- Oct 25, 2004
- 7,059
- 10,242
Thinking back over the past 4 or 5 years of relative success, certainly our most sustained period of success in a generation, I see a number of landmark moments, games that on reflection have been significant in terms of our development.
I think back to the first time we beat Chelsea. What a game that was, Dawson and then Lennon. That tackle from Ledley. Robben hitting the post late on. The euphoria we all felt when the final whistle went, we had finally done it. As a club, we all began to believe, the fans, the manager, the players and even the media. Spurs could win big games. Yet there was still a lingering doubt, spurs will always let you down.......
Then there was the victory in the Carling cup final. We played well and deserved to win. But it was only the Carling Cup, could we do it in a really big game?
So we beat Chelsea at home again. Yeh but what did it really mean? It was certainly a bigger deal to us than it was to them. It was just 3 points dropped for them, they would move on to the next match while we would bring out a dvd!
On to last season, I honestly believe that although we were consistent throughout the season, that something happened in those magical 4 days in April when against all the odds we bounced back from the defeat against Portsmouth to deservedly beat Chelsea and Arsenal. We looked like a decent side, we looked like a team that could see out a game. But more importantly, we won when we really had to, when the points meant as much to them as it did to us.
We did it again at the City of Manchester stadium, the pressure was on, everything was at stake, yet we produced a masterful and dominant performance that in the end was comfortable.
Finally we had come of age, not just in one off games but across an entire season. We could do it when it mattered. We were good enough.
We've gone on to build from those victories. We took the CL by storm, we're even better in the league. Every time we are down, under pressure, we produce. Have you noticed that just when you think we are going to buckle, that the pressure is too much, the injury list too great, that this team comes back better and stronger. Is it any surprise that we are the comeback kings? Had the game in Milan against Inter been 10 minutes longer, who would bet against us winning? Not many.
So what will the AC game mean long after the dust has settled?
For me I saw a very different team. This wasn't the swashbuckling, rampaging team of pace and power. This was a mature, patient, sophisticated team that wasn't fazed by the occasion. Just another big game to go and win. Another scalp to claim. It was a performance where we had to show so many qualities as it ebbed and flowed, but at no point were we in disarray. At no point did we look like we didn't belong.
I think we will look back at that game and think; that is when it happened. That is when we became a proper team. A team that can really produce on the big occasion.
Yet, one more thing remains. The holy grail that constantly eludes us, that the gods conspire to keep from our grasp, always over the next hill or around the next corner. Can we finally beat Manchester bloody utd?
When we do, we'll win the league!
I think back to the first time we beat Chelsea. What a game that was, Dawson and then Lennon. That tackle from Ledley. Robben hitting the post late on. The euphoria we all felt when the final whistle went, we had finally done it. As a club, we all began to believe, the fans, the manager, the players and even the media. Spurs could win big games. Yet there was still a lingering doubt, spurs will always let you down.......
Then there was the victory in the Carling cup final. We played well and deserved to win. But it was only the Carling Cup, could we do it in a really big game?
So we beat Chelsea at home again. Yeh but what did it really mean? It was certainly a bigger deal to us than it was to them. It was just 3 points dropped for them, they would move on to the next match while we would bring out a dvd!
On to last season, I honestly believe that although we were consistent throughout the season, that something happened in those magical 4 days in April when against all the odds we bounced back from the defeat against Portsmouth to deservedly beat Chelsea and Arsenal. We looked like a decent side, we looked like a team that could see out a game. But more importantly, we won when we really had to, when the points meant as much to them as it did to us.
We did it again at the City of Manchester stadium, the pressure was on, everything was at stake, yet we produced a masterful and dominant performance that in the end was comfortable.
Finally we had come of age, not just in one off games but across an entire season. We could do it when it mattered. We were good enough.
We've gone on to build from those victories. We took the CL by storm, we're even better in the league. Every time we are down, under pressure, we produce. Have you noticed that just when you think we are going to buckle, that the pressure is too much, the injury list too great, that this team comes back better and stronger. Is it any surprise that we are the comeback kings? Had the game in Milan against Inter been 10 minutes longer, who would bet against us winning? Not many.
So what will the AC game mean long after the dust has settled?
For me I saw a very different team. This wasn't the swashbuckling, rampaging team of pace and power. This was a mature, patient, sophisticated team that wasn't fazed by the occasion. Just another big game to go and win. Another scalp to claim. It was a performance where we had to show so many qualities as it ebbed and flowed, but at no point were we in disarray. At no point did we look like we didn't belong.
I think we will look back at that game and think; that is when it happened. That is when we became a proper team. A team that can really produce on the big occasion.
Yet, one more thing remains. The holy grail that constantly eludes us, that the gods conspire to keep from our grasp, always over the next hill or around the next corner. Can we finally beat Manchester bloody utd?
When we do, we'll win the league!