Glory is football
Friday, April 13, 2012 at 8:04PM Top four or silverware? It's a question that always gets asked and once upon a time the latter would have always won the majority vote without a seconds thought because nobody chronicles a top four finish in their history unless they've finished first. But modern football scoffs at such romantic notions that cup finals mean more than a place in the Champions League. I've got to be honest, in terms of sustaining growth and being able to build towards a title challenge many (along with Levy/ENIC) would favour qualification to Europe's elite competition because the fiscal out weighs the white and blue ribbons on a piece of silver. Even though the former will never make great reading in the next version of the Opus.
Lifting a cup is a moment. Perhaps these moments are not as magical as they once were and can not stand the test of time like Ricky Villa has managed to do. But then that's always going to be in the eye of the beholder. The Carling Cup isn't the League Cup but you'd hardly disputed Woodgate's ball-to-head winner.
Going back to Ricky Villa, think about how iconic that moment still is. Along with say Gascoigne's free-kick in the semi-final. Even the '87 Cup final was a majestic occasion, be it a disappointing one. But even though time has changed how we perceive this competition, it still shouldn't be scoffed at. Even though technically speaking when I've prioritised CL over cup silverware I've done just that.
We (football fans) have changed so much that we actually try to validate why finishing 4th or 3rd matters more. Sad really. I've fallen victim to it. I'd still argue about the importance of CL but this close to a final, how can I possible not contradict myself? Those moments; they should be far more important than a league placement. The moments are what make football so great.
I still want CL.
An easier way to deal with this is to just admit that the question isn't relevant. As a supporter you want your side to win every game. That isn't possible. You'll never turn the chance of silverware down but equally understand the importance of being able to compete for the very same silverware (which today means being a top four side). During the Sky Sports dominated Top Four era, nobody (hardly) got a look in, so far apart was the quality and power of the teams qualifying for CL every season. That ilk of superiority might not repeat itself again but thanks to the short term loyalty and stop-gap/stepping stone philosophy of footballers, its sometimes impossible to avoid transition and rebuilding.
Perhaps it's easier to just live for the moments without the crushing pressures of what modern football has defined as the acceptable normality for 'success'.
We spent a long time wondering around aimlessly but we now have stability to aim for consistency and to compete season in and season out. We shouldn't lose sight of that but we should also not be so dismissive of the bread and butter building blocks that made football so special in the first place.
It's a shame we've lost focus in the league. We could have had CL wrapped up by now. Instead we're having to struggle through trying to find the misplaced momentum (it's not behind the sofa). Whether its lack of mental strength, rotation or mismanagement, there should be no need for team talks and inspirational speeches before facing Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.
Sure, we've faltered a few times in the past at this stage. It's been way too long since we last graced a final (for this particular cup). It's this simple: Play with heart, desire and spirit. Wonderfully clichéd but these are the traits that set players and teams apart when the quality is level pegging. There's room for pride and belief in there as well. Although I'm not naive enough to think these traits are not fuelled by the individuals themselves as part of a well drilled and managed collective. Best players in their best positions, best formation and patience and astuteness with tactics.
Football really does look easy on paper. Form on the pitch is where it counts. We don't have much of that at the moment. My hope is we treat the semi-final like a cup final, like any cup game should be treated.
I can not be disparaging against a team that gives it everything. I want them to play the game like I would play it if I was blessed to wear the shirt I love.
Heart on sleeve, Tottenham. And when you're done with this there are five equally important ones in the league.
COYS
Reader Comments (91)
6 actually did you forget the final after we have beaten the Chavs
"Perhaps it's easier to just live for the moments without the crushing pressures of what modern football has defined as the acceptable normality for 'success'." Yes indeed, maybe that's the way. I know that CL qualification is more important for the long-term financial health of the club, but given the choice for me it's the FA Cup. I was there in 1991, my one and only cup final, and have never, ever, experienced anything like it since...
Why is this question being asked in so many places? Has the Redknapp mindset affected the fans to such an extent that with 5 league games and possibly - hopefully- 2 in the cup we no longer believe we have the resources/capabilities to compete in 2 competitions? I don't want to choose. I don't want the players to choose. I want to do both, and I see no reason why we can't do both. Actually, that's a lie. I can see a solitary reason why we can't do both, and his name is Harry. But feck him...we can win the cup and finish top 4 despite the negative-commenting club-disrespecting self-promoting oik. As Spooky has been preaching all season...it's about belief. If the players can find the belief and determination to do it we can do it. Spurs fans ought to remember where we "should be" indeed. This Spurs fan remembers a time when we "should" have been challenging for trophies and "should" have been in the top few places of the league. And I also believe with the players we have at the moment we "should" be capable of winning the FACup and also making next year's CL. Enough of the negativity, and making this choice between silverware and 3rd runner-up in the league is far too negative for my liking. Audere Est Facere for feck's sake. Just man the feck up and dare to do both.
read this, what the hell is redknapp on? LSD,PCP? he is insane, we whare title contenders 3months ago, with the same team we are now not good enough to get 4th. and he goes all the way to get the cup. please levy sack him, it is getting insane.
