- Oct 1, 2003
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- #1
Just got to my hotel in Mancs.
I'd like to say a huge thanks to the Spurs fans who made the trip. It's not easy midweek (only my second away match all Season - I managed to fix a business trip). I felt our contingent helped lift the players, especially first half when City put pressure on. Singing and atmosphere last 20 minutes were awesome.
Secondly to Levy, Harry, but not forgetting the whole management team and coaching staff. This Season has been the culmination of running a football club sensibly for a number of years, and Levy has learned the other bits, to go with his financial and negotiating nous. Credit and thanks to him. The mentality change is not just on the pitch; it's top down and bottom up, running through the club, squad, youth and staff. Harry may not be Mourinho tactically but he's got compensating strengths.
It's sad that probably one or two players celebrating tonight will leave this Summer, and a few new faces will come in. But we don't need some frantic Spurs overhaul this year, gagging for celebrity signings to distract the fans from our underachievement. Many of this squad merit CL football, and can potentially hold their own with most of Europe.
Personally I feel the most important thing next year is to come top 4 again, to qualify twice in a row, ideally top 3 in the PL this time.
Tonight King was immense but I expected no less. The whole defence is now a serious unit and credit to Younes Kaboul, who is showing great attitude and no little skill. Frankly our front 6 weren't special for much of the game: Lennon rusty, Modric uninspired, Bale and Hudd got tired, Defoe out of touch. Only Crouchy was near the top of his game. But this Spurs team is learning to put in solid performances and - like the West Indian cricket team of the 80s - to rely on somebody to do something special. One week it's Bale, the next Hudd, etc. And credit to Bassong, Palacios, Bentley, Niko, Pav, Eidur, Jenas. And not forgetting young Danny ! We have Parrett, Bostock and other great kids coming through.
I've supported Spurs since 1961 (I was 5). I saw the 62 Charity Shield, the 67 Cup Final, the 84 Eufa Cup, 91 Semi-Final and some other great moments. I've lived through 2 decades of rubbish and false dawns, lightened by the odd Carling Cup moment.
Tonight is special. As Churchill might say of our journey back to where this great club belongs, this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is the end of the beginning !
(Posted without minesadouble's permission - Geez)
I'd like to say a huge thanks to the Spurs fans who made the trip. It's not easy midweek (only my second away match all Season - I managed to fix a business trip). I felt our contingent helped lift the players, especially first half when City put pressure on. Singing and atmosphere last 20 minutes were awesome.
Secondly to Levy, Harry, but not forgetting the whole management team and coaching staff. This Season has been the culmination of running a football club sensibly for a number of years, and Levy has learned the other bits, to go with his financial and negotiating nous. Credit and thanks to him. The mentality change is not just on the pitch; it's top down and bottom up, running through the club, squad, youth and staff. Harry may not be Mourinho tactically but he's got compensating strengths.
It's sad that probably one or two players celebrating tonight will leave this Summer, and a few new faces will come in. But we don't need some frantic Spurs overhaul this year, gagging for celebrity signings to distract the fans from our underachievement. Many of this squad merit CL football, and can potentially hold their own with most of Europe.
Personally I feel the most important thing next year is to come top 4 again, to qualify twice in a row, ideally top 3 in the PL this time.
Tonight King was immense but I expected no less. The whole defence is now a serious unit and credit to Younes Kaboul, who is showing great attitude and no little skill. Frankly our front 6 weren't special for much of the game: Lennon rusty, Modric uninspired, Bale and Hudd got tired, Defoe out of touch. Only Crouchy was near the top of his game. But this Spurs team is learning to put in solid performances and - like the West Indian cricket team of the 80s - to rely on somebody to do something special. One week it's Bale, the next Hudd, etc. And credit to Bassong, Palacios, Bentley, Niko, Pav, Eidur, Jenas. And not forgetting young Danny ! We have Parrett, Bostock and other great kids coming through.
I've supported Spurs since 1961 (I was 5). I saw the 62 Charity Shield, the 67 Cup Final, the 84 Eufa Cup, 91 Semi-Final and some other great moments. I've lived through 2 decades of rubbish and false dawns, lightened by the odd Carling Cup moment.
Tonight is special. As Churchill might say of our journey back to where this great club belongs, this is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end.
But it is the end of the beginning !
(Posted without minesadouble's permission - Geez)