I'm sickened by the result, probably more than last week. Once again I'm the lone Spur in a pub surrounded by United fans who don't know just how good they've got it. This was a decent performance (we're ahead on all the stats apart from goals scored - and yes, I do know that's what counts), but I've seen it before. When we're good, we lose, when we're bad, we lose. Each game against them I put on a pessimistic front but inside I'm far more hopeful, I get believing that this could be the one... It pains me that we won't get another chance to stop the rot in at least six months. No victory would give me greater pleasure.
Anyway, I'm steadily recovering, and here are a few optimistic points about our current lead over 4th.
1. Everyone was saying this hard run of games, which is nearly over, would test us. Some even said that if we came out of the spell 4 or 5 points behind 4th place, we would be in good shape. This is the advantage of building up a hefty lead - you can fuck up a bit and still be ahead.
2. The 'momentum' may be with Woolwich and not with Spurs now, but I'd rather be in our position. I watch a lot of 5 set tennis, and as I rule I tend to think there are at least 2 changes of momentum in a match. I.e. it's better to go up a set or two (or 10 or 12 points) and lose a bit of your advantage than the other way round, because the match (or season) is so long that there will probably be another swing your way before too long - players and teams rarely sustain good or bad form for the whole stretch, not matter how bleak things may seem from watching the last game.
3. A bit like point one, it's only because we've lost a more commanding lead that our plight looks concerning. To be level, or even a few points outside the top 4, would have been a good position for Spurs at this stage of the season. If we'd been behind all season and snuck to within a point of 3rd or 4th we'd probably be licking our lips. As it is, we have it far better, but are more worried. That's just the way it goes.
So nothing revolutionary, but it might help those on the road to recovery after this dodgy week.
Anyway, I'm steadily recovering, and here are a few optimistic points about our current lead over 4th.
1. Everyone was saying this hard run of games, which is nearly over, would test us. Some even said that if we came out of the spell 4 or 5 points behind 4th place, we would be in good shape. This is the advantage of building up a hefty lead - you can fuck up a bit and still be ahead.
2. The 'momentum' may be with Woolwich and not with Spurs now, but I'd rather be in our position. I watch a lot of 5 set tennis, and as I rule I tend to think there are at least 2 changes of momentum in a match. I.e. it's better to go up a set or two (or 10 or 12 points) and lose a bit of your advantage than the other way round, because the match (or season) is so long that there will probably be another swing your way before too long - players and teams rarely sustain good or bad form for the whole stretch, not matter how bleak things may seem from watching the last game.
3. A bit like point one, it's only because we've lost a more commanding lead that our plight looks concerning. To be level, or even a few points outside the top 4, would have been a good position for Spurs at this stage of the season. If we'd been behind all season and snuck to within a point of 3rd or 4th we'd probably be licking our lips. As it is, we have it far better, but are more worried. That's just the way it goes.
So nothing revolutionary, but it might help those on the road to recovery after this dodgy week.