While Spurs have seen their hold on a Champions League place slip recently due to their poor form in the Premier League, they face a cup semi-final against Chelsea on Sunday at Wembley and Redknapp is confident of a win against the Blues.
"This is a great opportunity for us to go all the way this year," the 65-year-old said.
"On our day we can beat Chelsea. We can beat anyone. There is not a lot between the two teams, but they have the medals to show for it.
"They have been there and done it all in the last few years.
"Tottenham is a club that have won two trophies since 1991 and they were both Carling Cups so it's about time Tottenham won another trophy."
Redknapp also insisted that Spurs will need to strengthen their squad in the summer if they want to challenge for a place in the top four again next season.
"If we want Champions League football again we need to improve the squad again in the summer," he added.
"You have to keep improving because everyone else around us will.
"If you want to start winning championships then you really have to push on and raise the bar because that's the only way you are going to do it.
"You just need to keep adding a little bit of quality to your squad.
"We need to bring one or two top quality players in and make us even better."
Redknapp also believes that Spurs are not suffering in the leage despite slipping into fourth, behind north London rivals, Arsenal and maintains that the club's supporters would be happy with their position if they had arrived there later in the campaign.
"Our form is fantastic," he insisted.
"We had a bad performance against Norwich, but other than that we played very well and just didn't get the results.
"We were in a fantastic position and ended up losing points and Arsenal have been on a great run and picked up win after win and that's what has changed.
"If we'd come from nowhere and suddenly moved into fourth, we'd all be going, 'great'. But I'd have taken this position at the start of the year for sure."
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Football is glory and Tottenham Hotspur are football.
COYS
Oh, do you remember how you felt this day? All your beliefs have once again been proved to false and you are back where you belong. Well not yet but come the end of the season when you can go back to sucking the teat of the Europa League you will be.
http://www.dearmrlevy.com/dml/2012/2/26/someone-let-me-know-when-its-safe-to-log-back-onto-twitter.html
With only two games to play, winning the FA cup would add another important trophy and make Spurs famous worldwide attracting new fans and eventually new investers. Those two games by no means form an obstacle in the effort of the club to achieve a CL place.
I hate myself for saying this but if I have to choose I to for CL. I want us to win the league,more than anything else the league and to do that I feel we need to become an established CL team so would I sacrifice the F A Cup this season to win the league in three or four years time? Hell yeah I would.
Back where we belong people ! 4th in the league and in the semi-final of the FA Cup !
Oh the woes of football, oh the disgrace, the disgrace I tells ya !
The romance of the Cup makes all of us want it but if we want one day of glory or two with the semis and then our team getting dismantled by the press. We need to all take a look whats happening in Football and decide if you still want to be a fan because my Loyalty is being tested to the limit. No not my love for Spurs that is unreserved ,we have players bragging they are going to beat us the Polish Gob at Arsenal and they have not stopped running since the 5-2 Howson they won 2-1 now Buzacky is bragging they are going to win. What is making all these players bragg about beating Spurs there new work rate or 442 4411 345 no two words extra Energy.
My eyes have seen the glory of the cups at White Hart Lane- Fuck Redknapp this is bigger than him
"I was there in 1991, my one and only cup final, and have never, ever, experienced anything like it since... Apr 13, 2012 at 8:44 PM | Archibald Arrows"
So was I. With my two sons, first and last time together at a Spurs game.... awesome!
PS. A Yank girlfriend of mine tagged along too. She'd never been to a game of football before. She was gob-smacked by it all. But boy, did she get into the flow of it!!
@DD...... seconded!
FA Cup.
Every time.
Fuck "modern football"
You write:
"I can not be disparaging against a team that gives it everything. I want them to play the game like I would play it if I was blessed to wear the shirt I love."
Exactly. I just wish the team that wears the shirt I love DID give it everything. That's what's been so disparaging about the most recent results.
For some reason Liverpool going to the final makes this easy for me. If a team that sh*t can go the final, the cup has become somewhat meaningless. Give me CL.
