My eyes have seen the glory
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:01AM Here we go again.
Eyelids stapled open. Heart removed by Mola Ram and placed into mouth. Lilywhite straitjacket on. Legs and arms strapped into the roller-coaster carriage with no means of escape for a minimum of ninety minutes or so before ride ends. FAO the faint hearted; please refrain from queuing up.
As the ticker-tape entrance sees ripped up recycled paper and copies of the Evening Standard thrown up towards the North London sky whilst the teams walk out to rapturous ear-drum bursting noise, all our hopes will be focused on Spurs doing their own tear up of a Milan back-line, recycling some of that Glory Glory football, copyright to White Hart Lane N17 on any given European night.
So much is being discussed in the build up. Mostly all from Milan about how they’re going to win. We are left to wonder what team Harry will select, mostly based around the availability of key players. Bale and van der Vaart both in the squad. The latter far more likely to start if you believe the press coverage with Gareth on the bench. Corluka also fit. King has been training with the first team but is apparently not available. Best thing is to simply wait and see. Thanks to the art of mind games and second guessing.
You would expect Crouch to start, vdV to slot in behind him, Modric in the middle and possibly Sandro lining up there too. I refer you back to the mind-teasing whether Bale is fit to start. Considering the forceful Spurs is the one that includes the Dutch galvaniser in it, I would not expect him to be benched. Corluka in for Hutton at the back. If Bale doesn’t play then Pienaar most likely on the left. Defoe to play up front with Crouch if vdV is not quite fit to start.
Something like this (ideally):
Gomes
Corluka Gallas Dawson BAE
Lennon Sandro Modric Bale
vdV
Crouch
Ideally.
I did say it was best to wait and see.
Milan are either over-rated or old (or both) depending on which critic you prefer to listen to. I expected them to score in the first game. You look at their line-up and you imagine there’s goals in there. They’ve had their way against plenty of Serie A opposition this season but there was a lack of spark, imagination when they faced up to our strong, determined and high energy tireless work ethic. Patience saw us counter and score. Gomes perhaps our shot-stopping saviour at the back. We can't afford to risk the the time and space to test him, more than twice.
They will have to attack us at the Lane. Question is – can they over power us? Can they win the midfield battle, control possession and hit us for two or three goals? They have selection headaches too. They’re also an Italian club and you can argue it’s not quite in their nature to be gung-ho or cope with 100% Prem style attacks. Any form of attack from them however will (should) play into our hands. We need to be switched on from back to front to be able to turn Milan inside out.
Spurs in Europe, Spurs in Europe against a top top side – it’s not quite the same version as an off-key Tottenham at Wolves or Blackpool. Perhaps we are geared up more for Europe than consolidating a second Top 4 placement on the spin simply as a consequence of being part of the Champions League.
Perhaps that ethos of Glory and that desire to make history and live in the moment for the moment has consumed our players and club that they have consciously and subconsciously prioritised the Champions League. Not so much with a caveat stating ‘we’re in it to win it’ but rather to simply take it one game at a time, learn from our mistakes and evolve. But do so with refreshing swagger and accumulated belief.
Suddenly, on the eve of a game of this magnitude, you start to feel that old sentimental romanticised flutter of butterflies in your gut about how football, at it's purest level, is about the games. The moments. About being able to look back and pin point a time when your team created a piece of history that can never be taken away. Because it is about the moments. It should be about the moments.
Suddenly progressing in this Cup competition is actually more important than bread and butter league games. Perhaps that is naivety on my part thanks to the pumping of blood in my veins as the hour nears. Perhaps its a small team mentality that I've anchored myself onto our pretenders/underdogs tag because of the whispering pessimistic voice that tells me we might not quite make it back next year via the league. Perhaps that caveat simply needs revision to something akin to 'we might not win it but we might as well have a right go at it'. Because otherwise, what's the point? Where would you find those cherished moments otherwise? Echos of glory, right?
If we get through, we’ll be in the quarter-finals. That’s not too shabby for a side that was meant to be humiliated in the group stages. I’d say we’ve done what we’ve set out to achieve in making a very Lilywhite statement to all concerned. And the very fact that I’m sitting here thinking I will be disappointed and gutted if we go out more or less sums up the progress made by this club in such a short span of time. Some of the games have been pure box office. Made in Tottenham. Is there any other conceivable way?
