The fling is over, now for the rebound
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 12:50PM I was sat in a pub in Gatley, Manchester watching the second leg of our quarter final against Real Madrid. Every ten minutes, I quietly whispered to my Mancunian mate, "If we score a goal in the next five minutes, we might just have enough time to make a comeback". I repeated this line up until the 91st minute before finally surrendering any possible hope of over-turning the mighty four nil first leg deficit. I wasn't drunk. Hardly drunk. I wouldn't even call it optimism or delusion. Just whimsical dreaming.
I sighed and applauded. It all ended anti-climatically in the end, the strength of the visitors (and the lack of lady luck) meaning there was no full blooded highly implausible and improbably attempt of a comeback that perhaps a single early goal would have given us. Instead a single howler of a goal for the visitors finally laid to rest one of the most enthralling début seasons the Champions League has ever seen. And as much as I'd have loved to see us up against those possession pests from Barcelona, it's not to be. Not this season.
Perhaps in the not so distant future we'll have grown in maturity further and improved our quality in certain positions to once more do battle with the very best Europe has to offer. Two games, five goals conceded but arguably only one great goal scored against us - the rest, poorly defended or errors. That's not bad going considering what happened in the Bernabeu and the fact that we lived with them in the return and applied plenty of effort with that telling cutting edge. We might have still been outclassed over the two sets of 90 minutes even if Crouch had not been sent off. We'll never know. And that's where the frustration festers. Madrid are hardly a shabby outfit themselves. Credit to them and Tottenham's future manager.
What?
It's been a grand old adventure. But it's been so much more than that. We've proved we can compete at the top. Not quite with the very best but we still reached the quarter-finals when all believed we'd only manage to finish third in our group. That deserves a smile or two. Along with the good this campaign has done for our stature and name. The impact of Gareth Bale. The memories of being 3-0 down in the qualifiers, the San Siro, the 3-1 Inter win, the San Siro again. The goals scored 'for' during the group stages. The entertainment and refreshing attacking mindset of Harry and the players. It's been wonderful. Memories of standing in the away end at Upton Park in 2006, banished forever.
We've lived the dream, lost our cherry. But I don't want another adventure. I want sustained participation, at the very least, every other year if not every year. In fact I don't want it refereed to as an adventure again. Adventures are a once in a life-time occurrence in some far off fantasy world. We got into the CL because we deserved it and we got as far as we did because we deserved it. And the fact we even entertained the possibility of making it to the semi-finals (perhaps had we faced Chelsea) doesn't just speak to me, it sings.
Seasonal battles on the continent with this team continuing its progression forwards, building on the foundations we've set as a club these past two season that wants to be successful and wants to aim even higher. The culture of comfort is dead. It lived long enough. Too long. Onwards with the next chapter.
Long live the desire to dare and to do. And come on you Spurs.
Reader Comments (29)
I want every season to feel like an adventure!
Haha, good one.
Quite simply....4th is now ours to lose. Our fate can now be decided by our results.....we don't have to rely on any other teams, just win our games and get some momentum going. I think the boys are going to play like men possessed.... possessed with the desire to win and achieve and succeed again at a time when still, somehow, we have been written off despite being in as good a form as 2 of the 4 teams above us.
I want to see more goals now, ball in the back of the net and no more squandered chances.
I believe.
So proud of where we've got to, but also feel we've flattered to deceive at times this season. Prem form has been erratic. Beating Inter and AC were great scalps but can't help think that neither team were the Real deal this season (unlike Madrid).
Some players really came of age with Dawson, Bale and Modric excelling and proving their class. Crouch proving he's a better suited to Europe than prem.
On the flip side, VdV looks like Keano more and more each game, pointing and shouting in frustration (one season wonder anyone), Pav - a man for 45 minutes and Jermain desperately trying to find his form.
The run-in will really tell us more about our standing. The Champions League has been a real adventure, but finishing 4th (again) will dictate whether the season can be seen as a success or not.
Look, were werent good enough, end of. No point toruring ourselves over 'what might have been'. Whatever had happened, we would have gone out. Just like Arsenal fans deluding themselves that they went out to Barca because of Bendtner. They didnt, and we didnt lose to Madrid because of Crouch or Gomes. We lost because they have 2 players who each cost more than our entire starting line up (Ronaldo and Kaka), and who each, I am certain, earn more on their own than our 11 put together. They have an all time great coach being paid 10 times what Harry gets (at least). The stats tell you we cant compete with that, and guess what? - they were right.
In truth the highlight of the campaign was Inter at home. Lets be honest, looking back, both matches against Milan were damp squibs, and Madrid just steam rollered us. But we'll always have the Inter game. And then we came of age against Werder at home - we simply outclassed them, became a team that knew it was too good for the group stages.
