Jenas the key to Derby and Weder Bremen success

Jenas' value against Weder Bremen will be in restricting midfield creatvity

I haven’t written since before the stunning 3-2 comeback win at Arsenal, probably because I’ve been unable to string a coherent sentence together since out of pure joy. I had to run straight from watching the final whistle to a concert on the Saturday and I must have looked like a right idiot on the tube. I wasn’t just grinning, I was smiling, beaming ear-to-ear, replaying the match over in my head, giggling to myself, drawing uncomfortable looks from the visitors to our glorious isle from Heathrow terminal 1,2,3,4 & 5 on the tube from South Ealing. I just did not care. I was giddy all day and I’ve watched the match over several times since. How can Spurs be so insipid in the first half and then so inspired in the second? I don’t know, maybe because its Spurs and we don’t like doing things easily. I think a large part of it is not just the rollicking ‘Arry would have given the boys at half time but as Andy Gray said just before Bale’s fantastically taken goal, “if Spurs get a goal now then the whole atmosphere in this stadium changes.” The atmosphere did indeed change, Spurs sniffing blood and Arsenal and their fans feeling uneasy. It always strikes me how little chanting Arsenal fans do, certainly watching on TV anyway. Their most inspired chant seemed to be “ARSE-NAL”. Um… yeah. No witty songs about a Brazillian goalkeeper shagging your wife, no rousing rendition of “Oh when the Arsenal go marching in”, nada. As soon as Gareth Bale stuck that ball in the back of the net the place was silent except for some typically boisterous yiddos. But then again, 2-1 does that to any team. Just look at the nerves when Eto’o scored at White Hart Lane or when we held on to win at Fulham: 2-1 makes players and fans nervy.

Atmosphere aside, I had suggested before the game that Jenas would be the perfect replacement for Tom Huddlestone and he proved his worth yet again. I still don’t understand why he is so maligned by some fans. In my opinion he has pace and intelligence, the ability to spot a pass just as well as Luka Modric and in the second half he got in Fabregas’ face, pressuring as if his life depended on it. I feel that he really stepped up to the plate at the Emirates. I actually thought that Bale had a quiet game aside from a well taken goal and that Van Der Vaart despite scoring and setting up the other two didn’t have a huge impact on the game either. William Gallas was my man of the match. If there was ever a performance to sway undecided fans about his worth then it was as he captained us to a first win over his old side away in 17 years. He was imperious at the back, putting his body on the line, clearing balls, running forward. I don’t think he was just trying to win us over, I think he was showing Arsenal what they let go in the mould of Tevez going back to Man Utd. In winding Arsenal up, he delighted many Spurs fans. If Gareth Bale looked like a man totally spent and exhausted for the Spurs cause after our loss at the San Siro then Gallas looked similar at the Emirates, limping into the centre circle and falling to his knees at a job bloody well done. I for one have absolutely no problem in him remaining captain in Michael Dawson’s absence.

So, to the game tonight against Weder Bremen. It’s a tough one as most people expect us to walk it, therefore being Spurs it would only be apt if we were to really struggle. Saying that, it was sloppy mistakes away from home that gave Bremen two goals to draw the match and I think that with the White Hart Lane atmosphere and a squad pumped after beating our biggest rivals it should really be a victory. The key for me is Jenas again as if he can get in their faces all night then it leaves very little for the emerging partnership of Gallas and Kaboul to sweep up. I have a sneaky feeling that depending on Gallas’ fitness levels we might see Bassong start in his stead but we’ll see. A note on Kaboul: he set up our win over Man City at the end of last year and has been a real revelation. He can thump free kicks, defend with force and composure in equal measure and he can head the ball well – I expect him to become a mainstay of the team. I don’t think Rafael Van Der Vaart will be risked following an ankle knock so Crouch and Defoe will start up front with Lennon given another chance to utilise his speed against European opponents on the right flank. I have put cheeky silly bets on 4-0, 5-0 and 6-0 which means this will probably be a less open game so I’ll predict a 4-1 scoreline.

