This is an an attribute the top four possess which actively assists in giving them that psychological edge, and something which Spurs need to strive to attain if we are to hold out any hopes of joining the party.
The very words ‘top four’ strike a subtle but immediate blow inside the minds of the opposition before a ball is even kicked.Most opponents are at a disadvantage straight away because players of the so called ‘lesser’ teams, even though they are professionals and may make the conscious effort to put it to the back of their minds, will be unable to avoid thinking sub-consciously that they are not really expected to win, and therefore there is no pressure on them if they do not, provided they avoid the humiliation of a comprehensive beating.
We all relate to the same teams:- Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal whenever those two little words ‘top four’ are uttered.Our train of thought almost unquestionably accepts that those are the teams we refer to in that context, as if they hold the divine right to always be a permanent part of that elite group.
How many times have these teams even though playing well below par managed a win or to scrape a draw through the blessing of a last attack late goal deep into extra time?It almost has an air of inevitability about it like the opposition expect it to happen and therefore it logically does.
However, encouragingly, Spurs are one of the few teams who are beginning to buck that trend by holding their own in games against these sides, and indeed we are starting to take our share of points from these fixtures if last season’s results are anything to be judged by.
Our home record last season under Harry(after the first eight games!)was as impressive as anybody’s with us losing just the once to a useful Everton side.
Where we are at our weakest is on the road where we have been prone to expose a soft underbelly against those who play purely bread and butter football – newly promoted teams and those located up Noorf such as your Blackburns, Boltons, and Wigans.It again has to come down to mental attitude and the need for a willingness to mix it with the powerhouse players on those cold, windy, rain-sodden dark days in unfamiliar territory.
With Harry’s shrewd dealings in the transfer market in this window and the last, we now have a strong squad with excellent cover in many positions which gives him the luxury of options in personnel and the way we play.
When everyone is fit we can furnish two excellent goalkeepers, a fine back four, steel, creativity and attacking threat in midfield, and four international class strikers to choose from up front.TV and radio pundits bigging us up may help put seeds of doubt into the minds of opposing players, but their words of praise can just as easily be detrimental by bringing undue pressure to bear on the team.
If the first two games of the season are anything to go by we look to be on form and playing with an easy confidence.Teams, no matter who they are, will not relish playing us, and I am sure our next opponents West Ham will be thinking along those lines even though they may be at home.
Although it cannot be claimed to be a true mark of where we both are, we have already beaten them in the Asia Cup in pre-season and this will surely be a factor that will pray on their minds.
If we can continue to pray on the minds of our opponents this season by virtue of our performances on the pitch, then we may find ourselves some way along that road to building a fear factor of our own in the minds of those footballers who are due to line up against us in the near future.
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