4th is a big ask. I know its in our hands, but repeating last year's run in is kind of like expecting lightening to strike twice. I can see us picking up draws at Chelsea and City, but frankly I dont see us beating Arsenal, which we really need to do. Go on boys, prove me wrong. You have before (positively and negatively, it has to be said). On the plus side, Kaboul and Hudd rerturning is sure to provide impetus.
As for VDV being a one season wonder, no chance. He has been poor since Xmas, but clearly isnt fully fit. I - and I am sure I'm not alone in this - have followed his career since he broke into the Ajax team. One of the best young players in Europe, and now one of the best players full stop. No chance of a one season wonder. Watch him go next year - he is probably our most talented player, Bale and Modders included.
What the fk are we supposed to do with our lives this weekend?
COYS
The idea that VdV is a one-season wonder is a non-starter. With a decent pre-season behind him (he didn't have one at Real due to injury) and having adjusted to the pace of the English game, he will be one of <the> players of next season. We WILL finish 4th this time out and we will go into the new campaign having grown as a team and a club. And I trust HR to sign the right players to take us forward - he usually does. It's just securing the players of true quality who will help take us forward (rather than swapping like for like) isn't easy when you're not a Barca/Man U etc.
I'm sorry that Pav and Kranky (especially) haven't seen more playing time, but otherwise am hugely pleased with how we've done - in the real world that is, rather than the plane of unrealistic expectation that so many fans seem to exist on. COYS!
Every season's an adventure being a Spurs fan, it's character building!
No doubt the squad will give their all in the run-in, we're a better all-round team than we were this time last year and we know we can deliver... this time round we're more experienced, have more confidence and self-belief, and now we've tasted the ambrosia we're even hungrier to make sure we not only get another taste but we get smothered in it... hold on to your hats, it's gonna be one hell of a ride!
COYMFS!
"In truth the highlight of the campaign was Inter at home"
I was at the AC away game and can tell you that that was the highlight for me... We played them off of the park in the first half and then defended for our lives in the second. ... then came crouchies goal....I have loved every minute of this "adventure" and dearly wish for it to be repeated next season. In fact if we dont make fourth I'd rather finish 6th and miss out on Uefa to concentrate on a cup and top 3 finish....
Spurs have done us proud this season, yes there have been some dodgy results but from where I sit (Shelf side) its been a magical ride... and its not over yet - COYS!
Hopefully going out to Real will be a blessing and sort our erratic prem form, had we progressed we would all be looking at Barcalona with 4th spot a second thought. coys - we don't want to be one season wonders now do we!
erm i dot know if you r correct in ur summing up of dawson, yes he whole hearted but coming of age ? hmmm he has 1 pass, and thats long and diagonal, and hit with fierce pace in the air , only kanoute and poss berbatov cud even get near to bringing down and using those passes,
surely he can use the ball a bit better? it jus keeps comin bak,and he very very slow, but if he can impprove on his use of the ball, then yeah, our main problem is we look 2nd divisionish for most of the season, and have struggled to keep composure and more importantly keep the ball , compared to the top 4 sides and infact many premiership sides keep the ball soo much better than us, bolton, sunderland, fulham stoke etc, and they are traditionally long or semi long ball teams!
it does bring into question the coaches at spurs and what they actually focus on,
barca have a small team and clearly focus on there movement and sort passing etc,
we play long up to front players and expect an end product, normally a speculative shot.
coys...and coy coaches
Can Harry spend some time with the boys & coaches working out a strategy for Arsenal. They have plenty of time to work things out. Fortunately we dont have injuries. VDV needs just 35 min to prove himself. If not responsive, sub. hom
Deportivo La Caruna. Bayern Leverkusen
That is what I fear.
Teams like this have made impressive dabbles in the European Cup, really impressed the world. Brought unknown players to the attention of the watching world. Their players have been cherry picked and the clubs disappears from the big stage.
I don't pretend Bale et al will stay with us forever. Even Utd couldn't stop Ronaldo leaving and they are top of the tree. I just hope it can be done in a sustainable way with a smooth transition rather than being left with huge black holes in our squad when the likes of Carrick, Keane & Berbatov and gone.
"despite being in as good a form as 2 of the 4 teams above us."
Apr 15, 2011 at 1:14 PM | davedajew
and better than one (no prizes for guessing who) !!
It was a great ride , no doubt. I enjoyed every minute of it , even the trashing at Madrid , because they showed us what is needed to reach the next level, Money :-) No not only money , but it does help a lot these days.
I do not see us reaching top 4 this season though. We lack the goals , it's that simple , we lack an almost world class striker. And Ancy has a point about Dawson , even last year we were complaining about the constant use ot the long ball.
This summer we need a striker , a real good one that can be used immediately (so not Lukaku) and maybe a new manager , if the England job thing comes through.
A fitting epitaph to our European season.
I think if we play like we did on Wednesday for the rest of the season, providing we get our fair share of luck, then 4th is likely, and maybe even third, though that is a "big ask"
Great ride in the CL, but can anyone honestly remember a good performance from us domestically? We have staggered from one game to the next.
