Spurs Need More Glory Than Just Bale’s Double

The closer I got to London on Sunday night after a weekend in Cornwall, the more the fact that I was happy for Gareth Bale’s double PFA award win, but not delighted dawned on me. Like most Spurs fans, for me it’s the team not the individual that really matters. Looking at Bale’s smile as he collected two trophies was nice, but I would rather he held the invisible Wenger Cup. Third or fourth is much more important than the appreciation of the individual, especially with four big games to go.

On Saturday afternoon stood in a field champagne glass in hand, admiring the Cornish countryside whilst wedding celebrations went on around me, I was desperate for any kind of signal receiving receptacle. Cornwall rather like White Hart Lane on match day is a UK based Bermuda Triangle, there is no phone reception, I was totally cut off from Tottenham and the outside world.

Finally after a few hours of imaging the result and predicting a glorious victory, I discovered the score by stumbling upon a  Gooner. By the way he was beaming, I suspected he had either swallowed a coat hanger or Spurs had messed up. With his voice full of joy he informed me of the 2-2 scoreline, how he came by this information remains a mystery, perhaps there is a Woolwich Society in Tintagle?

We may have rescued a point against Wigan, but after coming from one goal down to beat Man City last week, a point salvaged in the last minute at the DW, remains two points lost. Thankfully Arsenal were unable to beat another big team, so Champions League qualification remains in our own hands, but it does mean the Chelsea game is growing in its importance.  SKY with very little else to be decided this term, must be rubbing their money scented hands with glee.

[linequote]After coming from one goal down to beat Man City last week, a point salvaged in the last minute at the DW, remains two points lost[/linequote]

Bale’s impressive double at the PFA Awards on Sunday night makes him only the third ever player to collect both trophies in the same season. The first man to do so was “friend to women” Andy Gray; the second was serial Veet user Cristiano Ronaldo. It is a measure of how far Spurs have come, that at the end of each season our individuals are considered worthy of acclaim, but we must start to ensure we become a team worthy of similar praise.

Manchester United strolled to this season’s title with perhaps their weakest looking squad in a decade. They did sign Robin Van Persie and former Spur Michael Carrick was inspired at times, but the squad remains workman-like at best. Where United excelled this year, as they have done many times when faced with apparently more powerful opponents is in building belief and retaining it.

[linequote]Third or fourth is much more important than the appreciation of the individual, especially with five big games to go[/linequote]

Chelsea and Man City may have out spent them again, but they had the strength of character, which is ultimately priceless.

Tottenham now need to ensure that they have something similar. Scott Parker, Michael Dawson and Andre Villas-Boas can talk all day about destiny and spirit, but if we don’t see it on the pitch this Saturday and in every one of our remaining games, then it’s is nothing more than PR spiel. Belief and spirit needs to last for 90 minutes, we can not continue to rely on brief episodes to rescue us.

I am a self proclaimed AVBeliever, but the knack his team has of coming in and out of games is worrying. It seems we are unable to keep the intensity and focus for the duration of a match. This is what the team needs to work on. We have won plenty of games this season by conjuring up brief moments of intensity, however if we fail to capitalise in those moments the game tends to pass us by.

On Saturday against Southampton we have a rare but welcome 3pm kick off at the Lane. This weekend the Saints were thrashed 3-0 by West Brom and all signs point to them already being in holiday mode, hopefully this continues in North London.

[linequote]It seems we are unable to keep the intensity and focus for the duration of a match[/linequote]

Arsenal meanwhile travel to Loftus Road to face Harry Redknapp’s relegated band of mercenaries and overweight footballers. If we were to look for a favour this weekend, West London would be the last on my “Where to look for miracles” list. However perhaps now the players have been officially consigned to the Championship, they will attempt to put themselves back in the shop window.

Instead we must hope that Manchester United continue their push to finish with as many points as possible when they face Chelsea. Thanks to our 2-2 draw with Wigan, I think it is the Blues not the Reds that we are now chasing. Arsenal’s uncanny ability to swot away the weak teams should seem them through to collect another Wenger Cup.

We need to ensure that when the 8^th May fixture arrives, we are level on points with Chelsea. This will pile the pressure on the home side and ensure the onus is on them, they may not need Champions League football to curb their summer spending, but it may have an effect on whether or not their Special One returns for a second time.

In the mean time I would like to wish Bale huge congratulations on wining the PFA double, please remember though, you may have your rewards, but we are still waiting for ours. This season is far from over.