Tempo is all important against European teams and with that in mind here is the team I expect to start:

                                                            Gomes

Hutton                        Gallas (c)                                        Kaboul                        BAE

Lennon                        Jenas                                                Modric                        Bale

                                    Crouch                                    Defoe

I’ll be at the lane tonight for my first taste of Champions League action and I hope its another Glory Glory night so if you see a ginger at the front of block 33, South Lower, then say hello!

COYS!

How to lose with dignity

As the Arsenal fans famously sang: "Theres only one team in London". Wenger is annoyed it isn't his lot. 

Please refer to picture above...

Nothing like a North London Derby

Spurs will need a "kiss from a Rose" on Saturday

There is absolutely nothing like a North London Derby. The Glasgow derby comes close in terms of sheer vitriol between sets of supporters but the red/blue Manchester matches are often dull affairs (and nearly always one-sided) whilst the Merseyside derby is a tepid affair as most households in Liverpool are split between red and blue anyway.

Tottenham v Arsenal will always be a huge match, whatever state either team is in. When both teams were excellent in the 80’s and 90’s, it was one to watch and even in Spurs’ darkest moments in the league, it has given a chance for players to really give it a go. I’ve been a Spurs fan all my short life, but in terms of knowing every player, formations, going to matches regularly and, strongly disliking Arsenal, its only been about 8 years of pure devotion to the temple of White Hart Lane. In that time, I have witnessed some truly astonishing matches at the Lane, the library and the new death star. Who can forget Martin Jol screaming at Spurs to play on when an Arsenal player had tripped over his own laces resulting in a Robbie Keane goal and Arsene Wenger unconvincingly squaring up to the big Dutchman, only for us to lose, again because of Henry’s brilliance. Or the occasion when Jermaine Jenas scored a stoppage time equalizer at the Lane for us? How about the time when we first went to the Emirates and outplayed arsenal? Robbie Keane won a penalty but Almunia saved excellently and Arsenal ran down the other end and scored to win? How about one night at the Lane when against all expectations, Spurs dismantled a less experienced Arsenal side in the Carling Cup 5-1? I remember that night as the commentator on Sky said as Jenas got the ball: “Time for one last attack perhaps, oh and its Jenas who passes to… MALBRANQUE! There’s the icing on the cake – Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur!” Whenever I needed a pick up, I stuck that match on my Sky+ box and still feel elated!

In more recent times, the North London Derby has produced some stellar games. In Harry Redknapp’s second game in charge, we went ahead at the Emirates thanks to an unbelievably classy goal from David Bentley (“Take a bow son, take a bow” said Andy Gray). Arsenal pulled it back to 2-1 before dominating the game, outplaying us. Then they scored a third and it all looked a lost hope. Then Darren “how much?!” Bent scored to give us a chance but it all looked dead and buried when Hutton inadvertently set up Arsenal to smash a fourth in. Cue my friend telling me to turn it off “You won’t win now, lets watch Family Guy.” I was not for moving. Then Jenas scored a cracker of a goal to give renewed hope to Spurs fans – I was on my knees at this point. I remember Andy Gray saying, “Arsene Wenger will be furious, just keep the ball, run it into the corner.” Gomes lumped a ball down into the Arsenal half, Huddlestone knocked it to (and here’s the commentary because I have watched it 200 times since) “Modric, hits the post… LENNON! FOUR FOUR!” Andy Grey then took over “Well would you believe it? What an advert for this game we love. Harry’s team should be out of this, Harry’s team should be going home with nothing having done quite well – but they’re going home with a point in the most extraordinary of circumstances and Arsene Wenger will be furious. This ball takes a big deflection from Modric’s strike as it hits the post and you think they’ve got away with it but no: Little Aaron Lennon, alert, bright, aware, is there to stick it into the back of the net.” Apologies for any inaccuracies in the commentary there but I’m fairly sure that was it all. What a match eh?! Well, we looked to do it again last year at the Emirates but Arsenal took a goal in the 42^nd minute and after 41 minutes of dogged defending and whilst the replay of the first goal was still going on, Arsenal score another, straight from the re-start and Spurs fall apart. Arsenal dominated that game and Spurs didn’t even come close.

