My Spurs

How did you become a Spurs fan?

Family heritage. My dad is a massive fan and he took me to my first game, he raised my brother on them as well and basically I grew up in a Tottenham atmosphere, even though we didn’t go to that many games.

First Game?

My first game was in 1996 or 97. It was Leeds United at White Hart Lane and we won 1-0. Not the most thrilling of games but as a young child, you couldn’t care less. Darren Anderton scored - I was under the impression it was Teddy Sheringham until, on the train home, someone asked me what who scored and my dad corrected me after I had misinformed the stranger!

How often do you get to see them now?

Not as regularly as I would want. Limited tickets and expensive prices mean that I get to a handful every season, usually the cup games. I’m looking to become a member next season, though, so with any luck I should get to a lot more games. The only thing not to benefit will be my wallet.

Most Memorable moment?

There’s loads. You always get entertainment as a Spurs fan, even if there is painful disappointment to match it. Notable moments are both League Cup wins over the last 10 years, especially the Chelsea one this season. Beating Arsenal, the few times I’ve actually seen us do it! Pedro Mendes’ halfway line ‘goal’ against Man Utd. Erik Edman’s 45 yard missile at Anfield. Beating Pompey 4-3, days after losing 4-3 to Man City. Beating Leeds 2-0 in an FA Cup replay and the goals from Darren Anderton and David Ginola. One moment was particularly special, even if it is a bit bittersweet. The game that Arsenal won the title at White Hart Lane - Robbie Keane scored a brilliant last minute penalty to tie the game for us. It still meant that Arsenal won the league but it pretty much kept us up that year and it was an amazing moment.

Have you met any Spurs players?

Unfortunately no. Nowadays, these Premier League stars are scarcely seen near us mortals! I have applauded Darren Anderton from 10 yards away at an AFC Bournemouth end of season lap of honour, does that count?

Favourite Current player?

Ledley King is a colossal player. He really is so good, literally, the rock of our side. Injuries, however, have severely limited his appearances so when he’s not around it has to be either the genius that is Dimitar Berbatov or the giant presence that is Tom Huddlestone.

Describe last season. How did it affect you?

Take the Carling Cup out of the equation and its an awful season. But, we did win it, so it will go down as a mixed season, yet another season of transition. There were some superb performances and we still look the 5th best team in the country when we our at our best but we did put out some awful displays at times. It was frustrating but the continued hope and knowledge that we can do better got me through the season. And how many trophies have those mugs at Arsenal won in the last three years? Sweet FA.

What are your hopes for next season?

Well, I am a realist. And I’m not going to keep saying that we can do better each season and then watch us fail. But, I think we do have the raw ingredients to do well. A lot will depend on Ramos’ signings and who he decides to let go. If Berbatov stays then brilliant. If he leaves then fine, lets just replace him with a decent player. I’d take top four. If that’s not possible then top five or six and a shot at another trophy would be brilliant.

Choose your all time Spurs eleven.

Paul Robinson in goal. Steve Carr or Alan Hutton at right back with the Swedish genius Erik Edman at left back. Ledley King would captain the side and partners Sol Campbell at the back, even though he is a twat. David Ginola takes up the left wing with Simon Davies on the right. Michael Carrick is in midfield alongside Pedro Mendes. And as for up front, it has to be Teddy Sheringham and anyone from Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Gary Linekar, Jurgen Klinnsmann and Jermain Defoe. And after much deliberation, I’ve picked Berbatov purely because of his ability and his nonchalance.

The thing I hate about Tottenham is…

The inconsistency. The continued potential and the usual disappointment. The fact that we never pull off surprise results against big teams. The occasionally awful signings (Ricardo Rocha, Noe Pamarot, Lee Young Pyo, Paul Stalteri, etc). The area around White Hart Lane.

The thing I love about Tottenham is…

The football. We play so brilliantly at times it makes you lose your breath. The kit. The superb players (Berbatov, Ginola, King, Keane, etc). The stadium and the atmosphere. The fact that Arsenal fans get so wound up by us and they only get mouthy when they’re doing well. The constant promise of something brilliant. Jermaine Jenas. The West Ham ’rivalry’. The all white UEFA Cup kit. Martin Jol.

The Red Summer

What a season! Even from a personal, Spurs-minded point of view, it’s been a roller coaster. The English season ended on a fittingly dramatic note last night in Moscow as Manchester United added the Champions League trophy to their Premier League crown and left Chelsea with nothing to show for their late season surge at success. There was great fun for the neutrals as disliked players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and John Terry fluffed their lines when it came to penalties and all in all it capped off one of the more entertaining season in living memory.

