we take Blackpool for granted?
3. I see that Niko and Sandro relegated again to the sub's bench, after all they have performed recently. Why ? Pienaar has not proved himself. Wilson was almost a train wreck, as though Sandro is his stabilising factor.
So - if Tom Hudd is fit, play him with Modric as CM. Otherwise play Wilson with Sandro in CM, and push Modric forward. Same goes for VdV, or any other reasonable combo except that Wilson and Modric cannot play well together.
Why cant we play to our strengths, regardless of the quality (or lack of) the opposition? It creates stability and momentum.
4. Get rid of Jenas and Defoe.
I did say when we first proposed the 5 game challenge that Blackpool are the sort of team where we will need to score more than them. They look capable of goals, but their defence is crap. We cannot assume to be able to roll them over. Now the chance to take third is gone, and Chelski are poised to overtake us.
We need to beat Wolves.
Well here we go again, some of you guys are unbelievable.
@ Focussed from Singapore
"When I saw the starting line-up I was concerned. Needless to say I switched off the TV at half -time" - nice one, well done mate, wonderful fan.
Yep, also get rid of Jenas & Defoe as that will greatly enhance our squad. Well we know you did not watch the 2nd half as you turned off, probably to watch Chelsea or something. Had you not turned off you would have noticed Jenas was probably our main source of effort and energy during the 2nd half when he came on.
Fellas, how many teams in this premier league go away from home and create 28 goal scoring efforts and play with 3 strikers?? None. We tried really hard, but i suspect we could have played for 5 days straight and not scored a goal (Pav's goal massively deflected). It was just one of them games, and before everyone starts saying well this has happened before this year we have been, and still are in fantastic form. Out of our last 24 games in all competitions we have lost 3 times (1 of which was away at Old trafford) - 3 TIMES!! For a team that plays exciting open football like us, that is tremendous form.
To say we have no chance of 3rd is I believe is a stupid statement, of course we do. We still have to play City & Chelsea - who is too say we can't beat them??
We have a week N half of now, hopefully the next time we take to the field against Wolves we will have our strongest lineup that includes Charlie, Bale & VDV and Gallas back in CD. Remove 4/5 key players from any other team in the league and see if they would have won 4 out of their last 5 games.
Onwards and upwards chaps, keep the faith. It will go to the final game that we can be sure of.
COYS.
Still gutted this morning, a chance missed but hey this is Tottenham... the easy path is never trodden by the lilywhite!
We played well, created chances but were sloppy defensively... Defoe and Pav cannot play together, it's not opinion it's fact and I'm beginning to get irritated with Arry for continuing to try it... it just doesn't work. Defoe's too greedy and lacks awareness of his own positioning and others around him, as for Pav he just looks lost, has done since he arrived and will never be clinical enough... but one thing I will say about them both, they never hide and will always have chances, their luck will surely turn soon as long as they continue to work hard.
In their defence, they were both massively unlucky last night... you could argue that both haven't played enough games, both aren't sharp enough but we all know at this level, unless you deliver when you get your chance any hope for a sustained run in the side is slim.
Also i'm in no doubt that Kranjcar should've started ahead of Peanut (whom i rate highly), but without Crouch, VdV and Bale we don't have enough goals in the team and the only other player in the squad who can seemingly find the net on a regular basis is Kranjc.
Other than that, i'm not sure if you can question team selection? The fact is we should've won with that starting lineup, we created enough chances to win 2/3 games, regardless of team selection when you have defenders that suddenly switch to kamikaze mode what can you do... having said that a bit of luck converting one of the chances at 1-0 or 2-0 and I'm confident we would've got something from the game.
Away to Wolves is massive, must win and all that jazz, but every game from here on in is massive, must win blah blah blah, time to step up boys, after most defeats this season we've bounced back and we need a big performance in what will be a far tougher game physically than last night. I'm sure as a squad we can handle the pressure, squad rotation and team selection will be key, Arry and his mgmt team have a huge part to play in finding the right balance for each game in the run in, starting with the right 1st 11 on Sunday and all thoughts of the small upcoming fixture on Wednesday has to be erased from everyone's mind, it's all about the 3 points on Sunday.
Thou shalt not lose... well we can't get 15 from 15, so 12 will have to do!
Plenty of twists and turns to go yet, keep the faith... COYMFS!!!
how funny to read all these Blackpool predictions now that it is over and once again Spurs were turned over away from home by a minnow . It is the worst kept secret outside of WHL and Harry Redknapp that our midfield is puny - you can run through us like a knife through butter - don't bother with playing wide against Spurs , just run through the middle , its easy . So we missed chances - with a strike force that has just 8 goals to its credit this season, repeat , just 8 , what do we expect ?. And we let in 3 - thats why we lost - that is the reason - everything else is losers excuses .
Knee jerk reaction v Voices of reason. This blog has it all.
Last night we played 4-4-2, which many have called for, created a shed load of chances and failed to score, defence had a nightmare. Shit happens move on. We are Spurs after all.
Keane and Pav out in the summer, Connor Wickham and 1 other in. We need to find another Berbatov type player who can link the play and hold the ball up. Any thoughts who could do that?
Last nights result made things that bit harder for West Ham as well, which is about the only silver lining I can find in this particular cloud.
@ Cej
@ Diaz
Well fucking said lads ...well said.
It was on the cards it happened its now out of the way. Lets take a 10 day breather and see Bale and vdV back.
Can Khumalo play RB? Dont think Charlie will be back for about 3 weeks.