The most remarkable night of my Spurs life, was probably not Inter Milan at White Hart Lane (if I had been there then it probably would have been) but a cold night in April earlier this year. I was in Jersey where my girlfriend is from and she had booked us a Spa day and night at a very swanky club. I had however insisted that we do any day but the Wednesday but sods law, the club only had space on the Wednesday. So, Alice being the utter star that she is and understanding the other love in my life, let me go to a local pub to watch the match. I sat at the bar before the game in a relatively empty pub feeling very nervous indeed but also buzzing with excitement. For my company I had three pissed locals although one was a Liverpool fan. I was perplexed as to why Danny Rose was starting but I thought it might be a wildcard and that hopefully Harry Redknapp knew something I didn’t.  In the 9^th minute something remarkable happened. A David Bentley corner was punched away buy Almunia and as it fell from the sky like a meteorite from outer space, Danny Rose, on his full Spurs debut struck the ball with his left foot, before it had a chance to touch the ground. The ball scorched through the air at unbelievable velocity and ferocity and nearly burnt a hole in the goal net. I was in disbelief, I screamed to an empty pub, White Hart Lane didn’t just rock, it exploded.  Martin Tyler shouted, “Oh what a goal! Its Danny Rose on his Premier League debute with a memorable strike! Can you believe it!”

Here it is in all its glory:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r0clOtSRlo&feature=related

 As my pissed companions game back from a smoking break I was shouting “Rose has scored an unbelievable goal, best goal I’ve ever seen, look… look!” One of them responded that he’d believe it when he saw it. When they saw it one said, “bloody hell, fourth place is yours now I’d say fella. What. A. Goal.” Danny Rose ran around the pitch, a man possessed, on fire, screaming. The Liverpool fan next to me said, “they’ll have to take him off now, he’s lost his head after a goal like that!” We went on to win that game thanks to a wonderful Bale goal created by Jermain Defoe’s excellent ball. Gomes deserved plaudits for having made three exceptional world-class saves in as many minutes right at the end of the game as we held on to win 2-1. I have no shame in admitting that I literally skipped back to the hotel and bought drinks all night for my lovely girlfriend and me. I was horribly hung-over the next day but still made time to buy all the newspapers. What a wonderful night.

For my little story there are thousands upon thousands more remarkable and special, for both sets of supporters about different North London Derby’s throughout the ages. It is the first date that both fans look for when the fixtures list is released and the game all fans want to be at. I feel that tomorrow will be a very open game with fragile defences and attack-minded midfields on both teams. One would expect Gallas to want to prove a point so he should be good at the back. The key for me is not Defoe, but Van Der Vaart and Crouch’s new partnership. I feel that with a ropey defence and goalkeeper, the knock down combination could be a rich source of potential to score a goal. At the other end, our defence has been cut to ribbons by lesser teams so will need real spatial awareness to keep messyrs Arsahrvin, Fabregas and the resurgent Nasri quiet. I wouldn’t like to predict the score but I do think both teams will score. I would take a draw here and now despite Newcastle and West Brom winning at the Emirates this year. Arsenal are an excellent team and I am always first to acknowledge when they have outplayed us when updating Facebook after a game – I hope that tomorrow, I won’t have to.

Audere est Facere!

Square pegs for round holes? How to replace Huddlestone.

I think we all know where that ball will end up...

The news that Tom Huddlestone will be out for three months with an ankle injury is a crushing blow for Spurs fans and a management team who were daring to believe that they would soon have a team back to near 100% fitness. The revolving door to the physios room sees Huddlestone going in and Defoe and Lennon coming out.

There was a time when Huddlestone couldn’t buy a game in a white shirt, often overlooked for underwhelming speed and tenacity for a player of such physical stature. However, under Harry Redknapp (as with most of the current crop of Spurs players!) he has truly blossomed into a true battleaxe of a midfielder. He crossed with his left or right foot, both come equally naturally to him, to pinpoint targets all over the field of play. His little backlift when striking the ball underlines a knack for hitting the sweet spot and scoring some excellent long range goals in the process. Couple with these talent normally more suited to a small agile attacking midfielder, he has greatly improved his tackling, can shepherd the ball around the pitch and boss the tempo of a match. His introduction against Young Boys at 3-0 whilst we stared Champions League embarrassment in the face changed the course of the game.

