Arsenal
We’ve gained the Europa Trophy, so thanks and goodbye, Ange.
We’ve gained the Europa League in what was a really poor season for us. Sure, it was a pitiable competitors, however we gained, which provides us an entrance into the world’s hardest contest, the Champions League. And we acquired there by overstepping better-quality groups that had been greater up the Premium League desk than we had been. Sure, we completed in seventeenth place, simply above the relegation zone. Did we deserve the trophy? After all, we gained the competitors that gave us the important thing to unlock the golden field. All it now wants is for Levy to put money into the group, in order that now we have high quality on and off the bench to problem for high honours. Moreover, because of the poor season, we’d like a supervisor who can construct that group, and it isn’t Ange.
The final time I wrote my weblog, we nonetheless had the Europa Cup remaining to deal with, in addition to matches in opposition to Palace, Villa, and Brighton within the league… We gained the Europa League in opposition to a really poor United aspect, two competing failures. It was additionally the ultimate the place one other document was damaged: we had been the bottom league-positioned groups to compete on this competitors’s historical past, beating the earlier document held by West Ham and a few European non-entity. That reveals you the worth of the Europa League competitors…
… as for our final remaining league matches… all defeats; Palace beat us at dwelling 2-0, Villa beat us away 2-0, and at last Brighton humiliated us 4-1 on the day we paraded the European trophy across the Tottenham stadium. Clearly, the group didn’t need to flip up for that recreation both.
We misplaced twenty league video games out of 38, a Premier League document for us… and all Ange needed to say was that season three can be even higher? What!! Will we end sixteenth? He’s acquired to go. Daniel Levy loves sacking individuals, particularly after we win or get to finals. Juande Ramos, after profitable the League Cup in 2008, Pochettino took us to the UEFA Champions League remaining, however was then sacked. Mourinho took us to the League Cup remaining, however was sacked earlier than he may lead the group out in that remaining. It doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a serial winner or a failure; you’ll get the sack as a result of Levy doesn’t again managers with cash. You both obtain success on a pittance otherwise you go. Investments will solely go into constructing his empire, and one small a part of that empire is slightly factor referred to as a soccer group.
However we’re within the Champions League, and Fabio Paratici is returning to Tottenham after being suspended by UEFA. Will that make a distinction…? Who is aware of, time will inform. I’ve heard by means of the grapevine that when Paratici returns, will probably be his resolution whether or not Ange stays or goes, taking a number of the flak off Levy.
On a optimistic observe, it was a fantastic spectacle to be within the remaining, though the match was with two very poor sides, with United solely barely forward within the poor stakes.
After the sport: we stayed for about an hour afterwards to look at the presentation and the gamers strolling across the pitch, applauding us as we applauded them. I acquired my memento programme and two Cup remaining shirts with the ultimate embossed on them (one for Janette).
We had arrived in Madrid on Tuesday, flew to Santander after which took a taxi to the stadium in Bilbao. Bilbao was nothing particular, many of the retailers had been closed (most likely due to the imaginary worry of English hooligans rampaging by means of the streets, looting, pillaging and raping their residents). About 5 o’clock, we made our option to the stadium and had been able to queue as much as get in. Our tickets had been on our telephones. As soon as inside, we made our option to our seats. No alcohol was obtainable, simply delicate drinks and non-alcoholic beer… and naturally the standard hotdogs, sweets… common crap…
After the sport, we took a taxi again to the resort, acquired three hours of sleep, after which headed to the airport. Lastly arriving dwelling at 6 pm. A few days later, Janette, Mel, and I made our option to the stadium to witness our sensible victory over Brighton… solely it wasn’t, or perhaps a victory; it was simply again to our shedding methods within the league. However the followers had been proud of our show of the trophy. I believed that if we gained properly, it is perhaps motive sufficient for Ange to remain, however all it did was affirm that he ought to go and go shortly.
