1992-1993 all over again

On Wednesday evening we do battle with the old enemy yet again.

This time we are looking to achieve that treasured rarity: a league double against Arsenal.

In recent years a single league win has been hard enough to come by.  Just over a year ago, we entered the final push for our Champions League place, and in doing so beat Arsenal 2-1 at The Lane.  That win was our first since a victory by the same scoreline in 1999.

That was over 10 years waiting.   10 long, long years.  Since last spring’s glorious victory we’ve proven ourselves even cheekier, having to audacity to go to their patch and beat them. 

The last time we did that was the last time we completed a league double over them.  

The season – 1992/93

Back then it was Highbury not the Emirates.  We’d beaten them 1-0 at home a couple of weeks before Christmas, a Paul Allen first half goal doing the damage.  The return match, played out in front of under 27,000 people saw us take a 3-1 win on the last day of the season.  The victory ensured we finished above Arsenal that season (a heady 8^th to their 10^th)

We took a 2 goal lead through Teddy Sheringham and John Hendry (you remember him, yes you do), before Paul Dickov pulled one back for the home side.  Hendry fired our third to seal it late in the second half (you do remember him now, don’t you?  John.  Hendry.  Scored a couple against Arsenal.  Scottish geezer.  That’s the fella)

Line-ups that day:

Arsenal – Miller, Lyderson (McGowan), Keown, Marshall, O’Leary, Bould, Flatts (Carter), Selley, Smith, Dickov, Heaney.

Tottenham – Walker, McDonald, Van den Hauwe, Hill, Mabbutt, Ruddock, Sedgley, Hendry (Hodges), Anderton, Sheringham, Allen

So, Wednesday, we’re looking for three in a row.  Can we do it?  Of course we can.

This can be a catalyst to kick start this season push for 4^th and the glory of the Champions League (I still have that music in my ears).  A second league win this season against Arsenal would give a dramatic confidence boost to our boys, who will hopefully despatch the remaining visitors to the Lane with ease (West Brom, Blackpool, Birmingham)  and take 5 or 6 points from our travels (Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool).

We got further than Arsenal in the Champions League this season; let’s make sure we get there again so we can go further than them next season.

COYS

Chunky

24 hours later, 1 week to go

24 hours later and all is calm.... ish.

It would seem our debut Champions League season has run it’s course.  One more ‘Glory, Glory’ night at the lane, playing for pride if nothing else and then that’s it.  All over.   Goodnight Vienna.  Or maybe Rapid Vienna in next seasons Europa league, which looking at our league form is all we can really hope for.

So, we were beaten in the end by Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.  We swept to the top of our group in cavalier fashion.  We showed maturity and control to despatch AC Milan in the San Siro, and close them out at the Lane.

We were meant to do the same to Real weren’t we?  Go for a kick about in their back yard, nick a cheeky goal on the break and then teach them what us Spurs boys are all about back at home. 

Oh well, the best laid plans……

4 mins in and Emmanuel Adebayor of all people is sticking a header past Gomes and through the legs of the shortest man on the pitch Luka Modric.  Never mind, early blow, but we’ve had enough of those in the CL this season.

8 mins and Crouchinho is getting flashed a yellow for going horizontal on Sergio Ramos.  Strange challenge, that high up the pitch.

15 mins and he’s at it again.  This time on Marcelo.  Second yellow and he’s off.  Out of character yes, but still doesn’t stop it being totally foolish and ultimately costing us a decent shout at getting through to the semi-final.

After that it’s a little academical.  We held out bravely til half time, Bale and VdV even managing to forge a few chances.

The late switch of Jenas for a sick Lennon left the midfield unbalanced.  Jenas was never going to hug the touchline like Azza would have done and push Marcelo back.  Consequently a slightly sluggish looking Corluka was constantly being attached by Ronaldo and Marcelo.  

This and the lack of an ‘out ball’ to relieve the pressure (I’m looking at you here Pete) left it inevitable we’d crack and ship more goals. 

By 90 minutes we’ve lost 4-0.  Maybe flattering on Real. Maybe not.  Who knows what would have happened if we’d had 11 men for more than 15 minutes.   I’d like to think we’d have come away 2-1 or 3-1, giving ourselves a good chance of turning it round at home next Wednesday. 

And so to next Wednesday.  Surely the pressure is off.  We were never meant to get through the group stages anyway.  We’ve got as much chance of winning as I have of getting into the next England squad (for info I’m 31, and not called Chunky ironically). 

So let’s get out there and play freely.  Let’s see what happens.  Whatever happens, two things are certain. 

1) We must get behind whatever XI is put out to do the job, even if we do end up playing Sandro at right back because we have nobody else.  We must make the Lane a uncomfortable place for Real to come and play.  Who knows?  Early goal, quick red card in their direction and suddenly the heat is on Madrid.  36,000 Spurs faithful cheering the ball past Casillas a couple more times and you never know.  Make it another great European night at the lane.

2) Crouchy won’t be able to cock it all up for us again.  But it’s ok, we have Pavlyuchenko for that. 

COYS

Chunky