Dare to dream?

Don’t say it. Don’t even think it. But it’s starting to get to a point where my inherent anxiety and caution are being overcome by the evidence that plays out on a weekly basis – that Spurs might be at a point of achieving – well, maybe best not say it. We’ve been here before. It’s Spurs.

The concept of being Spursy is a nod to the fact that the footballing gods have been particularly cruel to us. All teams suffer disappointments, but for us it’s more like outright humiliation. It’s been pretty desperate at times.

2006. After years of mediocrity and lower mid table finishes, we went into the last game of the season in 4th. A win and we would qualify for the Champions League. Better yet, it would have been at the expense of Woolwich, the year they were moving into their new stadium. Finally stepping out of their shadow, and into the light. Bragging rights for at least a year, and maybe more, as they would have a financial mountain to climb, repaying the debt on a new stadium with only Europa League money to count on. We got diarrhoea and lost to West Ham.

[linequote]Laugh along with it. Don’t get excited. Expect to be let down. It’ll hurt less in the long run. And yet here we are again.[/linequote]

2012, and the most talented Spurs squad in a generation produced the most Spursy of seasons. Squandering a 12 point lead over Woolwich and even an outside shot at the title, we finished 4th and Chelsea, of all teams, won the champions league, meaning that we didn’t get to be in it – the only team in Europe to date that has suffered this fate. Let the mocking begin.

There’s more, so much more. Too much to list. In both the above cases, there was a sense of the inevitable. We’ve become stoical. We’ve had to. Embracing and yet hating our inherent fragility, our ability to put ourselves in such good positions, only to look like fools when the inevitable happened and it all blew up in our faces. How to deal with this? Laugh along with it. Don’t get excited. Expect to be let down. It’ll hurt less in the long run. And yet here we are again.

This season spluttered, rather than exploded, into life. We started slowly, without a win in the first four games. Kane struggling to score and, as was very well publicised, no recognised striker to call on to back him up. It never takes long for the murmurings to creep in, and this was no exception. Ineptitude in the transfer market. No plan B. Kane’s been found out. Levy out. Poch the wrong man for the job.

Embarrassing.

A record breaking unbeaten run and some fantastic performances later, and things were looking decidedly more healthy. Hidings were dished out to West Ham and Manchester City, as well as a game at the Emirates that really should have yielded three points rather than one.

All things must end, and for our unbeaten run the end came against Newcastle, at home. In some ways it was a relief, as it had started to feel like a burden. Playing not to lose, to keep the run going, rather than going all in to win. The defeat proved to be a kick up the backside. We won three and drew one of the next four games. Back on track. We lost to Leicester soon after, which was more damaging, as it has given them some momentum back, as well as re-establishing their lead over us, but again, we bounced straight back.

This season we’ve lost only five games in all competitions. We’ve not lost by more than one goal in any of those, and we’ve not lost two in a row. We’ve taken a lot of points from losing positions – at least twelve that I can think of. We have the best defensive record in the league, without losing attacking potency. We have the joint best goal difference. None of this +2 nonsense. We’re up in the 20s and it’s only January. That never happens. We’re defending well and winning big at times.

[linequote]So where does that leave us? Outsiders, but much closer than we ever dared hope[/linequote]

There is strength in depth. We have decent cover for Hugo – as good as we could hope for, unless we want someone who’s going to agitate for more playing time, or a move if he doesn’t get it. We have great options at full back. Defensively sound Ben Davies, or attacking verve and a bit of spite from Danny Rose? Searing pace from Walker, or pinpoint crossing from Trippier? Centre half may be an issue if Toby picks up a knock, but then Dier can step back in there. Wimmer looks like good cover for Jan, and has been patient in waiting for his chance. He is needed now.

It’s in midfield that we look strongest. The defensive two can consist of any of Dembele, Dier, Bentaleb, Mason, Alli, Winks, or Carroll. The attacking three made up of Eriksen, Lamela, Chadli, Son, Alli, Dembele, Onomah, N’Jie. It’s a many headed beast, where the players are interchangeable. When one player is out, another can seamlessly move in. We can cope with injuries and losses of form in all areas.

All bar one. Without Kane, we would struggle. Son or N’Jie might do us a job, but it would mean us needing to change how we play. But, even here, there was an interesting rumour that Poch isn’t so worried about signing cover, as he’s thinking that Alli could step up and play up top if needed, and who can question him, given the performances this season of the out-of-position Eric Dier?

I was reading the other day that Poch was saying that his greatest pleasure is watching the development of young players, helping them to achieve their dreams. A beautiful way to put it. Like any good manager, he doesn’t publically claim any credit, he passes it down. But it is impossible not to recognise his achievements.

He came in, and quickly sorted the wheat from the chaff. He made Kaboul captain and Ade vice captain. Poor choices? Or giving them enough rope? The bad apples and deadwood dealt with, he’s promoted youth and nurtured talent. So many young players coming through. He’s got the best out of players we thought were finished. Lamela. Dembele. Tom Carroll has had his chance to shine. And to think we wanted LVG. Just think about that for a minute. LVG, Spurs manager. Actually, let’s not.

Significantly, Poch has been supported by Levy where AVB was not, and seems to have some influence. Getting Ade out the door while we’re still paying his wages must have taken some doing, and there are rumours that he’s even persuaded Levy to drop the asking price on Townsend in order to hasten his departure. Next up it’s water to wine.

Most importantly, I am loving Spurs right now more than I have in years. The mixture of youth, home grown players and a true sense that the players are buying into the club, as well as the success that we are currently enjoying on the pitch, is intoxicating. We are building a team for the future, undoubtedly, but how far can we go this year?

In the most topsy-turvy season on record, we have been consistent. We haven’t won enough, but we’ve hardly lost either. Assuming, as most do, that Leicester will do the decent thing and fall away at some point (though we have all been waiting for that to happen for about 3 months so far), we are two points behind the two teams that most people are saying will be fighting it out for the crown.

[linequote]It’s not like Bale Hotspur – so dependent on that one world class player that would, inevitably, leave us[/linequote]

For all that they have Aguero, Silva, Toure, De Bruyne and Sterling, City just aren’t the same team without Kompany, and he is injury prone – and out for the rest of the season. They concede too many, and have taken a few hidings (including at the Lane) – they just don’t feel like champions. Watch them win it now.

Woolwich, sadly, are looking far more solid than they have in years. It’s the time of year when they tend to capitulate. Let’s see if it happens this time out. Painful as it is, it feels like they are the favourites this time out.

So where does that leave us? Outsiders, but much closer than we ever dared hope. With United floundering under LVG, Chelsea a long way back and Liverpool (and, I suspect, their manager) frankly overrated, our chances of a top four finish are good. A dream of the title remains just that at the minute. Should we let ourselves go and really run with the thought that we could be champions? Open ourselves up to more hurt and ridicule?

To me, the answer has to be yes. We have to enjoy it while we can. It’s what football is. We have to be realistic. The team is young, so inevitably consistency is an issue. Europe starts again soon and the fixture list has been generous. There are trials ahead and we may fall away.

But it does feel a bit different this time. Heart ruling head? I don’t think so, and I have thought about it a lot. We have grown a backbone. There are firm foundations and a depth of squad the like of which I can’t recall us having. It’s not like Bale Hotspur – so dependent on that one world class player that would, inevitably, leave us. It’s not like that Redknapp team, a supercharged engine of a side which was great when we were tearing along full pelt, but when it failed, it blew in spectacular fashion.

This time, it feels sustainable. It feels like you can trust it, if you dare. Time will tell on that.