Good morning.
We’re four days away from knowing what the entire season was all about. Of course, there are those that will step lively to remind me that we already have a good idea, as we’ve finished above the Blue Racists for the first time since 1896 1996.
For better of worse the game has changed. The Champions League has devalued everything that neighbours it. Dalglish took Liverpool to two Wembly finals and won a pot; yet anyone impressed by this is treated like someone who points at aeroplanes. It’s Champions League or bust.
This season Spurs fans found themselves doing a constant series of double takes as their beloved Lilywhites kept ‘inexplicably’ being mentioned as a top four side. Being referred to as that fixture that ‘wouldn’t be easy’. And now, same as it ever was, we’re down to the wire. Champions League or bust.
Martin Jol. Cuddly, square bonced, John Player Special chomping, husky, musky big Martin Jol. A man for all track suits, a tracksuit for all seasons.
Much will be made over the return of the ex. But the reality is this is only a factor alive in our minds and maybe Martin’s. There have been to put it mildly, extensive changes in personnel since the Dutch Napoleon and Clipboard Chris were fired out of a cannon over the West Stand and out of the stadium that dark stormy night.
So with the ‘mystique and intrigue’ stripped away, let’s examine some actual facts. What cannot speak cannot lie so let’s first look at form points from both team’s last six games and goal difference home for us and away for them…for the whole season.
Fulham’s last 6 away games have earned them 9 points. For the whole season an away goal difference of -6.
Our last 6 home games have earned us +10 points. For the whole season a home goal difference of +20.
The purpose of these figures is to remove from the equation the ‘Arry Factor’. All our numbers were generated – love or hate him – with him at the helm. With Bale chasing his dream down the middle and with Kyle making largely pointless 200m dashes into opposition corner flags. All that jazz.
So we can do it. If we can resist the urge to say, ‘well, yeah, but he’ll make a bollix of it!’ this takes all of that angst into consideration. Despite all the bad stuff we can still very much do it.
What we might actually do with Champions League football when we catch it – I’ve made the analogy of us being a dog chasing a car only about twenty seven times now – is anyone’s guess. But achieving it is vital.
Those who want to point to the past are doing just that. You’re pointing to out of date information. If an email goes missing, you don’t say, ‘ah yes, but when my great great grandfather was a lad a telegram took three weeks to get from Mitchum to Margate!’ You throw a fit because times have thankfully move on.
Nobody cares that this is the best Tottenham season anyone over the age of 83 has ever witnessed. Trust me, nobody cares. It’s the 21st century and we’ve some real talent on the books.
BIOYC!
I want Bayern to win no matter what. Chelsea have been rubbish this year and dont deserve a CL win the way they have played most of the season. I feel dirty saying this, but if we finish 3rd, i think I would prefer Bayern to win and Arsenal qualify for the CL. At least Arsenal are run the right way and try to play football – unlike Chelsea who are crass and classless, plus their football recently seems to extend as far as punt it up to Drogba for him to steamroller defenders – very Wimbledon for a team with such players.
Obviously the best ourcome would be Chelsea lose in the CL, Arsenal lose to WBA, Newcastle and Spurs win – meaning they finish 3rd/4th and no CL for either of the other London clubs.
Bit off topic.. Is there a real timetable for the new stadium ?
no. but here’s a made up one!
Supermarket starts this autumn (2012) take about 1 year to build.
Stadium starts next year, 2013, will take 2 years to be operational when WHL is demolished and the final third of the new stadium is completed – 2016/17 season.
So basically 3 years left in WHL. 1 year in the new partially complete stadium, all moved in and cosy in 4 years time.
This assumes we can get some funding sorted. CL income will help make us look like an attractive investment to the stadium Sponsors who will be expected to pay more than half the build costs.
Thank you.Christ on a bike I am going to have to look after myself then.
A £15 bike.
Cheering on Bayern is a given.
UEFA will rejoice that one of their most hated clubs will be out of next year’s compo.
They’ll have to break the fair league rules to get back in if they miss out on £40m next year!
I seriously don’t understand why anybody would want to see Chelsea beat Bayern next Saturday. If Chelsea win they would be champions of Europe.
Just think about that for a second.
Chelsea.
Champions of Europe.
It’s bad enough having Shitty as champions of England, but having Chelsea lift the Champions League trophy is just too ghastly to contemplate.
When you say “anyone”, I believe that nobady except Chelscum fans wants to see them win.
Terry has ensured that they are the most reviled team in the country.
“Anybody”
:whistle:
I’m sure a few gooners will wear blue if we finish 4th.
Two teams and a one off game. Good luck to whoever wins, we should not have been even worried about the out come, had we had a coach who was interested in Spurs
Having the blue scum champions of Europe is a bit like having a feckless, self centred toad managing the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.
You can do one now, Luka.
Yes, it’s a bit like the school bully winning “pupil of the year for outstanding contributions to harmony in the classroom”.
So with all the scenarios played out on here we now know what is really going to happen, we will lose, Ar5eana1 will draw and the bar codes will win and Bayern will teach the chavs a lesson in Football but still lose to a Drogba goal…..We are Spurs after all….. :-(
BONSYC
Bayern have previous form. In 1999 they hit the woodwork, outplayed the Mancs and allowed Olly and Teddy to bury them in added time.
Cheatski have a serious horseshoe stuck up their arse this weather.