Last minute wonder goal from Gallas, uncharacteristic error from Gerrard.
If we could magically erase these two one offs’, then Spurs would still be five points ahead of Arsenal. Magic indeed.
So, as a counterpoint to all the negativity, despair and entirely foreseeable angst (we are Spurs supporters after all), here’s a nod to Ian Dury and Reasons To Be Cheerful, Part 3. Bear in mind that I don’t always think like this myself, so in brackets I’ve played Mr. Negative. The point being, WE DON’T KNOW THE FUTURE (just as many wouldn’t have predicted the current state of affairs).
We are fourth, and despite criticisms, deserve to be. Yes, there are some hard games ahead. You can’t tell me that there haven’t been any so far. We are still on target for 64 or so points, enough in the last two seasons to finish fourth. Enough in previous seasons to finish at least 5th or 6th and enter the UEFA Cup. [Obvious criticism: If we couldn’t win enough points recently against weaker teams, how can we against better sides and away from home?].
Arsenal are currently two points behind us. That was the gap quite recently, wasn’t it? Didn’t it expand to five points soon after? [Obvious criticism: They’re coming into form, we are not in form; they have the easier games].
Arsenal still have the distraction of Europe and may trip up. Yes, they’re getting better again, but they’ve only won two league games since early February. That’s not yet a dynamic sequence, is it? [Obvious criticism: It’s the Arsenal! Run away! (Or Bolton and Blackburn!(?)].
Many commentators were still seeing this season as transitional for Spurs, but for nearly all the season the bookies have had Spurs to finish 5th. They still do. [Obvious criticism: Bookies are fickle and keep changing their minds (does that sound familiar?)].
Two seasons ago when Arsenal won the title undefeated (currently only 22 month ago), Spurs had precisely half of Arsenal’s 90 points and finished 14th. We’re currently 10 places higher in less than 2 years. At that rate we’d be playing matches atop Mt Everest. [Obvious criticism: Playing matches at the summit of Mt Everest would require at least 33 substitutes and the game would probably be called off; Arsenal aren’t anything like as good as two seasons ago].
We are young (well, the team is anyway) and it can only get better. Assuming that the team doesn’t fall apart over the summer (Carrick to United, King to Chelsea/Liverpool/The Arse, Davids to the knackers yard), we are on the up and have a lot to look forward to. Perfection, however, isn’t one of those things. [Obvious criticism: But I don¹t want to wait three or four years (heavily disguised tantrum!)].
Finally, when all else fails, and assuming that Spurs fail to meet our expectations, let’s not forget that there are currently 88 other English teams who would love to swap positions with us. There are only three who wouldn’t. That’s 96.75% of English clubs that would prefer to be where we are right now. [Obvious criticism: That statistic will probably change quite soon]. Even if Spurs finish 6th, that¹s still a desirable 93.7% who’d swap with us. If we were talking annual personal incomes we’d all be extremely happy.
So even if this season ends us promising more than it finally delivers, let’s maintain an even perspective. Things are improving and at quite a rate. We know this to be true. If nothing else, we’ve put the frighteners on the Arse, loathe though they are to admit it. Long may it continue. I believe it will, with a few hiccups along the way. [Obvious criticism: It won’t!].
The choice is ours, optimism, pessimism or just plain philosophical.
By Hotspur61
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