So the point of this article? How does a Spurs team which has been so reliant on Huddlestone cope without him? Well, quite easily actually. The proof was in the pudding on Saturday when an arguably lightweight midfield of Modric, Jenas, Van Der Vaart and Bale zipped the ball around the pitch admirably with only errors by the defence preventing a first clean sheet since the opening day of the season.  I run against the grain when I say that I have called for Jenas to play a lot more in the league since his excellent appearances in the Champions league for us. He set up an excellent opportunity early in the first half against Blackburn and I thought that the dark haired played searing down the left wing to deliver a pinpoint cross must have been Gareth Bale but it was JJ. Luka Moric has enjoyed a renaissance in the last few matches and proved his versatility by playing off Huddlestone or equally with attacking flair alongside Jenas or behind Van Der Vaart. How do we replace Huddlestone against Arsenal? Stick with the same midfield.

Well, sort of. Whilst we have the luxury of lots of round pegs for round holes in our field, with Krancjar being the only glaring huge square peg in our team at the moment (don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten how good he was last season), we will need some form of defensive midfielder to guard against Arsenal’s pace in midfield. I would suggest Palacios but he has been off his best this season, so for me Sandro should start. He made a glaring mistake against Bolton to gift them their first goal but his aggression, tenacity and ability to move with the ball makes him the perfect fit for a Huddelstone replacement for me. He also has great experience of hugely passionate and intimidating atmospheres from derby games in Brazil so if anything the North London Derby will fire him up.

The Spurs team of late has seen attack as the best form of defence and I think that with the speed and skill of both Tottenham and Arsenal’s midfield’s at the moment, we are in for quite an unusually open game on Saturday. Huddlestone will be missed but his place will be ably filled by a pacier midfield anchored by Sandro, leaving VDV, Bale and the likes to try and find ways through the Arsenal defence. I think that Aresnal fans won’t be too worried about us or this game but that they will be slightly nervous of what Van Der Vaart and Bale have done to other teams this season and so they could be the men to do it for us.

I hope the revolving door at the physio’s room closes soon but until Tom Huddlestone recovers (get well soon Tom), I am sure that we can cope. 

Making the case for pace

Tottenham are really missing the combined pace of Bale and Lennon

Spurs face Blackburn tomorrow with potentially enough injuries in our first team to field an entire starting XI for “Sicknote FC”. Every team has injuries at some point in the season but we are currently going through an underwhelming patch with some fans unhappy at our inability to make White Hart lane a fortress. Instead, the Lane has become a place where teams set out their stall to frustrate and try and nick a goal on the counter attack. I feel that we survived to an extent when Aaron Lennon was still fit and in the team. He can run at players just as excellently as Bale and his crossing had improved vastly since last season. The great thing about having Lennon in the team with Bale is that they scare defences as defenders have to decide which wing to concentrate on, leaving space for the other flying winger to run into, much like Bale’s third goal at the San Siro, made by an excellent Lennon run. While Lennon has been injured, managers have had been able to tell players to double or triple up on Bale without consequence on the other wing. Krancjar was dire against Bolton and I felt that David Bentley didn’t do enough against Sunderland, Hutton didn’t seem to have a good rapport with him at all with Bentley seemingly trying to win the crowd over with tricks and skill single-handedly. He did not.

Our team’s greatest asset is its blistering pace on the counter attack and secondly, when Modric and co are playing well, our speed at passing through the pitch and running into the little holes to release Jermain Defoe to net for us. Unfortunately, he has also been injured and neither Pav or Crouch are know for their speed. Robbie Keane has also been in the physio’s room, denying him a real chance and showing fans he’s still the master at playing off the shoulder and at dinking into spaces in the box to score.