As for the Last itself…
We ended our 17-year look forward to a trophy as Brennan Johnson’s first-half aim was sufficient to beat a poor Manchester United within the Europa League remaining.
Our victory means Ange Postecoglou has fulfilled a promise to ship silverware in his second season.
Postecoglou, earlier than the sport, stated “he would by no means be a clown,” however it didn’t cease the media, non-Spurs supporters nonetheless laughing at our poor league and Cup performances, the FA Cup early knockout and our give up to Liverpool within the League Cup semi-final second leg.
Hopefully, victory won’t save Postecoglou from a Spurs exit within the coming weeks. But, he’ll go away as a hero after becoming a member of Invoice Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw by profitable a European trophy.
We additionally joined the likes of Newcastle and Crystal Palace in making this a season of glory for golf equipment who not often win trophies, and Tottenham, sadly, are actually in that grouping (it by no means was once that means till Levy took over). Nonetheless, we set to profit from a £100m windfall after qualifying for subsequent season’s Champions League. We achieved a trophy and Champions League placement, whereas Arsenal solely secured a second-place place for his or her efforts; the identical goes for Metropolis, which ended up behind the Gooners (we laughed!!).
We had been two of the lowest-placed groups ever to contest a European remaining. For the losers, there was no silver lining however extra distress and debt added to their continued failings.
Our aim in opposition to United was scruffy, with some debate over whether or not Johnson acquired the final contact, and was completely consistent with the tepid home seasons of two underperforming sides. Nonetheless, nobody at Spurs will care about that.
On an evening of clear rigidity and nerves, it was all the time prone to require slightly little bit of luck to say victory.
Whichever means you have a look at it, good or unhealthy… we acquired the trophy and can be in subsequent season’s Champions League. As for United, they’ll proceed to battle and attempt to escape that quagmire that’s pulling them right down to oblivion (hopefully!!!).
I have to additionally point out Micky Van de Van’s heroic show: Whereas we had been main 1-0, the United thought that they had scored with a header from Rasmus Hojlund. However that was with out relying on a spectacular save as Micky van de Van overhead kicked the ball heading in direction of an open aim mouth to security. Two heroes on the night time: Van de Van and Johnson, who will go down in Spurs historical past.
It isn’t over for us but, loyal Tottenham supporters (it by no means is beneath Levy), as we wait to see what our director’s subsequent transfer is. No matter that’s, it can go the identical means all Levy’s soccer transactions go – down the sink for the sake of penny pitching for his different money-making initiatives.
What worries me is that he has gained one other trophy in 20-odd years of overseeing our soccer group; it’d make him complacent and suppose, “We gained one other trophy with so little, perhaps we are able to do it once more? And I can get monetary savings.” God assist us if he does!!!!!
Up the Spurs!
Glenn
My identify is Glenn Renshaw.
I’m presently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) within the new stadium. Earlier than that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in varied components of the bottom (primarily within the North stand).
Earlier than changing into a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and varied different components of the bottom for the reason that Fifties. In 1987 I grew to become one of many first to carry a Spurs Membership card. I used to be additionally a life lengthy member of the Spurs supporters membership (now defunct).
I am going to all dwelling, away and overseas matches.
I used to be born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was within the late 50s – as a child – that my dad took me to Spurs to provoke me). I presently stay in Berkshire.
I additionally gather all Spurs books (and have everybody printed), Spurs handbooks (from Twenties onwards, Spurs programmes (for the reason that 40s).
Beforehand, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Second, My Eyes have seen the Glory and varied different Spurs fanzines’. I additionally wrote for the SpursWeb app & its web site.
I presently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its web site. I write its Evaluations & Match reviews and much more.
My different pursuits are; studying, historical past, social historical past, Politics, going to the gymnasium, wine, going out for a meal, music (all kinds), writing, theatre, concert events, holidays, socialising and so forth.
I’ve been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
Should you want to learn extra of my weblog, please click on “right here”