(Okay, I do appreciate the importance of qualifying again in order to sustain the progression before you start on me)
I guess the last time I felt this tingle in my spin was the return leg against Sevilla. That tingle was replaced by a spasm very early on. Lessons. But that was a different Tottenham in a very different time.
Milan, over-rated or otherwise still have players capable of shocking us. I genuinely believe that whether they can or whether they believe they will - it's of no relevance if we display the same type of tempo and tenacity that we dished out to Inter when they were duly spanked 3-1. The visitors do not travel well having won just the once in fourteen away games in Blightly, losing the last nine. I pretty much hate stats like this because they are there to be broken up with an anomaly. But we would have to turn up with boot laces tied if we wanted to make this easy for them. Because anything less than making it difficult would be disappointing.
Go for their jugular. Ruin them.
I say, who cares for the side they select and the players that play. For me, it’s in our hands. It’s down to us. No crazy choke or nervous reaction to the occasion. No unnecessary dramatics. Play to our strengths. Play to win and play to win well. The last ten minutes of the game have to be beyond the reach of our opposition rather than having thousands of Spurs fans biting their nails off and eating into their fingers.
Pin-point their full-backs and set to destroy. Score an early goal. Do not concede an early goal. Show the same type of spirit that resulted with the 1-0 away win. Unlike Milan who played cautiously and without pomp, we at Spurs are of a different ilk – so please bring it Spurs.
Bring the bravado and the brilliance and knock out the Rossoneri and onwards we march.
Come on you Spurs.
Reader Comments (52)
coys
I want to win ....0-0 is enough...No Extra time..No Penalty Shootouts..I cant bear it..I want to gloat to all my dear Arsenal fans that we are in Quarterfinals..Dont Disappoint us Spurs ! COYS !
Please please no Hutton or Pienaar - in which case uncharacteristically I'm almost optimistic. But if the mad Scot plays.....
I expect Wilson to play. Sandro is looking good, but I expect Harry to go with experience - because it needs a composed, professional performance....yes I know that that does not 100% describe Wilson, but you know what I mean...
Water for the horses and beer for the men!!! For tonight we ride for King and Country! Spurs, left to fly the flag in Europe after Ar5enlolol's poor effort last night. Who'd a thunk it 6 months ago? COYS!!!!!!
The only chance that Milan has today, and I think it will be its main aim, is to score in the first 15-20 minutes and upsets Spurs. Because otherwise and as the game will progress they will be in the minor given their shortcomings in pace and stamina and it would be more probable to concede than to score goals. So it is absolutely necessary for our team to play very concentrated and cautious during the first minutes of the game. We should be also beware of the referee.
I'm already nervous. No, very very nervous. Been here before, I think.
I agree with Spooky - no containment, no attempts to control the game, other than OUR game. Down the wings FAST, moving the ball back across the middle when necessary, not allowing their c-backs to settle.
Wish I hadn't started this....I'm now even more nervous than 45 seconds ago.
Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur!
We have been rightly praised for the the great atmosphere on European nights but this season we have not suffered any setbacks in those games.
So lets make sure WHL is a cauldron of noise and keep it up even if Milan score first and things look bad.
Milan wont be used to such a tight ground and filled with north London's finest going crazy we can make them buckle.
So If you are going tonight make sure you have lost your voice by the end of the game and you do your bit to beat Milan.
COYS !
"Suddenly, on the eve of a game of this magnitude, you start to feel that old sentimental romanticised flutter of butterflies in your gut about how football, at it's purest level, is about the games."
So so true. No matter what people think everyone remembers where they were for the great games. Hopefully we remember tonight for all the right reasons!
COYS
Defoe said we would get further in the competition than Arsenal.
The true kings of North London to progress!
Forward!
Spurs!
Destroy them!
The club has announced a ban on ticker-tape/ripped up newspaper tonight due to health and safety fears.
i always make a point of coming on this site prior to big game! i cannot wait to get in that stadium, AC Milan at the lane for a place in the quarters, i can still hardly believe it! COME ON YOU SPPUURRRSSS!!!
I read old man Seedorf's analysis on BBC Football - what a load of bollocks... I hope he and his whole cheating team get sent home hurting tonight
No JENAS!!!!! I humbly beg.
