That's football
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 9:12PM Sometimes you can feel more alive and inspired when the overriding emotion is one of dejection and disappointment. Football is dramatic, ironic and cruel at the best of times. It’s operatic with its twisting arcs. Colourful with its characters. Devastating at the finale. Yet somewhere in amongst the pain and anguish that you feel when the whistle is blown and the defeat sinks in, you can appreciate the intent and desire that played out during the game. It’s bitter-sweet, but it’s not misguided and neither is it a deflection to ease one’s self through the stages of grief.
We lost a game of football. A game we could have won 3-2, which we lost 3-2. But we could have genuinely won 3-2. The margin for error is so small, one half step too late or to early you don’t quite make it. On this given Sunday, we did not make it. We lost a game of football against the side that's most likely going to win the title.
Such defeats are always the worst kind to accept, especially when the difference in both sides was negligible. They were missing two key players, arguably the same can be said for us. There’s plenty of debate to be had concerning Lescott and Balotelli. Discussions on our defending, hindsight withstanding. For me, it was always going to be about the belief that has seen us generate so much solid consistent momentum going into this game. There is never shame in defeat if you match your opponent. Let's remember the tag this match had before kick-off and the fact our name was attached to it.
This is a Tottenham side contending. A Spurs side that doesn't lose often. Building from one game to the next. The title is beyond us now, probably always was. But the margin remains small. City have quality in strength of depth. That's their edge, much like Manchester United's is one of experience and seasoned tenacity. We still have to mature a little with what we have. And yet, if that half step wasn’t late we might be celebrating instead of commiserating. We’re simply reminded that we still have work to do.
I feel alive and inspired because we came back from 2-0 down and we displayed to all that witnessed that we are no longer this delinquent teenage punk giving it all mouth then apologising for the noise. We’re tooled up these days. We can take a punch and we can dish one out. We have the mental strength. The Bale goal, beautiful in every conceivable way when wishing to describe a goal scored by Spurs. That spirit, guile...it makes me embrace the positive emotion from the dejection and disappointment. City might have let us back in the game but you still have to turn up when invited.
If Bale had crossed early...
If Defoe had moved to attack the ball a second earlier...
If <insert City player> had been sent off...
Had we not given away three goals...
Games are full of incidents, perhaps not always as controversial or heart-stopping. The incident with Parker, regretful. Regretful that Mr Webb didn’t witness it. Balotelli knew what he was doing. Did not look like an act of retaining balance. The FA agree. Inconsistency though with the Lescott elbow being ignored, on and off the pitch. As bad as the Mario kick. In a perverse way its good that our two (recent) defeats (this one and the Stoke game) have question marks littered over them. But no point in claiming victimisation. It's just a harsh lesson that you can’t rely on anyone other than those in Lilywhite.
We were top drawer at times against the top team in the country. You don’t get any points for that, but I trust the players to take similar inspiration from the performance as I have. Confidence to fight back in-game has yet to translate to confidence to dominate this type of encounter from the kick-off. To believe that attack is the key to winning and taking three points rather than containment to guarantee a single one. Okay, so there were naive mistakes made but then I've not quite understood the necessity to slate certain players (i.e. Walker) who still have much to learn. It can cost us, but then when someone as great as Ledley King is prone to error it adds perspective to the occasion. But then you can sit and debate the mechanics of destiny that led up to the games defining moment until you've gone mad. Had the ball not been cleared in the manner it had. Very easy to point out the obvious after the fact to lay blame on the outcome.
It's also worth detaching yourself from a single game in isolation or only citing a series of performances that might add weight to your argument and thus ignoring the bigger picture. Would Ronaldo be the player he is today if he was simply left to play out wide? Gareth Bale was once a left-back. To free-roam, to play as an inside-forward...this is essential to his development. Coaching and tactical instructions equally imperative to aid his movement and effectiveness across the season and in single games when perhaps more discipline is required. We need to be shrewd in making sure the development retains cohesiveness and is not detrimental to the sides balance. The boy is a beast. But he's still a boy. Thought he was superb in the second half.
The secret to success is to hate defeat, to despise it. But also to respect the fact that it happens. No doubt the players feel devastated but this should only add fuel to push forward, harder. Thankfully for us it only seems like we’ve lost twice this season (rather than four times) because of the lack of a cohesive middle in the opening two fixtures I find myself detaching myself from those two games. Still, four defeats, 3rd, a ten point gap between us and 5th spot. That is hardly discouraging.