What i took from the Madrid game is, Thudds passing is as bad as i remembered (lets please stop making him out to be the next hoddle, too fat, too slow, too ineffective), Dawson drops far too deep and has a habit of giving Lennon a 50/50 in the air from his wayward diagonal passes. Kranch needs to leave (anyone that plays with his sleeves over his hands isn't up for the fight) and Defoe is not the guy to lead our line!
Lets hope the 5 games prior to Stoke haven't cost us 4th.
Did I read that correctly-are you seriously suggesting Mourinho as our next manager - "Credit to them and Tottenham's future manager"?? Joking aside, believe Van der Vaart has become a problem, and the reason we're scoring so few goals. Can't sacrifice a team to accomodate a very good (unfit) player....
A fully fit vdV with pre-season behind him, as one or two have suggested will be just fine especially if we finally sign that elusive 'world class' forward.
Re: Jose. I was jesting. Not sure I had to point that out, but hey, too late now. I've done it.
So besides last year 5th is the best we got, a position that this year is almost nailed on and we're snapping at the heels of 4th, yet apparently we have been poor domestically - proof of vast improvement and potential if ever I saw it, not something to down about. We were beaten by a better team of experienced high valued superstars and of course we were going to go out, except we were bound to go out to the team of experienced high valued superstars taht we beat the round before. I am disappointed we went out even though I was expecting it, but it was a small price to pay for the jubilation I felt for beating AC because I certainly wasnt expecting that and over the course of the next 12 months I know which memory will remain with me.
Regardless of who finishes 5th or 4th the chances are that Liverpool will be seeing less european football than last year, 2 years with out CL football is a big gap for a top 4 team new owners or not and some of the players that stayed last year may be questioning whether their short careers and international reputations can stomach another, the face of football in England is changing and we are very much in the mix
Does anyone know how long Jenas has left on his contract? Thinking of keeping a tally chart above my head board.
CL Football this year was awesome but it cost me so much money! Went to Milan and Real at home and the cost of the Sky per month just to watch Spurs...I hope we get 6th!
Ps - Thought the fans were excellent on Wednesday but I was a bit upset that we can't think of a song for everyone!? And Ledders was there and we didn't even sing his song...I guess we were all worried UEFA might fine the club.
David Baddiel - The Solution to World Peace.
"And the fact we even entertained the possibility of making it to the semi-finals (perhaps had we faced Chelsea) doesn't just speak to me, it sings."
This is exactly why I love your writing mate. The poetry in the prose, beautiful, and it expresses exactly how my heart feels and thus connects.
I don't know maybe it was all the beer, but I thought I saw a glint in Jose's eye at the final whistle as he surveyed the crowd at WHL going nuts even though we got knocked out. As if he was thinking, "This is a club with spirit. I could get to like it here....."
It was probably the beer.
Dreams are what Spurs are made of Spooky and sometimes, like all good dreams, they seem so real that when you wake up you believe it is still happening.
Let's hope that the dream of the early rounds of the CL continues through the last few weeks of the PL season....probably need to eat loads of cheese and drink copious amounts of red wine before going to bed though. COYS
I'm not as dedicated as you.
I gave up with 10 minutes to go and 7 to get.
Lack of belief there Jimmy, I admit it.
Davedaj-word (Better check with Baddiel about that moniker)
I like the sound of your "fourth is ours to lose."
Well put.
COYMFS!!!!!!!!
As soon as Real Madrid came out the hat I was both excited & disappointed as I knew this would be our curtain call in this seasons champions league. Maybe if Juande Ramos was still in charge at Madrid we'd had stood a chance but a primed bunch of seasoned CL campaigners orchestrated by "The Mouriniho". I think he'll do it again this year and we went out to the Champions. So onto the run in and can we get fourth spot? Our obvious weakness all season has been up front and if we miss out it will purely be down to this imho. So if we miss out I expect to see radical changes upfront in the transfer window. If we want to keep hold of Bale we have to be improving the team regardless of position 4th or 5th. Harry missed a trick with Suarez although that would have mean't the end of Defoe. Man U, Madrid even Chelsea will come in for Bale and Modric regardless of contracts or pledges. If we go through another window signing freebies or waiting till the 11th hour to sign someone I think Bale will be long gone.
I don't know maybe it was all the beer, but I thought I saw a glint in Jose's eye at the final whistle as he surveyed the crowd at WHL going nuts even though we got knocked out. As if he was thinking, "This is a club with spirit. I could get to like it here....." ... Apr 16, 2011 at 4:26 AM | big sky spur
"This is a club with spirit".... add to that, a club with history, with a tradition, with soul !!
Unlike the rest.
hi spuds!
Happy anniversary! 50 years.....and never again!
cheers for another 50 years
Cracking banter there Brook. Really bringing it to the table. Where you been buddy? Not seen you since the 3-2.