That was the main reason we came away with the win at the San Siro. Sandro is a must!
Jenas has already caused us too much pain over the years. Please, please, please, not tonight. If he bounces onto the WHL instead of our Sandro...we are DOOMED! I know the useless prick has a godfather of soughts at Spurs who ensures that he gets game time awful performance after awful performance (Mr. Levy perhaps?) but please, I CRY to you f*cked up godfather of Jenas, please not tonight.
Hutton may score an own goal. That chap is up to no good.
Otherwise, our great team will win tonight.
Thank you Harry for everything. Just remember though Harry, for the sake of Spurs, your legacy and your England job too, no favours to donkey Jenas tonight, promise him the NLD if you must, but please not tonight.
Quality post. Brings a tear to the eye. Do us proud again Spurs. COYS
If we get through, Defoe's quote will go down in history.
I have that same feeling i had before West Ham on the final game of the season.
Seems like it is ours for the taking - only, can we really take it?
It's going to be one hell of a night and it's in our own hands.
This is how we will win the game tonight:-
1. Play at pace. Run at them. When they have the ball close them down like Barca did to the Arse last night. Even 'good' players make mistakes when they have no time.
2. When it gets rough and dirty (and it will), rise above it like we did in the first game. Laugh in their faces like Crouchie did to Gatusso. We do not need any red cards making our task more difficult tonight (and in the next round).
3. Play without fear. Remember - we are Tottenham Hotspur - the most successful London club in European Football history!
4. The fans need to make Flamini wish he was anywhere else in the world other than on that football pitch tonight. Make sure the referee feels the pressure building on every foul (however minor) the dirty little gooner makes. Let's make it a mission to see him walk down the tunnel before the 90 minutes is up!
5. Hit them with a barrage of noise that lasts from the first whistle to the last, however the game is going.
They think they can still win this - let them know from the off that they can't!
COYS
Going to be a MONSTER night.
Three things I want to happen tonight:
1. Sandro to start
2. A win...any will do.
3. Make sure that Flamini doesn't get off the pitch alive. Never forgive that gooner c*** for wht he did at San Siro.
WE DON'T HAVE TO DARE, WE WILL DO.
COYS
Do a Richard Keys and smash 'em!!
What has become the standard oh-god, oh-god, tummy in total turmoil pre-CL match nerves here. Once the match starts, I'm fine. But the hours just before...no idea what will happen tonight, which is a traditional Spurs motif, but "the very fact that I’m sitting here thinking I will be disappointed and gutted if we go out" that's new.
Expectations all over the map. Part of me thinks hell, why can't we win the whole thing, the year end in two ones, FFS. Probably easier than finishing fourth. Part of me would be entirely satisfied as long as we went out in a blaze of glory, a 4-3 loss for example.
It's been a great ride so far and truly, madly deeply Tottenham in the classic glory glory manner. I hope it goes on. If we don't, yes, I'll be gutted, but still grateful for the amazing entertainment and proud of our team.
I expect Palacios to play instead of Sandro. AC Milan have got an incredible strikeforce but, without Pirlo, Palacios doing a job on Seedorf should stop most of their supply.
LMFAO at Phil's Mick McCarthy impression on this weeks Spurs Show
Same as last time: be strong, play with a high tempo, plenty of movement, keep the ball, open them up down the flanks, knock it into Crouchie, pick up the pieces and finish em off with some clinical finishing... and when we haven't got the ball get right in their faces, hunt them down in packs and make sure that Flamini gets some treatment!
Patience, confidence and belief: winning is all in the head!
But remember, no silly challenges... we're always only one poor decision from a dodgy official away from going out, don't give them the opportunity!
COYMFS!
We need to play like honeybadgers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg
COYS!
"Hutton may score an own goal. That chap is up to no good."
Phew, thank goodness I'm not alone in thinking that.... he's on a personal mission. Dangerous !!
By all accounts Charlie is fit to start....thank christ for that I couldnt bear Hutton on the right.
Reckon we'll go 4-4-2 with vdV right and Lennon on left (assuming Bale is not risked from the start - think this is why harry has been trying Lennon on the left)
JD and Crouchie up front.
But in saying that I'm probably wrong
5 hours to go....tick tock tick tock tick tock.....
