Hunter Davies' novel The Glory Game gives a behind-the-scenes account of a season with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in the early 1970s. The book is still thought to hold relevance today as, despite the ever-changing world of football, many core aspects remain the same; rising wages, dodgy refereeing decisions, dressing room banter etc.
In the book, written in 1972, Alan Mullery says: "With Spurs, I think we could do with a bit more of the killer instinct. Players will go out on the field when we're playing sides at the bottom of the league in a sort of complacent frame of mind."
Anyone who watched the Champions League qualifier between Spurs and Young Boys will know exactly what I'm getting at here; 40 years ago, Tottenham were prone to underestimating the opposition. Last Tuesday indicated that nothing much has changed.
So, can Spurs fans take any positives at all from Tuesday night? Well, yes actually...
1. The result - It couldn't be better really. We two away goals and the fact we're still one goal down could work in our favour. The manner of the result wasn't ideal but the side now know we have to go out to attack and not defend, which means we can play to our strengths. As Spurs fans, we will be only too aware that any sort of lead, especially a comfortable one, at this stage is a dangerous thing.
2. Pav's finish - Roman Pavlyuchenko was one of a number of players to have a terrible game on Tuesday. He looked lazy, off the pace and couldn't hold his own the ball up. But his explosive finish for our second goal was a great encouragement. Precise, powerful and when we desperately needed it. We just need to see it a bit more often.
3. Timely reminder- Bemoaning the pitch or the preparation is neither here nor there. Our boys choked under the pressure on Tuesday. We never expected Young Boys to be able to pass around us and their opener was a shock that nearly knocked us for six. But, having been out of Europe's elite competition for so long, it's an important lesson to learn early on. Everyone is a threat. Hopefully it'll stand us in good stead.
4. It's still progress - Just to sign off, I thought it worth pointing this out. In three of the last five seasons, Spurs have finished 5th or higher. Prior to 2005/06, our highest-ever Premier League finish was 7th. To not qualify for the Champions League proper would be a major disappointment but we're clearly headed very much in the right direction...
Let's just hope that Alan Mullery's words don't ring true once again come Wednesday night.
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