We can’t afford to lose focus. This unit of players are deserving to themselves and the shirt to truly aspire, to dare to achieve. I hold onto the positives because it’s easier to support and love your club if you accept the truth and embrace it. And the truth is? We’re not quite good enough. Not yet. But we are still a very good side. The best I've seen for decades. We have to continue to grow and adapt and display the team spirit we've shown in abundance this season.
When you remind yourself of that margin, this article might have been altogether a different read. Maybe next time the belief will be evident at the first whistle and cemented at the last. Another complete forward will do the trick so we can then always retain Plan A.
Football is dramatic, ironic and cruel. In nine minutes and six seconds we were left dizzy. At the death, left numb.
Still marching.
Reader Comments (60)
An excellent reflective read. I was at the game I was devastated when JD.... on the floor with the pen ... yet on the way back felt a great sense of pride.... Citeh fans were genuinely commiserating.... COYMS!!!!
Yeah, it's was all of that.
I love what we do and the way we do it.
COYS
i must say i was not sad for the los. i think we did a great game, and coming back from 0-2, that is great spirit. but there is a lot of games still to come, and the way chelsea,arsenal, and liverpool is playing there is a good chance to take 3 points from the lot of them. we are still 3. and we should be proud of the way we are playing. i dont blame the ref for not sending ballotelli off, i did not see the kick before i did see the replay on tv. hounors to spurs, we are still learning and we still look strong. coys.
Disgusted that Lescott has been let off. Officials have now cost us 6 points this season. However it all evens itself out.....of course it doesn't!
Spot on! Boys did well and was able to smile and laugh at the whistle! It's a game if margin! 5 goals and I don't remember either goalies making a save! Good entertainment and should not be down trodden by failure to put pressure on the top 2 on this occasion! We showed we can mix it with the best and the apparent "best" is not indestructible! Everyone will drop points but we have united at home and I believe we can beat them, Chelsea arnt clicking arsenal are not the same as they have been and we only have to score 2 at anfield to seemingly collect all 3 points! Not saying we can win the league but we can keep close and top 3 is definitely there for the taking! Keep pushing fellas COYS
Good read!
Notwithstanding injustices in game, we should be concerned with our poor defending and decision-making at the back. Surely Assou-Ekotto should have let the ball run out of play for a spurs throw instead of heaving the ball upfield to lonesome JD (penaly came right after). And the first 2 goals came from schoolboy defending to say the least.
jesus, spooky. your posts give me the chills every time and make me so proud to be a spurs fan. thank you and wonderful stuff again.
couldnt be phukked to read this farkin drivel today after being cheated by Bagojelly and that useless blind cnt Homo fakkin Webb....both are scumbags!! Any cnt that tries to defend the goon ugly phukka is a disgrace, it it so blatantly fakkin obvious he did it deliberately. Fixed!!! Shenanigans!!!
Great read as always, best Spurs blog by far. Gutted about yesterday, I harboured faint hopes of a league title, still keep the current squad and bring in a couple of additions and just maybe next year? When we went down 2-0 yesterday I feared the worst, the character shown by our boys was exceptional to come back. I felt deflated after the game, I've moved on though and am filled with pride, jesus our team have come a long way in recent years. This squad are close to greatness, I hope they stay together and Harry stays at the helm. COYS!!!
Spot on spooks... Yet again, great read, and yes we can be proud in defeat, we are indeed still work in progress, we do need that world class striker and then I honestly believe we will have what it takes to compete for the title.... The joy that I felt when bales screamer hit the back of the net and the ecstatic spurs fans behind the goal are the images that I want to retain from the match.... Not the feelings I had at the final whistle.
We can be very proud of our team, even in defeat. COYS !
Top-notch writing and reaction. In boxing terms, we stood toe-to-toe with the probable title winners, with the ref turning a blind eye to some below-the-belt punching. Nothing to fear from any of the rest, and that includes Man Utd. This squad needs to believe they give Fergie's mob a pasting.
BTW, what's Harry's dog called ?
Reluctant to give up the title dream. I still think we can close the gap by the 5th of May and then bring it down to the final weekend. Keep believing.
Wouldnt say the title is beyond us yet, same as a 10 point cushion doesn't mean the scum (or bindippers/Newcastle) won't overhaul us. Lots of games to be played still, Europe to resume. I 'aint heard no fat lady! COYS
Really nice piece, Spooks.