I don't mind being in 4th, however given how the wheels of our wagon have been falling off, can we see ourselves off to the end? Whatever else is to come from knap's mouth surely will not sound good. I wish he'd really learn to shut the facup. Apparently we'll be losing either Modders or Bale if we don't qualify, or so I've been hearing. Not totally unbelievable right now. Anyway ideally, like any of you lot, I'd like us to get both but I suspect I care more for CL than fa cup. Cl once providing we get rid of knappy rash and get a top manager that can attract top players. I live in fantasy land though, so who knows.
Difficult one really.... Players will always come and go, but winning a trophy becomes part of a club's history and statistics.
Right now, in his current capacity as a floating midfielder, I'm not sure I'd be sad to lose Bale to a club abroad. As a winger though I'd be disappointed if he left.
I am Spartacus. Surely Spurs and Arry are a perfect match, Harry has 1 FA cup to his name in 29 years of management. Spurs have 1 FA cup to their name in the last 29 years. Its just that Harry's win was a lot more recent than yours. Maybe he is the one that is getting sick of Spurs dragging him down rather than the other way around? They say misery loves company, with spurs and Harry it's clear sh*t loves company.
Here's one to think about. No CL football next season. We can't balance the books because of the £30-40 mill shortfall and the new UEFA financial rules. So what do we do, yes, we have to sell one of our best players to ensure we are financially compliant.
So now, what do you choose, FA cup with £1 million payback, or CL with £30-40 mill???
It's a no brainier!!!
Get real and think long term!!!!
i'd hate to do acid with arry
Would quite happily take a defeat at Wembley this week in order to inspire a run of maximum points until the end of the season thus ensuring Champions League football next year (ala 09/10). It sounds dirty to trade a trophy for a top 4 finish but can fellow yids really argue that basking in the glory of defeating Cheltenham, Watford and Stevenage is better than the still chest swelling pride of destroying Bremen, Twente, Inter and Milan last year?
Win both. I don't even know why you all keep talking about this. I'm a relatively new yiddo (I was born a little over two years ago), but as someone who lives in the vacuum of your shared history, there is no reason why this team can't beat beat Chelsea (Bale 16, VDV 67) and then take care of business in the league.
But one step at a time--I will wake up singing tomorrow. COYS.
Winning anything at the moment would be great.
The next game would do for a start, whatever it is and wherever it leads.
Champions' league for me but we don't have to make a choice.
There is no trade off system at work.
Ironically the CL game that Chelsea have this week might just distract them.
At least we don't have that problem.
But hopefully we will next season.
Cannot muster the enthusiasm to watch or listen to this game. so went out and have just come in on half time to hear
Spurs have had the better of the play, but Chelsea lead one nil.And they have just scored a second..............It was in the
script, 'arry gives Chelsea and nephew Frank too much respect and none of it helped by poor refereeing. Going to have to go out again, but like the Spurs players, I have primed myself for defeat.........
How did u guys bottle it up this much?...advice for next season tell your players and coach to focus on their race and leave the arsenal alone!...Leave the banter and the war of words to the fans!...arsenal players are just way classier than their spurs counterparts reasons why they always do the talking on the field, not in the media. Remember that!
COYG
What has happened today is good for football, For all their money Spurs have a shocking fan base. We all know what the riots cost us and where they started. It wouldn't have been right for them to have a glory day. There won't be one in the FA cup, and there certainly won't be on come the end of the season when they finish 5th/6th. A good day.
now 4-1-a season that promised much, is now becoming hugely embarassing...............we simply do not
have the mindset to beat the 'top 4'. Cannot wait for the cliched quotes from rent a mouth........
little little spuds , thrown out of fa cup, soon will be out of top 4 and then 1 or 2 decent players they have will also leave , but all they would be left with will be arsenal's shadow , ha ha ha ha ha...
now 4-1-a season that promised much, is now becoming hugely embarassing...............we simply do not
have the mindset to beat the 'top 4'. Cannot wait for the cliched quotes from rent a mouth........
hey assmouth spooky where r u now ?? want to write more big big articles regarding arsenal ha ha ha u r the leader of all the mughead spuds ...
5-1 , 5-1 , 5-1 , 5-1 ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ah ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha tiny totts ha ha ha ha ha ha ha omg ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...
vander farrrrt said " we are now as gud as arsenal" got thrased 5-2 , bale said " we are better than chelsea " got pumped 5-1 ha ha ha ha not only spurs fans even their players r delusional , ha ha ha ha ha ha
No doubt we will be forced to listen to Spurs cry about the second goal, conveniently ignoring the fact they only scored 1 and conceded 4 more. If they had any pride they would hold their hands up to just being slaughtered without looking for excuses. So, 5 games left. My expert prediction is them collecting 6 points.