Where to start? Instinct points me to Arsenal. In the early parts of the season, they were flying. Bereft of Thierry Henry, they suddenly found it in themselves to dust off his departure and play amazing football. Emmanuel Adebayor looked every bit the top striker as he scored for fun and Arsenal fans typically started getting mouthy about their title chances. Typically, they cocked it up.

Somewhere between getting hammered by Spurs in the Carling Cup semi final and Wenger’s decision not to strengthen his side in January, Arsenal lost their way both physically and mentally. They went on a frustrating winless run, not losing games but failing to secure maximum points. They were destroyed by Man Utd in the FA Cup, captain William Gallas had a tantrum after the Birmingham game ended in a draw and Eduardo was ruled out for the season after a sickening challenge in the same game.

The massively entertaining Champions League game with Liverpool, which Liverpool won, ended Arsenal’s season - trophyless again. You have to wonder how much patience Arsenal fans must have. Despite the fact that Wenger is undoubtedly a fantastic coach and Arsenal are capable of some mesmeric football at times, it is now THREE years since any kind of trophy for the Gunners. All the talk of being a transitional side is wearing thin. Next year, they must deliver something.

Arsenal’s decline was mirrored by Man Utd’s steady rise. They started the season badly with defeat at Manchester City and draws with Reading and Portsmouth. However, once the amazing Cristiano Ronaldo got into gear, there was no stopping them. Ronaldo played quite sensationally, leaving opposition fans breathless with his array of tricks and skill. He finished the year top scorer as well and was heralded as the best in the world.

Add him to the collective genius of Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Ryan Giggs and it made United an irresistible force. They stayed out in front for the closing months of the season and though they lost to Chelsea taking the race to the last game of the season, they were always in the box seat and comfortably won on the last day at Wigan.

As for the Champions League, they thoroughly deserved to win it. Out muscling Barcelona in the semi final, they held their nerve against Chelsea when it looked like they would crumble. Ronaldo missed his penalty but fate was on United’s side as John Terry slipped and missed the decisive kick meaning that Van Der Sar could later save from Nicolas Anelka and win the game for the Premier League champions.

United’s defeat in the FA Cup at home to Portsmouth was one of many shocks in this years competition as none of the big four made it to the semi finals. Portsmouth went on the beat Cardiff in the final, giving Harry Redknapp a winners medal at last.

Chelsea had a poor season on paper. No trophies, despite two final appearances and a last day title race. But their season was a dramatic one. Manager Jose Mourinho was sacked early on in the season after an average start and was replaced by Avram Grant, who steadied the ship but didn’t offer much more. Or so it seemed. Chelsea were beaten in the Carling Cup final by a resurgent Tottenham but staged a late fight back to take the title down to the last day. They beat Man Utd along the way and showed tremendous character. They were eventually beaten but no-one could have forecast their involvement.

They even managed to beat Liverpool in a Champions League semi final after two defeats to them in three years at the same stage. However, luck was not on their side in Moscow and they lost on penalties. Speculation remains as to whether Avram Grant will still be in a job next year. He appears to be as tactically astute as one Joe Mourinho but Abramovich’s patience must be tested by the lack of silverware this year and don’t be surprised to see him out. It will be an interesting summer at the Bridge.

Everton won the best of the rest league with Aston Villa, Pompey and Blackburn not far behind. All of these teams look to be strengthened over the summer and you can assume they will be around the same places next year. They will likely be joined by the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham who had contrasting but still underachieving seasons. Newcastle were rid of Sam Allardyce by Christmas and although Kevin Keegan’s return did not herald instant results, they did avoid the drop and they look like a potential force.

Tottenham had a calamitous start to the year. Bad results forced out popular manager Martin Jol and in came Spaniard Juande Ramos, a successful coach with Seville. Results slowly improved and Ramos led the team to a 5-1 crushing of fierce rivals Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi final. Wembley beckoned and on a glorious day for Spurs fans, Jonathan Woodgate scored the winner in extra time as they came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1. Results severely dipped after that as Tottenham became glued to 11th place. Many put the slump down to a lack of focus after getting beaten on penalties by PSV in the UEFA Cup and Spurs are expected to be a force next year.

Personally, I think several players will need to leave Spurs and key singing will need to be made. If the brilliant Dimitar Berbatov leaves then so be it - just replace with someone good. Next year could be a good one for Tottenham - having said that, so was this year. Who knows what will happen at White Hart Lane.