Rosie
As long as we're not spoken about or expected to re: title. I'm content. We'll regroup, we'll fight to retain/better our position. Until its mathematically impossible.
Being pragmatic in defeat is unfortunately not an option in my eyes.... I am gutted, devastated and wish nothing but misfortune on baloteli, lescot and every city scumbag supporter winging about a city conspiracy to stop them winning the league.
All I saw was a ref who blatantly shit out of sending off 2 players in a crunch title match.
my fear now is that we are mentaly scarred by this heinous defeat that 24 hours on I am still smarting about. Technology required - yes, these things even out over a season - I just don't know if there is enough games for that to happen,
Did we play well? For 20 minutes we were brilliant however I called the penalty as soon as the ball bounced between the two defenders.
Can we win - up hill task
Can we Finnish ahead of everyone outside of Manchester - I hope so but after Sunday I am scarred, I just hope the team have taken it better than me.
I don't want to write this as a criticism of an individual player - my take on the game was that we were heroic generally - but with 15 secs left on the clock BAE is watching the ball drift towards a throw-in to us some 20 yards from our goal line. Instead of allowing the ball out, he hoofs it up and it goes where no Spurs player is standing. It comes back quickly and with interest. The rest, as they say, is history. With such a short period left, we could have slowed the throw, walked up the line - you know, all the usual professional tricks. I really wish we had ........ but onwards and upwards ..... let's take it on the chin and move on!! COYS!!!
Great article and lovely writing. Agree with all- we need a striker though to add to JD and Adebayor! We are currently as good as the league says we are- the 3rd best team in the country- if we want to be second or first we need another striker, winger and defender. Preferably, Higuain, Vertoghren and Shaquri.COYS!
If Defoe had got that ball in the net and we won 3-2, we would be still deluded and talking up a title win. Maybe the defeat will be less cruel in the long run. Hope this defeat will teach a few tricks to the likes of BAE and Walker. Have to say that Webb is a whore, how he gets away with his treatment of us is scandalous. Although I'm still smarting, it was a comfort to look at the Goooner blogs on the ES today.
Devestated, we were only just the second best team on the field for the first 55 or so minutes and after going 2-0 down I feared the flood gates would open, instead we turned the game round completely and looked so much better then City in the last 35 that city looked like a team facing relegation desperately trying to hold onto a point rather than win it.
Some poor defending all round didn't help at all, Kaboul got caught a mile out of position on the opening goal and Walker unable to cover the run, King's terrible tackle in the 93rd minute.
On Balotelli, how is his most definite suspension going to help Spurs? Surely a fourth official should be able to communicate to the ref that he is dirty cheating twat, a scourge of football, and been sent off, especially when play was stopped for the injury.
Not that I'm bitter or anything
Wow!! Your articles are always very good spooky but this one is just fantastic. Thanks. Made me feel a little better now.
Wow!! Your articles are always very good spooky but this one is just fantastic. Thanks. Made me feel a little better now.
Some of you deluded mug punter Spurs fans need to get your head out of your arse. Have you totally forgotten that City have loaned you the best striker on your books in Adebayor yet you're still effectively 9 points behind the Manchester club? At a conservative estimate Adebayor has gained Spurs an extra 9 points but most would say it not unreasonable to attribute the best part of 20 to his contribution. City were missing 2 hugely important players yesterday each of which could be argued is the best there is in world football in their respective positions. Even without these City still had more possession, shots on target and play in & around the box and allowed Spurs back into the game when a wildly inept reserve made an atrocious error from a long aimless hoof up the pitch by a Spurs player. Hart was also at fault on both goals. Adebayor will go to QPR in the summer and Spurs will be left looking to find 3 top quality players and 3 decent squad players. If City want Bale then you might as well rip up the whole lot and start again as you'll then be as far away from landing your first champo in half a century as you have been in living memory.
Playing well and getting nothing isn't a good sign..! U say we need to improve to win the league in the future. But this will be our best chance because city will just get stronger and the gap bigger. Football has been ruined by £££. Believe me if bale was offered £200000 a week he would be gone tomorrow. Champions league will be our goal every season. The league is way to much to ask for. It's nice to dream but that's all we will be doing..!
SuperMario you've won an fa cup so far in this era. You haven't won the league yet this season and your own manager was upset at your win yesterday. We proved you could be got at remember that when you're watching your team in the Europa league on Thursday nights because you couldn't even make it out of the group. Even if we can't knock you off your perch united still can. Your cockiness could be your undoing.
