OK hands up, who stopped watching the match when we went 2-0 down? Certainly the guy next to me left and wouldn't have seen one of the most exhilarating comebacks in recent memory for Spurs.
Cast your minds back to May 7th 2006 when we had a viral outbreak which may or may not (I am being VERY diplomatic here) caused us to under-perform against West Ham at Upton Park. Cue West Ham supporters and even players like Spurs reject Paul Konchesky gloating over a victory that decided the league positions of two other clubs. The boot is now very very firmly on the other foot.
At the start of the season I begrudgingly felt that West Ham would be a serious threat to us in the race for a top six finish, their squad was strong and youthful, had a Premiership season under it's belt and was at the last minute strengthened by the signings of two world beaters, Tevez and Mascherano. How wrong that proved to be. By all accounts those very signings upset the boys club, their places no longer guaranteed and team spirit suffered heavily. Add to that a captain who hears another team is sniffing around and promptly gives up playing for the team that made him and things get worse. A change in management, a shedload spent in January and all the way along I believed West Ham would make it out.
I have no doubts that yesterday sealed their fate, not only will us beating them home and away be something to cherish during their relegation but the manner of the defeat yesterday will have truly crushed their spirit. We were never ahead in the game, albeit we conceded at times when we were the better side, yet I always believed we would get something out of it, such is the transformation in our recent form and confidence.
The goals from Tainio and Berbatov were sublime, Defoe had more belief in himself than I did to step up in the face of the boo boys and take the penalty and as for Stalteri getting forward to start and finish off a move, I never thought I would see the day. The West Ham of last season finally turned up for a match, but it was a case of too little too late.
So while the Irons tumble into the Championship yet again, we are left to contemplate our league season and the potential for getting into UEFA again. We stand one point from 6th position, guaranteed Europe, and 5 points below 5th place although with Bolton in freefall at the moment it may just be that they are catchable.
Thanks to Martin Jol these small glories are coming more regularly as a Spurs fan, he has instilled a resilience in the side which was missing mid-season and he has to take great for that.
I, meanwhile, will be off to the Marriott in West India Quay to help myself to some of that sweet-tasting buffet.
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