In fact, who knows what will happen at all next season? Will the Man Utd dominance continue? Will Chelsea still be a force should the likes of Drogba and Lampard leave? Will Arsenal ever win something to merit their great football? And what of the new boys, West Brom, Stoke and Hull or Bristol City? Will they be the new Derby County? Or will they do well? Will Liverpool ever make a serious title bid? Will Sunderland continue their Roy Keane-inspired progress? Will the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard and John Terry EVER transfer their club form to England?

I cant wait to find out.

Oh, and, by the way, if you read my article ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, you’ll notice that I predicted a Man Utd double in both trophies. Have that.

A Tale of Two Cities

Would you believe it? Two teams, Manchester United and Chelsea, battling it out, not only for domestic supremacy but for the biggest trophy in club football as well. The titanic struggle between these two star studded teams has spread onto the European stage now as well, with the first ever all English Champions League final to be held in Moscow in May. Lets be honest, if you haven’t got a favourite out of these two sides, then you are the ultimate in fence-sitters.

Chelsea seemed to have nothing a few weeks ago. Seemingly falling behind in the title race, they had already lost the Carling Cup final earlier on in the season and they had a Champions League semi final against familiar opponents Liverpool. At half time in that first leg, it appeared that manager Avram Grant would be out of a job by the end of year. 1-0 down, they had been outplayed by Liverpool and were seemingly heading out of Europe.

With the last touch of the game, Liverpool’s John Arne Riise scored a terrible own goal and Chelsea had escaped with a 1-1 draw and a vital away goal. Was it about to get easier for Grant and Chelsea? No chance. Man Utd visited Stamford Bridge that Saturday, knowing that a win would all but seal their Premier League title. Even after Michael Ballack had scored, Man Utd were able to level and it looked like more disappointment for the Blues. However, they were not to be denied and after a Michael Carrick handball, Ballack scored his second to give Chelsea victory.

Last night’s nervy victory over Liverpool has sent Chelsea to their first Champions League final and they are level on points with Man Utd, with two games to play in the league. From nowhere, they have resurrected their season in quite dramatic style. Go back to February and say to anyone that Chelsea could end the season with a League and Champions League double. Did you get laughed at? I thought so. It is a great fight back from this group of players, who have had their commitment and desire questioned all season. It is certainly good news for the neutrals, who finally have a title race heading to the wire.

Man Utd, for their part, played brilliantly to defeat Barcelona in the semi finals. It may not have been the most attractive football but you wouldn’t substitute good play for defeat, would you? Besides Man Utd have some amazing players at their disposal. Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargreaves, Anderson… the list does, indeed, go on and on. They have also played some scintillating football domestically this season. No one can argue that should they win either trophy, that they would not deserve it.

Their slip up at Stamford Bridge last week should be looked at as just that: a slip up. A blip. Their remaining two matches should be won, also West Ham are something of a banana skin for Sir Alex’s men. They would certainly be happier with these games than Chelsea’s - away to Newcastle and home to Bolton. United’s crushing attacking play makes them my favourites to win the title. But what about that little matter of a Champions League final in Moscow?

Both teams play differently in cups, even more so in Europe. And while United are capable of playing fast, free flowing, exciting football, I wouldn’t expect them to in this game. Anyone who saw (or stayed awake for) the FA Cup final between these two teams last year will remember just how defensively and dull they played. Believe me, both teams are desperate not to lose and I believe this will lead to another dull, defensive final. Football purists can argue all they want, people like me can moan all we want - the fact is both teams want to win and will set out to do so no matter how.

For my part, I don’t think Chelsea are as good as United. I think those who are hailing Avram Grant as ‘The New Special One’ are extremely fickle. He is a poor substitute for Jose Mourinho, with nowhere near as much tactical nous or inspiration. Not long ago, he was being derided for his lack of talent as a coach. One win later and Chelsea fans have changed their tune. United, on the other hand, are a well managed and extremely talented group of players. They have an unstoppable desire to win and coupled with the genius of players like Ronaldo and Rooney, I believe they will edge this game, too.

So in my books, that’s a league and European cup double for Man Utd. It would be harsh on Chelsea given their impressive late comeback. But what a success story for Sir Alex and his men. The rivalry between these two teams has developed interestingly over the last few years and should either team claim victory in both, then the bragging rights would be well and truly won. Both sides have a lot to do still and, for sure, this tale of two cities will run on and on long into the next few years.