- Aug 20, 2013
- 9,188
- 14,102
It wasn't quite that simple. When we get a chant or song going, it's impressively deafening and very intense, because of the stadium design. We came out with our ears buzzing and that only used to be so for major derbies or cup matches.
From the start of the match, the support was vocal and consistent. After Villa scored, it took awhile, as usual, to get the intensity back. The middle of the match, either side of half time, was quiet, but that was partly because we were behind, being frustrated, but it wasn't late enough to see where the match was going. The atmosphere in the East Upper, where we sit, wasn't negative or toxic, it was more studious and suspenseful. We were all watching the team basically batter Villa and wondering if and how long they could hold out.
The football was good, especially after half time, but between about 30 minutes and about 65 minutes,there was an increasing sense that we were banging on a very secure door and were unlikely to break it down. After 65 minutes, Villa started tiring visibly, gaps appeared and the match consisted of unrelenting Spurs pressure around the Villa box. It looked like a matter of time and the noise and support ratcheted up accordingly.
Then Ndombele scored and the suspense was released. From that point until the final whistle, the support was loud and intense again.
Well this sounds more positive than some reports I'd been getting.
We need NHWL to become the fortress it was in its last season. And the crest of the wave that took us so far in our first CL run back in 11.
Last year the CL games were intense but there was so much at stake the atmosphere was, unsurprisingly, tense. It's weird because the atmosphere in the bars and restaurants before kick off is always incredible. Then it's like we can't enjoy ourselves while the football is being played