We need pace. Lots of it. Our performances of late have been too lethargic and I noted at the lane on Tuesday that Assou-Ekotto and Hutton didn’t get forward nearly enough and when they did, they had to wait for support. My suggestion to start with Jermaine Jenas split opinion but I really do feel that he’s been a different player this season and has control and pace to either bomb forward to support a counter attack or to run back to prevent the other team from doing the same. Until Defoe, Keane and Lennon return, we lack cutting edge up front and speed on both wings. I’d start with Jenas tomorrow who seemed to build up a good rapport with Huddlestone and Modric in the European games he played with them.  Crouch has fought his way back into the starting line up with another VDV assist and until Pav has a cracking game, he won’t get another start. A rumour today was that Harry Kane had trained with the first team. He’s an exceptionally exciting prospect, demolishing teams in reserve and academy matches and Harry Redknapp may throw a curveball by putting him on the bench if Pavulychencko fails a late fitness test. Here is my starting lineup:

Gomes

Hutton                        Kaboul                                    Bassong                        BAE

Modric                          Jenas                                    Huddlestone                   Bale

                                                     Van Der Vaart

                                                           Crouch

You never know with Spurs these days but I predict a first clean sheet since the opening day of the season with a 2-0 win. Modric to score and Van Der Vaart to keep up his amazing run of scoring in every appearance at White Hart Lane.

                                                 

To boo or not to boo?

"Nice to see your own fans booing you" - but does it generate a response?

I was going to post about the romance of White Hart Lane, taking my girlfriend to her first Spurs game and about the need to take stock after the stalemate with Sunderland. Instead, it seems that the media have become fixed on the story that Spurs fans booed their team. To what extent is that true and are fans who boo their own team achieving anything?

The game started rather tepidly and if I am totally honest, there wasn’t a lot of chanting at all before the match. It was only really in the second half of the match that the fans made some real noise and got a reaction from the players. The was an extreme amount of vitriol directed towards Howard Webb which I thought was a bit close to the bone but in my opinion he did have a truly awful match. Van Der Vaart continued his excellent run of being in the right place at the right time to bundle home for us but Gallas and Kaboul, both Frenchman I should add, clearly weren’t speaking the same language as they tripped over each other and allowed Gyan to run forward and slot past Gomes. I thought Bentley was particularly underwhelming at times and seemed unsure whether to try and run at the defenders or cross the ball – invariably he would be tackled while he made up his mind.

I will be totally honest, I was unbelievably frustrated, as was everyone in the ground and in the end Sunderland looked more likely to score. The boo at the end of the match was several things; it was short (lasting no more than a second); it was half-hearted; it was a shock and it was idiotic. This may be a new blog but you will note from my first post below that I said that us Spurs fans were the best because we didn’t boo our team off the pitch like Arsenal did. Unfortunately the commentator’s curse struck in one respect and a small minority decided to vent their frustration, shaming the rest of us.

I’d like to start by saying that the boo lasted under a second and was followed immediately by applause for the team, mainly I would imagine from those who were so shocked that the same fans who rode the crest of media adulation 7 days earlier could have such short memories. Arsenal fans booing their team is nothing new and they booed their team literally off the pitch but it is now a common trend in football, perhaps started by ‘fans’ of the national team. I will point out that there are a multitude of intelligent, articulate, and passionate Arsenal fans who, like myself and many other Spurs fans yesterday, don’t deserve to be tarred by the same brush as the booers. Hooliganism was called the “English Disease”, perhaps freely booing teams is the newest Anglo-affliction.

There is the argument that fans pay a lot of money and when they don’t see obvious return on their investment from the players who earn ridiculous amounts every day, they have a right to voice their discontent.  The obvious question here is what good does it do? Do the players go back to the dressing room and think ”Ooh, that Neanderthal horde were eloquently convincing with their swearing and booing, they’ve convinced me to play better next time out”. Do fans really think booing is going to have a positive impact on someone like Benoit Assou-Ekotto who has declared how much less seriously he takes the drama of the game? I can see him not caring, or worse, caring less. Harry Redknapp was obviously extremely pissed off with the fans reaction after all he has done. He was right in saying that we played well and right too that we couldn’t score and that Craig Gordon was on top form and one slip us cost us a goal. I really hope he isn’t too disillusioned with the apparent expectations of our ‘fans’ – he may be more open to a chat with the FA in 2012 because of it.

I did not boo and I disagree entirely with it. Most Spurs players especially the ever grounded and humble Gareth Bale made a point of walking nearer to all four stands to applaud the fans and he was rewarded with applause in return.

