As soon as I knew that we needed a Bayern win to get champion league, my hunch changed from that of Chelsea losing due to too many players missing and being outclassed to Chelsea winning the game one nil with a late goal or beating Bayern on penalties. Having watched the match, and despite my heartache over the result, I must give full respect to Chelsea for the way they won the match despite looking like losing it for the majority. It was like Ali vs Foreman, rumble in the jungle. Ropadope. They frustrated Bayern in their own ground and grinded out the result. Maximum respect for Cech, who showed why he is a master goal keeper with the way he handled the penalty duties. The man of the match for me though has to be Drogba. This guy is an out and out winner. The header. The final penalty. Class. On the Bayern side, Neuer showed in his performance what a winning player he is. To take a penalty kick as a goal keeper, two penalties in showed that this guy was full of confidence and the will to win. Compare that to the way that Friedal watched the deflected shot pass him in the Villa game as if he couldn't be bother to attempt the save. I say all of this as a Tottenham fan, to highlight the difference between us, and those above is in the league and footballs grand scheme of things. Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Man City, Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona. It's subtle difference, but a difference none the less. What we don't quite have is enough characters for whom nothing but a win will do, and when the chips are down they will step up and put their balls on the line to win it for our team. I include management in this equation. They have both the will and the skill to do this, but the will is greater. The closest we have to this for me is VDV. You can see it in him game and hear it in the way he talks about Spurs. He can't do this on his own though. Gallas tries, but injuries hamper him. Parker has the grit and determination but he's gone of the boil in recent games, noticeably against Chelsea in the cup. King seems more passive these days although he is the epitome of loyal, along with Lennon, Huddlestone, Jenas, Bentley, Dawson, Defoe who I imagine wouldn't want to play anywhere else, but don't always take games by the scruff of the neck when they do play. Bale and Modric, although technically more than capable, are wavering in their loyalty. As did Redknapp. They don't appear to be Spurs through and through. You can see it in their game and hear it in the way they talk about Spurs. (It's only very recently, after the England decision was made, that Harry began referring to Spurs as 'we', rather than 'they', as if he is only just become intrinsic to the operation.) Arsenal have an advantage in that they have Wenger, then of course there is Van Persie, for now. I'd include Sanga in their equation also. Sandro and Kaboul are showing signs of what we need and are growing in stature within our club. Vertonghen is already showing signs that he will serve the club well if / when we sign him. He wants to play for the shirt. Lets hope that Levy continues to show his loyalty and put his balls / wallet on the line to purchase the right players for Tottenham. For me, champions league status was lost when we tried to hold on to a draw at Villa rather than going all out for a win, when only a win would have done the job. Ten men or not. If that game were a win.......
Indeed the spectacle of a flat back 10 was one to behold. The turning point for me was when Ribery got cramp. You could see the delay was bothering Robben. He should have dragged his sorry arse off the pitch. Robben scores we enjoy our summer etc ctc.
morning lockstock yep, I'm of the same opinion with most of that. firstly, credit here it's due to chelsea. it's horrific that they won and everyone's moaned about the way in which they've done in by being negative. But any team who can take a beating over the last 3 CL games like they have, to then win it, fully deserves it. You could twist it round and say their defensive displays were world class. Yes barca missed a few, but chelsea stopped them from playing their game and they didn't know what to do. Bayern could have been there all night and wouldn't have wont that game. fair play to chelsea. Totally agree with you on VDV. not only that but he's the only world class player we've brought in who's been world class at the time we've purchased. we need more players like this, and over the last 2 years we should have bought these types of players in. it's all too late now. Yes, Bale and Modric's loyalty is questionable and both will probably make a fuss about leaving the club. I think Levy will get too much pressure this year from modric and his reps, because it was bocked last year. he's gone IMO. bale could easily become involved in a bidding war between clubs, where Levy just can't say no. The disruption caused might be enough for Levy to just say "**** it, but I'm getting all I can for you." if we well, we should be trying to get the best part of £100m. we've rejected £40m for modric and clubs still want him apparently, and bale is worth more. anything from £90m+ would be great money. That would have to be used on some brilliant replacements and squad depth that harry is happy to ROTATE! Then we should be able to have a go at the top 4 in the prem again, have a stab at the FA cup, and even go for it in the europa. The players we could bring in with that sort of money, + what we were going to spend, could see us become something much stronger. - Even if there is a year of transition.
