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