There was not one single time last night when I felt confident that we would score, we lacked any cutting edge but on another day would have ground out the 1-0 win and no more would be said. It says a lot for how far we have come that we can treat a draw as a loss but therein lies the paradox – we must not forget how far we have come – from the bottom of the Premier league to beating the European Champions. There will be plenty more occasions when we WILL get a lucky decision or when we WILL ground out a win or even snatch a fortuitous and undeserved point for ourselves. We are not out of the running for the top four yet and whilst we cannot dine off of the Inter Milan win forever, we must learn to take the rough with the smooth.

I hope the trend of booing in English football dies down much like hooliganism did and that fans of all clubs get back to doing what they should do best – passionately support their team. I know I and many other Spurs fans do.

I’d love to hear your comments or views on this topic.

Sunderland - A glamour tie?

Will Sandra Redknapp get the nod up front as Spurs' front line continues to lack incisiveness?

Tomorrow, Spurs take on a resurgent Sunderland team at the lane in what many Spurs fans are already declaring a "must win". It'll be my first league game of the season and I'm taking my girlfriend along too to, hopefully, soak up the magical White Hart Lane atmosphere and our t'riffic fans. Granted, she may have wildly varying expectations as the last match she went to (her first footy game) was England v Montenegro at Wembley in the Club seats. As our cabbie said on the way, "Monte-who? I wouldn't pay to watch that!" Don't worry I didn't. It was corporate, and yes, we missed the first 8 minutes of the second half because we were drinking but they took so bloody long to serve us as the ridiculous champagne and seafood bar (really? Roy Keane had a point...) that it wasn't really our fault.... Anyway, she'll be expecting posh nosh, good drinks juxtaposed with boring football, zero atmosphere, booing and the ever present and ever awful England band playing "Vindaloo" in the minor rather than major key... badly (I'm allowed to say that as a musician!)

How wrong, I hope, she will be. The atmosphere at White Hart Lane is second to none and other than Liverpool you probably don't get as much of an electric atmosphere at any other ground. How many Spurs chants are there? Tons. How many spare seats will there be? None. How many will Crouchy score? No... well...

So, no disrespect to Sunderland, I conducted their Symphony Orchestra for a time as well as some other musical stuff up there and they are passionate fans, but, it's not exactly a North London Derby is it? And that is where I turn to footballing matters.

Van Der Vaart looks likely not to be risked which would be a great shame because he has a passion to work hard for the fans and shirt on a level that, at times, only Michael Dawson and Gareth Bale seem to exhibit. With Lennon also out, we lack the option of pace on both wings which we have been blessed with so far this season. It is the right wing, for me, that requires most attention against Sunderland. I thought Niko Krancjar looked jaded against Bolton whilst Wilson Palacios still hasn't found the form, or first touch, that made him the backbone of our team last year. For me, David Bentley might start on the right - just hear me out here. His excellent crosses from the right, and any that Bale gets in from the left in between being hacked to death, should give Peter Crouch and excellent opportunity to score either a header or a toe-poker. If it doesn't work by the hour mark then I'd bring Pav on instead. The back four picks itself, with Hutton enjoying a renaissance on the right with some excellent work of late although he was at fault for giving Eto'o too much space to score last week. Gallas took a knock and if he doesn't play, or even to freshen things up, Sebastian Bassong may get a start but it looks unlikely. In VDV's absence, Modric should hope to start behind the striker with, hopefully, Huddlestone and Jenas (who I felt may have added some pace we lacked against Bolton) anchoring things in the middle of the park.

Maybe its the ravings of a madman but with the pace of Modric, Jenas and Bale, and the passing of Huddlestone and Bentley, it would suit our gung-ho approach at home. Starting quickly, which we used to be black-belts at, is essential. It should be a good game if we go at it, I feel Steve Bruce will set up fairly defensively so concentration must be high to cover any counter attack's if and when they come.

My line up would be:   

                                                           Gomes

Hutton                           Kaboul                              Gallas                          BAE

Bentley                           Jenas                           Huddlestone (c)                 Bale

                                                           Modric 

                                                           Crouch          

I'll be singing my little ginger heart out tomorrow in the freezing cold and hoping for another great night at the Lane. My prediction is 3-1 to Spurs although this may be a chance to keep a first clean sheet since the Manchester City game at the start of the season.

