Quote Originally Posted by Letters View Post
How are you defining a rival or when it counts?

We lost narrowly away to a side in form. It happens. We only lost to their trademark late goal - they've done that with infuriating frequency recently but they won't keep doing it. They haven't lost at home since early November in the league and drawn with ManYoo and beaten Chelsea at home in that time. I can't say too much about our performance. People on here are notoriously negative when we lose - sometimes even when we win. I suspect the match reaction thread is full of pant wetting. A Spurs fan friend said he reckoned they just about deserved to win, he certainly didn't suggest it was a pasting.

In terms of 'when it counts', doesn't it a always count in a league? Until late April, early May there are no especially high pressure game, we lost yesterday but the position is recoverable - midweek Spurs go to Anfield, we're at home vs Leicester. And, as we have always finished top 4, we have always won those games at the end of a season 'when it counts', even if we have rather stumbled over the line at times. In terms of rivals, in the run of good results we've beaten Southampton at home and West Ham away (not traditional rivals, but sides who this year have been a threat to our top 4 position) and City away.

Overall I'm happy enough with what I've seen from us more recently. It's always disappointing to lose, especially at Spurs but I don't think they'll be above us come May if we keep playing like we have recently.
If you are following this Club, it is crystal clear how I am defining it. Whenever we are playing a rival in a match for something both teams need - whether it is the title or fourth you could make a fortune betting against us. We don't show up. Not a surprise because the Manager is never there doing anything. If the camera didn't focus on him, sitting there motionless, slouched in a sulk eminating his defeatist and listless demeanour to the team (which was every time he appeared on camera), you wouldn't, nor would the players notice he was even there.

There were nothing but the same robotic pre-ordained substitutions that paid no regard at all to what was happening, what was needed or who was playing well. We may as well have handed in the time and name of the players to be substituted with the team sheet, then Wenger could have stayed at home.

And make no mistake about it - we were pasted. In that game thread I posted and genuinely meant it when I said other than the scoreline, Tottenham will rarely have had an easier game (or words to that effect).

All games count to some degree, but the games against direct opponents that want what you want - who are you biggest threat - we can't beat them in direct competition.

Not because we aren't capable of beating them - we are. But we just do not have the mentality and fortitude to be counted when it most matters. Everyone can see that because it is that weakness that now defines our Club.