Hats off to Harry Redknapp!
It has been a great week for Spurs, and it could be one which will go down as being one of the pivotal moments of the season.
While we were beating Fulham and progressing to our 18th FA Cup semi-final, two of our opponents for fourth place were playing catch-up and have now played the same number of games as Spurs. Manchester City failed dramatically at home to Everton (who are in the race for Europe with a great burst of late season form), and Aston Villa could only draw at home to Sunderland, having also dropped a point to Wolves at the week-end.
Whatever happens to Spurs now, there can be no arguing that this is the best end to a season for many years, as we compete not only in the FA Cup, but also have a major role to play in the Premier League run-in for ourselves and for each of the three teams competing for the title.
When was it last as exciting as this to be a Spurs fan? Yes, it is true to say that there could yet be major disappointment ahead, with four crucial games in a row in April against Portsmouth (semi-final), Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. However, each of those games should be more open than most this season when we have faced defensive formations. Our opponents will be playing to win, and Spurs will have every chance to express themselves in these games.
When we have played the top three, we will have a clear idea of where we stand in the fourth place contest, but our opponents also have tricky games to come. Man City face Man Utd at home, Arsenal away, and ourselves at Eastlands in the penultimate league game of the season. They also face Villa on 1st May.
Liverpool have the best run-in, with their toughest game being at home to Chelsea. Villa have to play Chelsea away, and also face Everton at home.
You can add to the equation those banana skin games that all teams face, where anything could happen. The fact is that Spurs do have their destiny in their own hands.
Whatever happens, I'll take my hat off now to Harry Redknapp, who faces a personal (court) challenge in April, the day after we play Arsenal. Harry has not always been the best tactician in my view this season, but from the brink of disaster in 2008, he has led us to all this excitement, and potential achievement. So, I say thanks to Harry and all the team for what we have done so far this season, and what could yet come!
Results 20-24.03.10
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
A. Villa 2-2 Wolves
Everton 2-0 Bolton
P'tsmouth 3-2 Hull
Stoke 1-2 Spurs
S'derland 3-1 B'mingham
Wigan 1-0 Burnley
Blackburn 1-1 Chelsea
Fulham 1-2 Man City
Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool
West Ham 1-3 Wolves
A. Villa 1-1 S'derland
Blackburn 2-1 B'mingham
Man City 0-2 Everton
P'tsmouth 0-5 Chelsea
Barclays Premier League
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Man Utd 31 22 3 6 72 25 47 69
2 Chelsea 31 21 5 5 75 28 47 68
3 Arsenal 31 21 4 6 73 33 40 67
4 Spurs 30 16 7 7 55 29 26 55
5 Man City 30 14 11 5 55 39 16 53
6 Liverpool 31 15 6 10 50 32 18 51
7 A. Villa 30 13 12 5 42 25 17 51
8 Everton 31 13 9 9 50 42 8 48
9 B'mingham 31 12 8 11 32 36 -4 44
10 Fulham 30 10 8 12 33 34 -1 38
11 Blackburn 31 10 8 13 34 50 -16 38
12 Stoke 30 8 12 10 29 35 -6 36
13 S'derland 31 8 11 12 41 47 -6 35
14 Bolton 31 8 8 15 36 57 -21 32
15 Wolves 31 8 7 16 28 50 -22 31
16 Wigan 31 8 7 16 29 59 -30 31
17 West Ham 31 6 9 16 38 54 -16 27
18 Burnley 31 6 6 19 31 64 -33 24
19 Hull 30 5 9 16 29 64 -35 24
20 P'tsmouth 31 6 4 21 28 58 -30 13
*Portsmouth deducted 9 points on 17.03.10.
