I Dreamed a Dream
Good news to you pessimists who still think we might be relegated – we won’t be! It’s been a successful season, after the worst start ever and, as before, anything more than survival will be a bonus.
Oh, by the way JohnnyB, where is the Bagel? He’s there, but he doesn’t say much these days.
The win against Newcastle was good – again, a bit close at the end.
Two things went wrong yesterday – well more than two really? First, the bookies had us as favourites for 7th spot – I think we’ve eased out a bit, but it’s still possible. Then poor Jermaine’s sad news – it had to happen yesterday, didn’t it. Then, I can’t ever remember being in that position at half time, or at any stage in a match, there? Of course, bring your own referee – you usually do. Not the whole story, but there’s often a helping hand for reasons not known. Yesterday, I wasn’t going to discuss this. Just finally, another point – did that ball cross the line or not – yes, I think Pedro Mendes’ shot just crossed the line. Which was ‘The Damned United’ – I know which one I think it was.
Now, we put that behind us. Four matches to go – let’s see what we can do?
COYS.
The Platzel.
April 27th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Well Beefbagel faithful - what a match that was! we certainly played our part in what is panning out to be one of the most exciting seasons ever in English football !
I managed to get a couple of tickets to Old Trafford courtesy of a Mancunian great uncle-in-law I am suddenly great mates with! I was sat right next to the press box (spitting distance from some tabloid journos and then on the other side sat Sir Bobby, our Mr Levy and further back, Giggsy, Ji-Sung et al in the Directors Box) - surrounded by die-hard 50-60 something, busby-babe replica shirt wearing, teddy-boy side-burn sporting, jean and jacket garbed mancs.
Incredible atmosphere and I wasn’t that far from the Yid Army - who were all simply magnificent from start to finish.
We really mixed it with Man U from the off - getting quickly into our stride, as if it was a continuation straight from Wembley. Tactically we had a strong team out there - particularly with Jenas and Wilson overpowering the lightweight Carrick and Fletcher in midfield - with Keano dropping off quite deep to muck in as well. But the key to our success inevitably came from the great link up play between Corluka and Lennon on the right which baffled and bamboozled the hapless Evra can resulted in our 2 goals in quick succession - the second of which made me insane trying to hold in my delirium as probably the only yiddo amongst many thousand reds! The finger marks in my thighs are still stinging despite the icepacks over the weekend! but contain myself I did - contenting myself in watching the lilywhite faithful going absolutely beserk over to my right!!
halftime struck - ‘not like this every week is it?’ I jibed with reserved cheek to ‘our kid’ next to me.. and off for a gloat and disgusting pie i went. My first thought (well second after the elation) of our second fantastic goal, was - I would seriously be very happy to leave Old Trafford with a draw - pragmatist that I am! - and that we must have a pretty good chance at getting that draw! I knew however, that even if it had been 3-0 (and having been at the Lane those years ago to watch United claw it back from 3-0 down), I knew that Fergie would have the famous hairdryer out and it would only take 1 red goal to get the psychology firmly back onto their side.
BUT - how fantastic it was to look all around me - and watch the incredible Theatre of Dreams - silenced into a panic, choked with the thought that their season might be collapsing and seriously muffled into a state where they actually have to provide the 12th man support to get their team back on track - a scenario which must happen all to seldom inside this glorious arena. And how satisfied I felt that our superb Tottenham team had caused this heartache, albeit briefly and provided this fantastic team, a right royal almighty scare - for a good 60 odd minutes!
Maybe it was a wrong decision on the Pen. I’m not even totally convinced that it was myself.
However, what followed was just a total juggernaut! Moving Rooney a little over to the left occupied Corluka and rendered him impotent to support Lennon to create the same threat on our right. Still it was good to see more of Modric in the game as he seemed isolated for most of the 1st, despite his fabulous goal.
We just got absolutely clobbered for about 20 minutes. Probably, did well not to conceed any more. Rooney’s second and Berba’s goal weren’t even struck that cleanly, but so powerful was this retort, that both Woody and Ledley just couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line. I was finding it very tough to have to stand up 5 times at each goal - ever sinking further with dismay at what might have been.. I’m sure those around me realised there was a Yiddo in their midst at most of my gesticulating - but, fair play to them, they let me be and didn’t rub my face in it..
Sometimes, you just gotta admire, take your hat off and clap your hands to a stunning display of football from both sides. Each group of players providing many moments of wonderful cohesive, unselfish and silky football. Even Dimitar looked half bothered to make an effort in this one. But despite this incredible comeback, it was us who totally won and dominated the first of this game of two halves. I made my way to Lou Macari’s fish ‘n’ chip shop, content that it wasn’t at all a one-sided mauling, but a fantastic roller-coaster which will spur on our team with immense confidence to finish our season on a high and hopefully clinch 7th spot - still within our reach!
This was one football experience I will never forget, a defeat that didn’t completely feel like one. I hope I just saw the champions for this season because they deserve it..
Come on you Spurs - the gap isn’t that big - we’ll be back - ever stronger..
April 28th, 2009 at 10:58 am
I’m not one to carp on about media campaigns against certain clubs, including ours. But some of the comments about the five goals we let in somehow ruling out the injustice of the penalty are ridiculous.