'Pumped', brilliant.
No way should the present manager be offered a new contract after this fiasco. By my rough calculations based on memory,
the 4 clubs that will finish in the top 4 this season, will have put 33 goals past Spurs in all competitions. Shocking form...
Simply no belief.
Has anyone got any heroin? Thank God my life's so fucking ace. LOL BAAAAAARMAAAAAAN!
well,well,well. can the spurs fan that told me to calm down some time ago, because we could well winn against norwich and chelsea. well 1-2 against norwich and 5-1 against chelsea? now to the spurs fan, who do this season look now? i said that this could happend, and lord and behold!!!!! we have just loost to chelsea 5-1, enyone up for keeping redcrapp?? it is his players out there, his job to motivate them, and he should tell them what to do, he does neither. the arsenal fans in here have every right to make fun of spurs, big mouthed fuckers, we are better than this and that. it is embarresing what it is, and to bale, are we better than chelsea?? no fucking way, and redcrapp dont do anything, oh wait we got nelson and saha, and they are a strenght to this team? they are on the bench. spurs with that idiot redcrapp, will never get forth, sack the hell out of him, and get my 7th year dead grandmother to take charge, bet she would still have a better idea what to do than this idiot. if spurs are giving him a new contract it is a proof of no iq in the board room. levy wake the fuck up, and get ridd of this clown, cant you see what he is doing??? congrats to chelsea they where so mutch better that it is byond belive. but redcrapp has been given this team, and replaced some that where ther with his own, and tell me, anyone think we are still improving?? no way, this is as it gets under redcrapp. the history repete itself again. kick redfuck out, and do not let him sit out the season, let clive allen do that. he cant bottle it up mutch worse than redcrapp. and it is just redcrapps fault, it is he who has got in gallas,nelson and they are not fast, and gallas do alot of mistakes. AWB didnt have this bad a period before he got sacked, and it has helped chelsea, they are in a fa-cup final(you know 5-1 over spurs??), but redcrapp should be untucheble because the media like him?? GET HIM OUT NOW!!!!!!!!
Arsehole4ever!!!
Any manager who decides to play a goalkeeper who has had 2 games all season in the semi final of the FA cup must really have his head tested.
The way he glided down the tunnel as the ref blew the final whistle shows me what type of a person he really is!
I hope he reads this! You are a clueless, gutless, selfish bastard who has no tactical clue about the game. You preserved yourself to this day for England job. What goes around comes around and so I hope that you are fired and that England appoint a manager with some knowledge of the game, because you Arry, HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE.
You see, what goes around comes around, what will you be known for when you leave our club, maybe not 8 games - 2 points BUT a manager who was 10 points ahead with 8 games to go, manager in the semi final, and who managed to blow the lot!!
What will you do as England manager when you face teams like Germany, Holland and Spain who change formation and tactics every 20 minutes - you know what you and the FA deserve each other and I wish you a happy and long marriage.
But the problem is, he will now turn down England because there is a serious chance that he will not be offered the job!! I hope Levy has the balls to sack him at the end of the season and he is left having to manage Someone like Portmouth again-because that's about his level!!
Blue is the colour!!........
This is all so much sweeter after the Arsenal baiting post! Reaping what you sow, eh Spook?
Wait, did Spurs play today?
Dear broken children of tottenham;
Please do not break down like our neighbours across the road. keep faith in arry...ARRY KNOWS!!!
Did Arsenal win the FA Cup today? No? They've won something though haven't they? I mean they must have won something because they're goading and gloating and celebrating a Spurs loss in the semi-final of the cup.
Perhaps last season?
No?
Season before that?
Okay.
Season before the season before?
Hmm.
There's a trend forming here. Bit tricky to work it out mind...
Can any of the cunts that support ars*nal remind me when last they saw anything remotely resembling silverware? No? Good.
This is all so much sweeter after the Arsenal baiting post! Reaping what you sow, eh Spook?
Apr 15, 2012 at 8:56 PM | Brilliant
Hardly mate. Did you not read the article? It's timeless and is relevant no matter what. Bell me your email, I'll send you the audio version. Should be easier to understand. I've got Justin Fletcher providing the commentary on it.
I can see a binary pattern would be tricky for a spud to work out
Bimspur, let them bring it. They continue to validate everything I've said. They have become the very same 'supporters' we've been accused of being in the past 10 years. They probably miss the days they avoided Spurs blogs altogether and 'bantered' with Man Utd instead. Bless.
@NYC yid... you missed it too...