The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow
Spurs win and everything is once again alright in the world. Well, that's until the next game plays out and if we don't win, then it's going to be hellish.
Who am I kidding? It's hellish regardless of the result. The constant micro-criticisms and the magnified and intensified agendas across old media and social networks means we are in a constant echo chamber of repeated soundbites. But do not fret. I'm not going to buckle under the pressure and once more put pen to paper and scribble another epic dissertation on why it's important to be patient and sacrifice a bit of style for substance. Not today.
Today, I celebrate everything that's good about THFC. What's this you say? Positivity? You 'aving a larf with us Spook m8? No, no I'm not. See, expectancy and the pressure it brings tends to dampen the mood in the moment. We often look too far ahead or seek finality in the present and forget that, well, things aren't too bad. Not really. Let's chat casually amongst ourselves about it...
We're in a League Cup final
You know how we berate the lack of success we've had (playing swaggering swarming football during the Poch era) and that we have to consolidate all our hard graft with some ribbons tied to a bit silverware? Well, we've got the opportunity to do so. A formidable task in fact, against the unbeatables Manchester City. This is why Jose Mourinho was appointed, after all. To win us cups. To get that irritable monkey off our back; the super-glued little git. We're in the final and although we've had to park it up in our minds eye until late April - this should not be dismissed and understated.
Some fans are sort of dismissing it already. We all are guilty of stating the League Cup doesn't mean that much. It's an afterthought. And yet, it's good enough for City and others to get hold of. Yes, I agree, it means little compared to say qualification for the Champions League or competing for the title. But it's still THE MONKEY ON OUR BACK. We're 90 minutes or so away from finally ridding it the little sonofabitch.
Kane and Son
One of my favourite things to hear is fans telling me that 'Son and Kane are carrying this team - if it wasn't for them, Mourinho would be in big trouble'.
Mate. Seriously.
Look, if it wasn't for Mourinho, the two free-scoring, assisting marvels would not be as dynamically clinical as they've been. Their form, the style of football we play to give them the momentum to ruthlessly destroy opposition defences is happening because OF THE STYLE AND SYSTEM. I'm not going to apologise for the the caps lock usage here.
There is no doubt that both players are world class and will score in any version of a Tottenham team but there is also little doubt that their combining brilliance is at a super peak level because of the game management and emphasis on the counter-attack. That and the evolution of Kane, dropping deep to create and play in the runners.
We have ourselves a record breaking partnership. Like assassins, it doesn't matter how they get into the position to execute a stealth kill. All that matters is the bodies left in their wake and I absolutely approve of the serial killers murdering.
Still in with a shout
It's mad when you look at how tight the table is right now. A few wins and everything flips. Obviously, you (and pundits) will look at the likes of Man City and Man Utd in terms of recent form and points accumulation. Some have games in hand too. Our form has been inconsistent and wasteful because of the late goals conceded. It's damaging to our campaign, no doubt. But the past is gone and can't be altered. But we can learn from it. We have to if we wish to correct the mistakes and not repeat them.
Spurs have a huge fixture list incoming. We play Liverpool, Brighton, Chelsea, WBA and Manchester City in the Prem. This is the defining moment and what excites me is, that for all the passive play we produce (regardless of whether it's instructed or not) and then conceding those late goals against the smaller sides - we can often get it right against the big teams.
Yeah, sure, we conceded late at Anfield. But we've adapted very well in the other top clashes this season. We need a repeat showing in the weeks ahead, because this often maligned team might just find a way to get right back into the mix of things once more. Even if we're there already and mostly ignored because of our recent run of form.
For once, I don't mind us chasing because almost everyone up there is 'putting the pressure on' everyone else. This season is weird. Don't question it, don't even attempt to understand it. Just believe something might happen for us until it's nigh impossible for it to happen. After all, that's what fuels the desire to achieve. Belief and well, not dropping points cheaply.
Tanguy
This guy man, this guy. His passing range, his vision and invention...THAT finish against Sheffield United. The fact he's finishing 90 minute games now and perhaps the fact that Mourinho is allowing a little more expression from his players, be it indirectly. I'll explain. Ndombele played deep and played beautifully well. He can float with the ball and look ahead to create passages of play for forward targets. He can take it forward himself, dribbles and take-ons and killer passes. He's in a more disciplined position but one which allows him to be expansive, purely because it can maximise his moment to moment momentum.
He might be instructed to sit deep but it gives structure to our midfield, more so than in some recent games where collectively, we've struggled to retain shape. He's such a majestic footballer and he's slowly but surely finding that groove to constantly influence proceedings. His inner-Modric is strong. His goal was instinctive genius and yet I still believe he's scratching the surface of his ability.
Build the team around him, he's not only worth the money we spent to get him - he can elevate the value of his teammates by virtue of the benchmark he sets. He has also displayed strengths in his character, to come back from the lows he suffered last season.
It might be constantly raining in the world of Spurs but the sun still shines. So follow the rainbow you miserable bastards and you might just find that pot of gold.
See? It ain't that difficult to find positives in amongst this 'worst ever title challenging Spurs side'. It ain't all bad.
I guess you're going to ask me to write an accompanying article detailing the things that are very wrong about THFC? Damn you.
COYS