God I hate trolls.
This helped me get over the pain a bit and feel proud! Lets cement 3rd place and enjoy the rest of a cracking season!
When a Man City fan comes in talking about how long it's been since we won a trophy it really makes me smile.
Oh look. A stereotypical modern day Man City fan completely void of class. What a shocker. Shame you couldn't echo the sentiments of the fan that posted earlier. You sound as arrogant and deluded as a gooner would. Is it really so difficult to just admit to the truth? Or is that a sign of weakness, to concede that Spurs not only matched you but could have quite easily beaten you. You'll enjoy football so much more if you weren't so bitter.
Carry on mugging yourself off guv.
Canada yid...if you're going to make snide comments at least get your facts right. Like the Spurs got wrong at the match on Sunday we'll actually be playing Wednesday nights, ITV 4...so the joke's on you! Yeah we didn't play well but still would have won with comfort had Savic anot made a terrible error. The fact you couldn't beat us with him in the team should be galling for Spurs fans trust me.
Had Savic not made a terrible error.
Had Defoe not missed.
Had Ledley King not fouled.
Hey, while we're at it, had billionaire oil barons not bought City.
And so forth.
Continue bringing the lols.
Savic created your 2 best chances of the game. Fact. The other player you list are lauded EPL campaigners.
Al Pacino in "Any Given Sunday"
" ...
You find out that life is just a game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game life or football the margin for error is so small.
I mean one half step too late or to early you don't quite make it.
One half second too slow or too fast and you don't quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
They are in ever break of the game every minute, every second.
..."
Great read Spooks. COYS
A fantastic read as always and sums it up perfectly. But wow - if SuperMario is this bitter in victory what the hell is he/she like in defeat? Scary amount of class shown by the citeh fan...
The jokes on me? Hahaha! Because ITV 4 on Wednesdays is more glamorous than Thursdays on Channel Five? Wow, I think you've been taking too many mushrooms SuperMario.
-----------------
Spooky, I wanted to add what a great post this was by the way, one of your best mate.
It is possibly best to ignore the supermario twat who obviously has to post here because no one on Mancs sites will talk to him, BUT I just have to ask him the question: have you actually READ Spooky's excellent and generous piece? And then again another question ...... CAN YOU ACTUALLY READ???????
COYS!!
Prepare for the worst on Friday too...... Chris Foy is in charge of the game at Watford.
Just read your blog spooky, "BRILLIANT". Although painful loosing, at least the lads lost playing great football .
But I have to say, some of The City fans we saw were arrogant and full of it, in which a few spurs fans had to be cautioned by the police, as they were angry due to the piss taking city fans.
Anyway got to Finsbury park to get my connecting train to Potters bar, and saw the glum gooners moaning,that cheared me up a little. COYS
Tottenham are a better side than Man City. They ARE a team. Man C are a bunch of fucking Mercenaries.
The case for the defence:
Canada Yid – obviously not (in the context of the wank Europa League) but if you’re the one telling the “joke” at least try and get it right. If the Spurs fans had the imagination to sing: “Wednesday nights, ITV4” then I would have at least laughed for a second & applauded it rather than the post, post, post ironic “Thursday nights, C5” “jibe”.
TommyHarmer - I agree with you it is an excellent piece and if you would do the courtesy of reading my initial comment I said “some” not all Spurs fans. I’ve enjoyed reading this forum, the few times I’ve stumbled across it via Newsnow, and I’m a believer in free speech and open debate. If it’s not wanted then fine I won’t come back but I think you’ll find that in most of my comments I have dealt in the currency of facts or inferences which have not really been met with valid or mature counter arguments. I repeat the author of this article is first class.
Koko61 – lost playing “great football”? What like the long aimless hoof up the pitch for your first goal? Granted the second goal was aesthetically class from an attacking point of view (not so from a City defensive viewpoint though). However I was amazed by just how many long balls Spurs seemed to be playing (not that the tactic did not eventually work) and how many shots seemed to be from ridiculous distances/angles. I reiterate that Spurs’ 2 best chances were effectively set up by Savic for Defoe’s goal and his agonising miss. Correct me if I’m wrong but did Spurs create another great chance apart from them 2?
