Due to circumstances entirely under our control
The dream is over: long live the dream. Harry is perfectly correct; if we don't get into the Champions' League this season we can always try again next season. No arguing with that. But as a mission statement it is somewhat lacking in the inspirational department; a bit deficient in the excitement category.; wanting in the stimulation division.
Now we will all go on hoping until it is mathematically impossible for us to get 4th, reworking the figures as each game showers disappointment and frustration on our heads. But we all know, don't we, that we are fighting for fifth now and praying that Man.City win the Cup Final or even the Europa nights might be snatched from us.
If the Europa experience were to be denied us of course we will argue that the Europa is more nuisance than it's worth and that without it we will be free to mount a real challenge for the title. How we do that without Modric, Van der Vaart and Bale who will have gone elsewhere seeking higher rewards I am not quite sure.
Without the lure of Europe our ability to hold on to our best players or to lure top class players to sign for us will diminish. And there is no guarantee that forgoing Europe will ensure a top four finish.We would have less opportunities to deploy the full squad too. Although this is not really a consideration under Harry.
'Play 'em till they drop and then play'em some more' is Harry's motto.
'Play 'em till they drop and then play'em some more' is Harry's motto.
This week we have had a draw that seemed like a win against Arsenal and a draw that feels like a loss against West Brom. We conceded early again and lost Ekotto possibly for the rest of the season. We got back on terms and then went ahead when, amazingly, both our strikers scored and then conceded a late goal to make an almost impossible job, impossible.
Defoe scored his 100th Premiership goal and Tottenham's 1000th but did very little else. He didn't get to take his shirt off because his mum had insisted on putting his special celebration tee shirt in the wash because he's been wearing it for so long. In fact I don't think he touched the ball for the first 20minutes. Pavluchenko did more and scored the first but was subbed for Crouch in the 84th minute. I'm not quite sure why.
Disappointment and confusion vied with each other at the final whistle over Harry's tactics and substitutions. Lennon and Bale on the left hand side at the same time? Bale starting at all when he is clearly knackered and needs a rest? Jenas or Piennar or someone for Defoe and/or Van Der Vaart to close the game down at 2-1? Curiouser and curiouser. Everyone,Harry included ,seemed to be suffering from end of seasonitis.
Modric once again had me purring with delight at almost every touch but apart from some nice inter-passing in the first half with Bale and Van we failed to dominate the game. 11 corners and half a dozen free kicks in dangerous positions all came to nothing and it's back to the training ground on that one. You sometimes wonder what they do all day except check their investments, tweet,twitter and phone their agents.
Kaboul failed to live up to his growing reputation with a laboured performance; Sandro improved on his. He not only tackles and breaks from defence well, he can also pass. Unfortunately he has not yet mastered the art of shooting. Lennon might be the first to leave at the end of the season as he might just be getting tired of not starting and then playing on his weaker side.
So all you devoted followers of this blog waiting to hear something to cheer you up then I'm afraid you are going to be disappointed. The good news is that there is no more bad news as far as I know apart from City beating Blackburn by courtesy of Dzeko's first Premiership goal; and the bad news is that there is no more good news.
Unless you count Arsenal blowing a gasket on the final run in. Frankly I don't give a flying fig about Arsenal but no doubt some Spurs fans will be amused on the grounds that it makes our pain easier to bear. I can't see it myself.
Liverpool who have squandered the Torres millions on a couple of strikers, re-appointed a favourite son as manager and stuck some youngsters on, are bearing down on us like a train and though I am praying for leaves on the line, or even the wrong sort of snow, you can't help but admire their spirit. If it wasn't going to be at our expense you might almost wish them well. Almost.
It wouldn't surprise Tottenham fans if we beat Chelsea on Saturday and coaxed some flickering flames from the dying embers of our season. Nothing surprises Tottenham fans but it would only prolong the agony and our chances of success this season are in the hands of others.
But we have no-one to blame but ourselves. However it will give us another chance to weigh up Drogba who is about the only 33yr old for whom I would make an exception in the transfer market. A striker that scores goals, there's a novelty.