Great late win the other day, with another brilliant strike from the ice-cool Dane when it looked like Brighton might frustrate us. And a continuation of our flawless home form since returning to the new Lane.
Much as I like Chris Hughton and many of the Brighton players, it was also deeply satisfying to see a team who had time-wasted from pretty much the first minute descending into panic mode and doing everything at 100% speed once Eriksen's strike had nestled in the bottom corner.
Anyway, that result - and other results going our way in recent days - means that we could have virtually wrapped up a top 4 spot by the end of this round of fixtures. If we beat West Ham and Chelsea lose to Man United, we'll be six points ahead of Chelsea and Utd with two games to play - and with a much better goal difference. There would have to be quite a swing of goals - particularly in United's case - for them to sneak in. And that's assuming we don't pick up a point from our final two games.
Of course, the most important thing is getting the win against West Ham and worrying about the permutations and other teams around us later. 3rd spot is now firmly back in our hands. In truth, we should never have let the teams around us back in. We were way ahead of Arsenal, United and Chelsea, but that blip - which felt interminable at the time - where we only picked up one point from 15 (and even that was a bit fortunate) has been reversed in recent weeks with key home wins. It's our home form that has come good as our away form has crumbled.
The boost of the new ground has helped massively, as has the continued brilliance of our performances in Europe. The new Lane (or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, to give it its official title) has a feel of the old Lane in our final season there, where we were unbeatable.
West Ham will provide a stern test, but if we can get three points it puts us in an excellent position. You wouldn't fancy Arsenal to get a result at Leicester given their away day struggles and one or both of Chelsea and United will drop points this weekend.
After the Liverpool game, where we lost narrowly but played much better, I was relatively confident that a relatively kind run-in would help us on our way. Also, with so many of our games at home, in our new stadium, I also thought we'd have the edge over Arsenal (with most of their remaining games away) and the other teams chasing us.
I didn't see things imploding at United so quickly under Ole - it's like they've returned to the dying days of the Mourinho era again - and both Arsenal and Chelsea have bottled it at key moments.
Here's hoping the results fall for us again this weekend and we could be virtually home and dry for a top 4 spot for the fourth successive season. Which, given our stadium troubles, complete lack of new signings, injury problems and the spending/new manager bounce experienced by our rivals, would represent a fine achievement. COYS.
Top 4 could be secure this weekend
posted on 26/4/19
I know we have Ajax midweek, but given all the fixtures for the teams in the race for top 4, we should really aim to win this game against West Ham, knowing how likely it is Chelsea and Arsenal can drop points. It should not be too weak a team we put out.
posted on 26/4/19
We looked mentally & physically knackered Vs Brighton and these games just keep coming. It does feel like we have a lot players in that "red zone" or whatever its called and I wonder if the likes of Winks & Sissoko out is result of being played non stop.. Just praying we can get through tomorrow without further injuries. Gotta give the team credit for such great mental resilience.
I have a bad feeling we are not gonna win the next 2 but I just don't know which one might be a "let down". Given the way the results have played out... Right now if you offered me an ugly 0-0 tomorrow and a close 1-0 vs Ajax I'd take it.
Exciting times no question but as proved by the likes of Liverpool and City.... They can go into these massive games in far better strength given their squad quality and size.... We enter our biggest week of the season in the weakest physical shape... hope it doesn't come back to bite us
COYS
posted on 26/4/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 26/4/19
Need to go as strong as possible tomorrow. Now is not the time to be fielding weakened teams. After tomorrow only two league games and a maximum three CL games.
posted on 26/4/19
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 36 seconds ago
What usually happens is a good round of results for us is reversed the following week by a series of fack ups - especially when West Ham are involved. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Chelsea and Arsenal get narrow wins and us drop points with a draw or late defeat, meaning everything is tighter going into the last two games.
Spurs, Man U and Leicester wins would be the dream as we’d be all but guaranteed top 4 unless we lost our last two games 4-0 each or something. That 1 point in 15 run was so poor, we went from being up there with City/Pool to scrapping with these cuuunts for CL football. If we’d even taken just 4 points in that run we’d be home and dry now and able to fully focus on Ajax.
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Our shiiite form aside, we wouldn't have to be worrying about this had Chelsea rightfully dropped those points against Cardiff when the ref was doing everything in his power to not reveal he had a Chelsea top under his kit.
I am however fairly confident they won't beat United, which would be a huge boost to us, whether we've beaten West Ham or not.
posted on 26/4/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 26/4/19
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Ace (U18814)
posted 36 seconds ago
What usually happens is a good round of results for us is reversed the following week by a series of fack ups - especially when West Ham are involved. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Chelsea and Arsenal get narrow wins and us drop points with a draw or late defeat, meaning everything is tighter going into the last two games.
Spurs, Man U and Leicester wins would be the dream as we’d be all but guaranteed top 4 unless we lost our last two games 4-0 each or something. That 1 point in 15 run was so poor, we went from being up there with City/Pool to scrapping with these cuuunts for CL football. If we’d even taken just 4 points in that run we’d be home and dry now and able to fully focus on Ajax.
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Our shiiite form aside, we wouldn't have to be worrying about this had Chelsea rightfully dropped those points against Cardiff when the ref was doing everything in his power to not reveal he had a Chelsea top under his kit.
I am however fairly confident they won't beat United, which would be a huge boost to us, whether we've beaten West Ham or not.
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If I was betting I’d have a draw in that game.
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As long as they or Arsenal drop points if we don't win against West Ham. You've got to think that's pretty likely to happen with who they're playing and their inconsistent form at the moment. After a nice non-spursy period of results going our way, it would be as spursy as it gets if we lost to West Ham and Arsenal and Chelsea won.
posted on 26/4/19
Due to other commitments I will have to do with watching West Ham smash up the stadium from the comfort of my own home tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing how our boys will be in the Paxton and the East Upper with that lot beside and below us. Should be a cracking atmosphere. Gutted.
posted on 26/4/19
Of course, the earlier we secure the top 4 spot, the better
However, I would love us to achieve the maximum from the three games, and attain 79 points for the season
That would be brilliant achievement for side that started a week later in pre-season, had 9 players playing in the semi-finals of WC so hardly any rests in the season's opening games, had injuries to almost every key player in the squad, and played home games away!
We can do it!
posted on 26/4/19
comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 3 hours, 34 minutes ago
Of course, the earlier we secure the top 4 spot, the better
However, I would love us to achieve the maximum from the three games, and attain 79 points for the season
That would be brilliant achievement for side that started a week later in pre-season, had 9 players playing in the semi-finals of WC so hardly any rests in the season's opening games, had injuries to almost every key player in the squad, and played home games away!
We can do it!
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Amazing!