There are some pessimistic Spurs fans about!
Despite Sunday's great result against our nemesis from the wrong end of Seven Sisters Road (loosely speaking of course), I have seen so much pessimism amongst Spurs fans that I've questioned my own optimism about our current situation.
Yes, it's right to remain "cautiously optimistic", but pessimism is surely out of bounds for any right-minded Spurs fan. Remember, we are seven points clear of Arsenal with just 10 games to go. We haven't been beaten in the Premier League in 12 games since early December. We are winning headlines for all the right reasons. The morale in the Spurs camp could surely not be higher.
Those pessimist comments make reference to Arsenal's easier run-in (true), and the fear that if they win the Champions League while we finish top four, and they finish outside the top four, we would lose out just like last year (crackpot). Perhaps I mix with the wrong fans!
Let's enjoy the moment; relish the form we are in at present, and savour the fine goals being served up - not just by Gareth Bale.
We are now one point better off than we were after 28 games last season, and in far better form, and spirits. We are also two points better off than last season in matches against the same, or comparitive opposition. (Find the link for the very latest "Like for Like" table here)
This time last year we had just lost our third consecutive Premier League game. We were still in third place, but ONLY ONE POINT AHEAD of Arsenal, who ultimately managed to finish just one point above us. That third consecutive defeat was at Goodison Park, and had been preceded by a 5-2 at The Emirates, and a 3-1 home defeat by Man United. We won four of our last 10 games, and can do better this season, with our fixtures including home games against Fulham, Everton, Southampton and Sunderland. Potential away victims are Wigan and Stoke, and perhaps Swansea, who have won the League Cup, and might yet fall into cruise control with European football assured.
Yes, we have some tough games at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, and Man City have yet to call at White Hart Lane, but these are all teams in need of points, who will come at us, and allow us to play our effective counter-attacking game.
We are Spurs. We need fear no-one. Remember we beat the hot favourites for this season's title away from home, and didn't lose to them at home either!
I am looking forward to the rest of the season. I relish each game. This week's fare against Inter, then Liverpool away looks mouth-watering. I am confident, much more confident than at this point last season that we will finish in the top four - perhaps even better.
Your man of the match for the Arsenal game was Jan Vertonghen, back in his very best form. Gareth Bale's goal (16 in the league, 20 in all competitions now) was nominated in the top five goals of the week, but Aaron Lennon's goal was technically equally exciting, perhaps because of Scott Parker's defence-splitting ball. Gylfi Sigurdsson of course provided similar service for Bale's goal.
· Over 350 people took part in this week's Spursometer. Thanks for all your votes and comments.
Results 02-04.02.13
Chelsea 1-0 West Brom
Everton 3-1 Reading
Man Utd 4-0 Norwich
S'hampton 1-2 QPR
Stoke 0-1 West Ham
S'derland 2-2 Fulham
Swansea 1-0 Newcastle
Wigan 0-4 Liverpool
Spurs 2-1 Arsenal
A. Villa 0-1 Man City
Barclays Premier League
P W D L F-A GD Pts
1. Man Utd 28 23 2 3 66-31 37 71
2. Man City 28 17 8 3 51-24 27 59
3. Spurs 28 16 6 6 49-33 16 54
4. Chelsea 28 15 7 6 56-30 26 52
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5. Arsenal 28 13 8 7 53-32 21 47
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6. Everton 28 11 12 5 44-35 9 45
7. Liverpool 28 11 9 8 53-34 19 42
8. Swansea 28 10 10 8 39-34 5 40
9. West Brom 28 12 4 12 38-37 1 40
10. Fulham 28 8 9 11 39-44 -5 33
11. Stoke 28 7 12 9 26-33 -7 33
12. West Ham 28 9 6 13 32-41 -9 33
13. Norwich 28 7 11 10 27-45 -19 32
14. S'derland 28 7 9 12 31-38 -7 30
15. Newcastle 28 8 6 14 38-49 -11 30
16. S'hampton 28 6 9 13 39-51 -12 27
17. Wigan 28 6 6 16 33-55 -22 24
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18. A. Villa 28 5 9 14 26-53 -27 24
19. Reading 28 5 8 15 34-54 -20 23
20. QPR 28 3 11 14 21-44 -23 20