Cookiebun – typically flagrant throwaway remark aimed at City (bet it took you ages to think of that). No real wonder why the fans are developing a siege mentality. In response to your childish assertions - If this is how a bunch of “fucking mercenaries” play, playing some of the best football ever witnessed in the EPL & smashing all records before them then I’d really love to see a proper team full of “good honest pros”! Have a word with yourself. Footballers have been mercenaries at the very least since the abolition of the salary cap.
SuperMario, what are you on about long balls. playing a long pass to find a player does not constitute long ball football .
Admittedly yes a few times the defenders hoofed the ball up to clear the danger, but again this is not long ball football.
As to how many shots on goal = 4 . As to how many shots outside the box that went wayward= lots, but it is a fact that last season we scored the most goals in the premier from outside the box, so surely you cant blame spurs for trying. And the main fact in answer to your question, yes we did play good football, as all the pundits said so, so are you saying they are wrong. Why cant you just admit that in our defeat we lost with dignity. You say what you want, but at least some justice has been done with Ballotelli, also my Brothers name is Mario, but an idiot he is not. COYS
supermario - you are never going to see it as you are within your rights as a fan to enjoy it.....but man city isnt a team to the rest of us anymore - any club that can have tevez and adebayor in the scrapheap and not have to sell them but just go and replace with ageuro and nasri isnt in the same world as the rest of us......
if you want straight comparisons then you should be champions league finalists and clear league winners this year...anything else has to be failure...
for us to compete and deserve to at least draw the game is great for spurs and continues our progression there is no need to rock onto this site and try and piss on our fireworks....we are enjoying our club / our style of play (yes you also play nice stuff) -
with regards siege mentality you will need to have one as for sure as most clubs are gonna be jealous of 80m a year of transfer activity..... and mancinis comments re lending spurs some money recently are hardly PR at its best...
Felt sick at the final whistle could have won it should have drawn it but we lost it. But proud of every player in a White shirt should great pride and in the end this happens in football. COYS
Colsey - fair play your post made me laugh.
On the funny news front - Benni does tattoos.....
http://yfrog.com/oemaxznj
I wasn't joking Mario, I was serious. Embrassingly beaten by relative European minnows shows how far you still have to go and I think you would do well to remember that. Just like you have a long way to go before you win the league. You might be favourites but it's not over yet.
Remember that City fan who got the tattoo "Champions League Champions 2009/10" then we broke his dumb little heart by finishing 4th before you? Don't jump the gun like your other deluded supporter did, it could backfire.
Yes, we have played well against a top team and lost narrowly - nothing to be ashamed of. But let us look at our season so far. We had 0 points from our 2 August games, but that was to the two top teams and before we added Parker and Adebayor, so all right. Then we had that amazing run of 31 points out of 11 games, including wins against L and A and games against 9 smaller teams.
But next we have collected just 15 points from 9 matches, only four wins. 7 out of 9 were against the smaller teams, 5 out of 9 matches were at home. On paper this form is just above mid-table, not enough even for a Europa League place. Yes we had some bad luck, some "should have wons" and so on. But one can say we have just paid back to the gods of chance whatever we owed them from that fantastic autumn run.
Out of the next 8 matches coming we have L, A and C away and MU at home. If we do not improve, by then we shall lose our top four position - yes, despite sitting 10 points to the good now.
Yes, we still play well by the standards of past seasons. But some of our top players look tired, not as "sparkling" as before. I wonder where an improvement can come from.
Bottom line: worried.
The loss hurts, no doubt. But there is much to gain. 2-2, chance to win, on the road, at the richest, deepest, best team in the league.
Spurs went up to the Etihad and stood toe to toe, exchanging haymakers with the formerly indomitable Man City.
The old Spurs would have folded at 2-0 down. The new Spurs responded and answered with two quick goals including Bale's magnificent equalizer. That shot, Defoe's pace, Spurs' resiliency clearly rattled Manchester City. For twenty minutes at the Etihad, the balance of power in the premier league shifted.
How do I know Man City was rattled? Notice when Lescott and Balotelli's brutal attacks occurred, at 2-2, while Spurs found a significant weakness with the counterattack, Bale down the left and driven low through balls out of the back to Defoe.
A loss, sure. Spurs are still third place. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal, the three main challengers for Champions League football gained a total of one point on the weekend combined. And by all means, trophies might be nice, but it will be Champions League $$$ that will allow this team to stay together and win trophies in the future.
In my mind (and hopefully the lads) the loss wasn't a cost, but a purchase. It bought enough confidence to certainly finish top 4, if not 3 or 2.