Everyone knows, and knew at 2-0, that keeping it tight at the back and not letting them open the floodgates by getting one goal back was key. That they went on the rampage and we fell to pieces was pretty predictable. But the fact that, shock horror, we turn out not to be as good as them when they have their tails up, somehow means we don’t have the right to complain, is ridiculous.
Ok Jenas looked a bit stupid describing the ref as crumbling under pressure when thats exactly what we did. But I’m not that interested in saying why the ref got that decision wrong. It just really fucked me off, and listening in the media to Tottenham being southern softies blah blah blah hasn’t helped! We might well have a soft underbelly - but thats what makes the decision MORE annoying, not less. The referee tipped us over and let Man Utd take advantage. We were doing a pretty good job of defending ourselves until that point.
Oh - and on that Berbatov semi final penalty, if its not too late. I don’t want to defend the man. I’ve admitted in the past to not being able to quite bring myself to hate him in the way I know I should, but having watched that penalty again, it wasn’t THAT bad. Don’t get me wrong, it was a bad penalty, but it was better than Cahills which he skied over the bar! It was too central, but apart from that, and that the keeper happened to dive the right way, it doesn’t differ from the one he scored against Chelsea at Wembley last year!
Berba is cursed to forever be accused of not caring when he gets things wrong. When he gets it right, no-one says “he doesn’t try”. Its just his style.
Not that I care if he gets it in the neck, I just think the media comments on him highlight how lazy the media is, not how lazy he is! Joe Royle called it “the worst penalty he’d ever seen by a professional player”. It was on bloody target!!
April 28th, 2009 at 11:01 am
It wasn’t even the worst on-target penalty by a professional player that WEEK.
Check out getafe’s penalty against Real Madrid.
And if you haven’t seen it, look at how they got the penalty. Its as if Mike Tyson was playing for Real! (it was actually Pepe)
(its on you tube, I can’t access it at work. but search for Pepe Getafe - it really is worth seeing)
April 28th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Not only does he push him in the back (albeit, not very hard) he then volleys him a couple of times. Excellent defending. Text book!
Great match report Sputnik. Cheers.
One comment from a Spurs fan on 606 was that none of the players bothered to make their way over to our supporters at the end of the game. You would think that they would make more of an effort. Did you see this Sputnik?
April 28th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I know i am going to be alone on this one but i hope the arse beat manure…
April 28th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Dude
You are so on your own.
What on earth are you thinking? Tell me it is some cunning plan where the scum get thumped and humilated in the final.
Personally, I’m not prepared to take that chance. Get those wankers out now, even if it is UTD.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
If they get humiliated in the final it will hurt them so much more.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
As long as hurt and humiliation is in there then I’ll be satisfied.
April 28th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I don’t care. I just want them to be out, period. Every year its the same. A weight lifts…
Sad, I know. Thats a spurs’ fans involvement in the CL!
Dude, your reasoning only makes sense if barca beat chelsea. Otherwise we’re all committed to cheering on Chelsea.
Which, with a heavy heart, I would do. Without actually cheering.
May 1st, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Hi Hornchurch
I don’t remember clearly the players applauding the fans - the exit tunnel is at completely the opposite end however - i think they left and clapped on the way out. However, I reckon they were in a trance from taking the 5 goal battering!
little tip for you if, like me, you’ve got some time on your hands:
I-tunes Spurs weekly podcast:
The Spurs Show - with Phil Cornwell…
it’s not bad!
May 1st, 2009 at 11:50 pm
The shit I got at work after last weekend’s match from all the plastic manure “fans” nearly sent me over the edge
Onwards & upwards, WBA tomorrow at The Lane, a potential banana skin but we will be up for giving it big time to them to banish the demons of last weekend. The chance of a European place is still in our sights too
COYS!
May 5th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
So, with 3 games to go, where do you think we will finish?
A few months back I was sure that we would still be in the shit. Thank fuck that we are well out of that scrap.
I’m not so keen on starting next season in July but that is what we will face if we finish 7th and in the 3rd qualifying round for the Europa league. At least next season our start can’t be as bad as this year. Can it????
May 5th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I see us finishing 9th with WHU and Man City leap frogging us on the final day of the season. I think its quite hopeful for us to finish the season in 7th. Everton away could be the pivotal game there. Not that fussed though to be honest given our earlier predicament.
Taarabt in the news today saying he needs to get away from Spurs.
May 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Oh Happy Days!!!!
What word best describes last nights excellent result? I’m going for “Crushing”.
Heaps of hurt and humiliation, my prayer was answered.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Anyone going to Everton?
COYS!
May 7th, 2009 at 8:12 am
The bagel and I were thinking about it - but we left it too late
Three word review of last night’s game.
Anders Frisk. Karma.
May 7th, 2009 at 9:47 am
YOTN
Make sure you get along to Goodison. You are due a win after the Blackburn game. Maybe another mad dash match report whilst running errands for the Mrs? It would be appreciated.
OK, hands up who feels sorry for Drogba? Naaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh! The scum on Tuesday and now the scummy chavs last night. My sides are starting to split.
May 7th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
HY
I’m definately going to Goodison, accompanied by mini Yid naturally. I think you’re right about being due a win, I’ve followed Spurs on the road only a few times this season & had to endure some disappointing results, so let’s hope this is the away win we need to keep or European hopes alive
I consider it an honour to do a match report, so that’a a done deal
COYS!