Glorious Failure?

As I write this, Spurs are currently second in the Premier League having just won their last ten games at home. Spurs also have an FA Cup Semi Final against Chelsea to look forward to. So why I’m filled with such an eternal pessimistic anxiety?

I think it’s fair to say that I wouldn’t be the only Spurs fan, who, instead of seeing Tottenham’s ascent towards the top of the table as nothing but positive, instead sees it as yet another opportunity for glorious or not so glorious failure. Indeed, emblazoned across the hoardings at White Hart Lane are the famous words of Danny Blanchflower: “The Game is About Glory”. These are fine words and the full quote is one of my favourite as it epitomises what Tottenham Hotspur stands for at least in terms of its’ history and fans want and need for the game to be played ‘the right way’. However, pre-Pochettino and despite a spell of wonderful entertainment under Harry Redknapp, the game, and certainly the game that has been played by Tottenham has been anything but Glorious. I suppose I was unfortunate to grow up in the 90’s; a decade that started so well and quickly spiralled out of control into a sort of footballing purgatory in which we had to wince and cower as the ball entered the vicinity of the likes of Stuart Nethercott or used car salesman lookalike and all round wanker Jason Cundy.

There will obviously be Spurs fans out there from a different generation; a generation fortunate enough to see the ‘glory days’ or at worst the opportunity to see Spurs fail gloriously. I’m 33 and having missed most of the 91 cup final to visit a garden centre with my mum, the closest I’ve seen Spurs get to glory is winning the League Cup a couple of times. Admittedly beating Woolwich and then Chelsea to win the League Cup in 2008 was great, but one can’t help but think both of those clubs had their sights set on bigger prizes. Even in 2010 when we entertained Europe’s elite; playing some wonderful football and allowing Gareth Bale to come to the fore, we were subsequently thumped by Real Madrid. There was certainly no shame in being beaten by Real Madrid, but there was no glory in it either; just a reminder of where we’d one day like to be.

But things have moved on since then. Spurs feel like they are going in the right direction under an inspirational, passionate and calculating manager. We have a new stadium to look forward to and most important of all; Spurs are playing some great football. So, what could possibly go wrong? Well, that’s the point isn’t it, it’s Tottenham Hotspur, anything and everything could go wrong. The biggest challenge for Pochettino and Tottenham is to transition from the Premier Leagues youngest and most promising team to a team of seasoned winners. And then, ‘when my eyes have seen the glory of the cups at White Hart Lane’ and only then will I even come close to be being slightly less anxious.

If you like to place a bet there are many sites available. You can use this Sportingbet promotional code to get some great deals and tips.