The lasting effects of this horrible slaughter could reverberate down the years. Not because of
the score we've shipped five against them before and we'll do so again in my lifetime. Not even
because the top two have left us far behind in their wake. No, it's because after this, how we can
trust our Spurs again?
The lasting effects of this horrible slaughter could reverberate down the years. Not because of
the score we've shipped five against them before and we'll do so again in my lifetime. Not even
because the top two have left us far behind in their wake. No, it's because after this, how we can
trust our Spurs again?
He's taken us ten points clear of the rest, laid hands on the lame and made them score, and
thwarted the combined might of the taxman and the Crown Prosecution Service. Yesterday, he couldn't
resist the impulse to fiddle around with the formation, and it didn't come off. After all that,
Harry's only human.
We were in our places a few minutes earlier than usual, standing not sitting, hopping around not
so much to stave off the bitter cold, more in excited anticipation. Even the veterans haven't seen
anything like this.
The players had a prematch kickabout, the mascot's nervous pride shone through as they found a
hero to play with, but all eyes were on the tunnel.
The public are comfortable with Harry Redknapp. His rumpled, down-to-earth persona harks back to
a bygone era before football became a commercial monster, evoking soft fuzzy Sunday evening
television images of a time when society was less complicated and life was better. With Harry, like
him or not, you know where you are.
Being slightly fearful of numbers, I'm not sure how the old recipe for success of 'win at home
and draw away' stands up in modern times, now we have this new-fangled three points for a win, but
right now it will do for me. As against Man City, against the Pool we stood up to the considerable
pressure exerted by our rivals near the top of the league, emerging with great credit and in this
case a point too.
A couple of years ago Absolute Radio e-mailed to ask if I would appear on the first edition of
their new Saturday afternoon football show. It was new, exciting and interactive. Ian Wright in the
chair, he wanted a sparky show with comment and bite. Spurs were playing and they wanted to hear
from the fans.
When one of your own is in trouble, you reach out a helping hand. Despite his achievements,
Harry Redknapp has never found a place in the hearts of the Spurs faithful. Last night it was more
than an outstretched arm for support. No, he was firmly clasped to our bosom to feel safe and warm.
We stroked his hair and soothed, "There, there.