Inter Milan demolition the cure for dodgy Bolton away day

Wesley had no idea what that team had in store for him...

Last week was a complete whirlwind as a Spurs fan. There hasn't been that much buzz and excitement that we could beat one of the worlds best teams since.. well, every time we play Manchester United.

A glance at the Phil Thompson's blog before the game suggested a win for Spurs, from a man who normally likes to criticise Tottenham too. What probably helped the optimism was a stirring-almost-one-man comeback by Mr Gareth Bale away at the San Siro, who in the last year has not only earned his wings, but seemingly upgraded them to rocket boosters. It felt like Young boys away all over again: "To Dare is to Do" is the motto of our beloved club, and so I dared to dream that we could beat the "minnows" of Switzerland. That didn't quite go to plan until we recovered to 3-2. "Well, as long as we don't lose our heads at the start of a game again we'll have no problem", I told a friend. Ah. Well, we sort of did lose our heads, a lot, quite quickly. Within seconds of starting at the San Siro, losing a player and two goals, Arsenal fans had come out of the woodwork on Facebook and Twitter: "Welcome to the Champions League you total muppets!!!" was one quote, the only one clean enough to post I might add.

And Lo, Bale screamed down the left flank scoring two wonderful goals. Amen. Oh, but there was more. Lennon scythes through the Milan midfield like something from 2006 and Bale has his remarkable, Lazarus-rivaling hat-trick. Cue me and my ENTIRE family on our knees on the floor, daring to dream (again) that we could do an Arsenal 4-4 on them. It wasn't to be. As I said at the time to an Arsenal fan, we did play badly, we did look like schoolboys, but I was grinning from ear to ear and slept a lot easier, knowing retribution could be at hand.

Cue two weeks later, I didn't just dare to dream, I dared to place a bet. I settled down feeling sick, praying that Gallas and Kaboul could hold off Eto'o who scores for fun. The best fans in the world (thats you, fellow Yids) sang the metaphorical roof off White Hart Lane (and I am a choral conductor!) - the golden cockerel glistened and probably thought "I remember a night like this a while back.." Van Der Vaart (the gift shop surely has ran out of V's and A's?!) raced through to score, settle nerves and increase the volume of singing (Haringey council's noise pollution officer had a busy night). Imagine the Inter players and fans! They probably thought "those fans were noisy enough in their ridiculously small allocation at the San Siro but we've just walked into a lions den," or at least thats what I like to think...

Note goes to Cudicini for an excellent save at half time but the second half was all about Bale. My dad shouts all sorts at the TV, even when we're playing well, but even he (for once!) was waxing lyrical about Bale - giggling, yes, a grown man giggling, at what a young Welshman was doing to the "Worlds Greatest Right Back". Yeah, well a note to visiting teams, leave your accolades at the Bill Nic gates please, they mean nothing to us, just ask Arsenal and Chelsea after last season. Bale was a man possessed, a man on fire at 100-mph chased by ninjas... sort of.. with his last goal (after some VERY nervy moments at 2-1) a spectacularly outrageous kick-and-run sprint for 70 yards to pass to Super Pav to do what he does best, absolutely nothing until he pops up to score!

That night, "Audere est Facere" came true. I think we all dared to dream, the players dared to play, Bale dared to run whilst Maicon dared to stop him, but ended up having a taxi called instead. Gallas and Kaboul in particular looked imperious at the back

There were no Arsenal fans to talk to that night, I'm not sure why..... Certainly none on Facebook anyway.

It is nights like that at White Hart Lane which make me proud to be a Spurs fan. Yes we played badly against Bolton on Saturday despite amazing support, yes the team was lacklustre and the media all too eager to diagnose a severe case of championsleaguehangover-itis but thats part and parcel of being a Spurs fan. We may moan but we certainly don't boo our own team off the pitch like Arsenal did after being outmuscled by Newcastle. If a loss away to Bolton and a dodgey refereeing decision at Old (GMT + Fergie time) Trafford is the price to pay for demolishing, destroying, and dismantling the European and Italian Champions, then thats a price I'm all to happy to pay!

COYS!