To link up play a-la Berb?
Tough one....Aguero or Ibrahimovic.........but I'm assuming you mean a realistic target....I wouldnt mind seeing someone like Piquionne or Obinna.....have bags of potential.
Man It was 3am in Thailand....I couldn't believe it...waste my bed time...I'd rather...f..ck da girl next to me...shiit
@ Tomtraubert
It really does my head in to read some of the bullshit people post on here when we lose, if only we could go through a whole season and win 100% of the time - perhaps they MIGHT be happy (happier). Lets see how we get on against Wolves.
If we knock Milan out of the cup, April looks to be a very congested month for us so its good to know we have a bunch of players all returning to action over the coming weeks.
COYS.
Spooky, please can you form some sort of knee-jerk freezone around your blog and where on earth has davspurs vanished too?
Sometimes you just get games like this, its football and there will be other twists like there was last season. COYS
I think that "Focused from Singapore" had some pretty good points. Sure its easy for everyone to spout off when we lose - to be honest I've realised that I'm in a foul mood this morning and have put it all down to the performance last night - but aren't blogs and message boards like this one for exactly that? And sure some people have deep-down prejudices that re-surface at the drop of a hat but that's human nature.
Personally I have a deep dislike of JD. I know that I am totally prejudiced against him and the only way for this to be changed would be for a 20 goal season with at least 5 of those coming against sides finishing in the top 6. I just really don't think that he's all that good - and the above will never happen. I know that when I see a performance like last night my opinion only gets re-inforced. Am I wrong to think this?
I also think that Harry missed a trick with the 442 formation last night. IMO he's trying to fit JD (see - my own personal issue) in to the side and he doesn't work as the 1 in a 451. But 451 (or 4231 if you want to get antsy) really suited us against AC Milan and I think would have done quite nicely for us last night. We have the players in Sandro, Wilson, Hudd and Jenas who can all play as part of the 2 and Piennar, Modric, vdV, Lennon, Bale and Niko can all play as part of the 3.
Gutted about last night - but hopefully things will look brighter on Sunday (a win-win game for yidos) and after the Wolves game.
After the third goal line clearance by Blackpool I knew it just wasn't going to be our day.
Anyone else notice that Pav won just about every ball aired to him? He needs to show that trick to Crouchaldihno.
Pav had 36 succesfull passes in the game, that is VERY good for a stiker, and he was unlucky to not get at least another goal, and he really should have gotten an assist when he extended the ball for defoe to shoot. Both his header's were powerfull and the glory should go to kingston for sensible positioning and good reflexes.
So small margins away from being hailed as a hero, give him a break, atm he is our best striker! Play Pav and Crouch or Pav and Rafael up front! Niko might even be an alternative!
Calm down everyone. A bad result yes, but you'd have taken 9 points from the last 4 games (3 away from home). Yes Defoe played poorly and our finishing let us down, but its a freak result. On another day we'd have won by 5 or 6. It happens. It isnt like we were outplayed - quite the contrary in fact.
What annoys me is that we are conceding goals because we have no defenders left.: fact. Walker, Naughton, Caulker et al should not be on loan. Its a fking farce that we have to play out best CB as a right back, when we employ more RBs than any other cliub on earth. Even worse that Bassong has to play. Its all very well pointing the finger at Defoe (the new Keane in the eyes of some fans it seems), but Bassong has featured in every fucking farce this season. YB away, Inter away, Bolton away, Fulham in the cup and now last night. You can throw Sunderland away at the end of last year into that mix too. He is a fucking joke - a total liability. He simply cannot play again - he guarantees a heavy defeat
@CEJ and all the other experts
You can call these knee-jerk or whatever I dont really care - but if you read my post carefully you will see that we were on a roll and my main gripe is the unnecessary tinkering to a successful side.
I like to think I offer reasoned thoughts. For those of you who find reading difficult, the gist of my post is:
Why change a successful side that has momentum?
If it aint broken, dont fix it. If Sandro and Wilson did well in central midfield, then keep them there. Replace VdV with Modric, replace Pienaar with Kranjcar. Of course my first main gripe is the enforced change for Corluka but hey, who reads details anymore.
We had a 4-5-1 formation that worked.
We have hungry players like Kranjcar and Sandro who can come in and do a good job yet are discarded so easily.
With VdV, Corluka Huddlestone all out injured, sure we were depleted (or down to our bare bones) but we have strength in depth to adapt.
Instead we started with Defoe who consistently does not produce. Substituted several times recently and did not start nor appear in the match against Milan. Review his performance against Newcastle, Blackburn, Sunderland and make up your own mind. Why not use him as an impact sub, like against the gooners?
You confirmed my point about Jenas. He tries hard and drives forward but no meaningful end product I am sure, as usual. See the difference when Kranjcar plays as opposed to Jenas.
I dont like to criticise our players but I dont like some favoured ones being preferred when there are other better players on form who keep getting ignored. Just doesnt make sense.
I dont believe we have a divine right to win every game, but we should expect sensible use of our players. We played sensible towards the end of last season. What has happened?
BTW the game started at 4am here - this wonderful fan has stayed up plenty a night to watch games here I will have you know, young lady. I was tired last night, you moron.
Details, yep i must have missed them as I switched of after reading your first sentence. No need to call me a moron.
Ok I will take it back but:-
1. many others share my views - if you dont read details dont call it knee-jerking, it's actually frustration; and
2. save your sarcarsm and condescending attitude for the gooners and spammers lurking amongst us.
I'll see you around these posts.