Prediction...we win 2-0
BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICKING IT
Nerveux?
Qui... moi?
Oui... oo la la --- I just went all Franch just then!!!
Allez, vous eperons!!!!
Why are people nervous? If we win, success. If we lose, it has been a success. Relax!
Sure I want us to win. But will certainly be bricking it when we draw Barca in the next round!
I think it's key we start strongly at the back... and don't have anyone with a rush of blood to the head get themselves sent off (see Gomes against Inter and indeed RVP for the Woolwich Wanderers last night). First 5 mins, stay rock solid.
We need everyone concentrating and not letting the epic occasion get to them... we know Milan will try and wind us up like Flamini and Gattuso did in they first leg, just play our own game and don't react!
"Go for their jugular. Ruin them" .......why the fuck not eh?? If ever there was a bunch of graceless tossers that needed to get rinsed then this lot are them........a great line spooks lets hope it transcends to prophecy....
COME ON YOU MOTHER FUCKING GLORIOUS LILLYWHITE WEARING SPURS
Think we'll line up as follows:
Gomes
Corluka
Gallas
Dawson
Ekotto
Lennon
Sandro
Palacios
Modric
VDV
Crouch
Can't see Pienaar getting a start, and Bale of the bench for sure, unless we've got it wrapped up.
Just think that we need to get the midfield defense spot on and That's why we'll go with both the South Americans in the middle of the park.
We'll defo score, so they need a minimum of two to do anything, think we'll be okay.
Confidence. Style. Flair.
Let's do this.
Off I go. COYS. 3-1. Q-Fs PLEASE.
To dare is to fucking do.
See you on the other side.
CAN SOMEONE JUST SUM UP HOW MANY TIMES/POINTS ALAN HUTTON HAD COST US THIS SEASON ? SOMEONE JUST GOT TO TELL HUTTON HE IS A DEFENDER BY DEFAULT ! Atrocious defending at best and leave lennon to do what he does best and stop taking up his space. PLEASE PLEASE HARRY DO NOT START HUTTON ON RB against milan, I beg u please, he might just concede stupid penalties like the one he did against wolves. CORLUKA PLEASE !
Keep it tight in the first 20mins and we will be on our way.
WE can do this , all the way to the final ! COYS !
It's weird, I've never looked forward to a game as much as this one, and yet I can't remember ever feeling quite this pessimistic. I've got a sickly feeling that it will be more of a Young Boys 1st leg showing- yet I obviously hope I'm utterly wrong. This is what being a Spurs fan does to you.
So the team has been chosen and Spooky is obviously really Harry!! At last we know where those rallying half time team talks come from.
The time has come, yidarmy to the fore, to dare is etc.
COYFS.
Okay - so Pienaar on the left doesn't work.... we fans know that, so why doesn't Harry???
We have NO width at the moment.
Bale needs to come on now in his place and give Milan something to think about.
I hate Crouch so much... I can't believe I ever believed in long ball bullsh*t.
Is it now that you see what Crouch is about??
Big issues;
1. Crouch - always has been and always will be
2. Pinnaar - not even worth 2 million
3. Hutton needs to go
4. Gomez is a liability and we cant carry him. He has a real issue with hyper activity when he was a baby and every time he caught a small soft ball he wanted to through it out o the pram - its a deep issue and has never managed to get over it!!! Hang on to the f@@@@ ball for a minute for f@@@ sake for once in your f@@@ life!!!!
man of the match for me - Sandros - brilliant
Lick balls, Ancient Cnuts Milan. Lick balls Excusenal. Lick balls Chris Coleman. Smash earthly fuck out of Wet Spam.
Gomez scared the shit out of me during the milan match.
Anyway as expected, we are through ............ WHO'S NEXT !!!!??
Oh jesus that was nervy.
Sandro was brilliant.
I hope Harry thinks twice about the Crouch-VDV pairing in the next round. The knock downs were not happening.
Gomes is really freaking me out.
Milan did a nice job of shutting down Lennon in the first half. We had our moments but overall we managed a bit of luck to get through. So it goes.
COYS
Knocked Milan out and yet someone of you still jump over the negatives. Fuck off.
Ollie for some the glass will always be half empty. That's life.
Great night. 2 games played. Nil goals conceded. That will do me.
COYS.
Champions League we're having a laugh...................