Published 09 December 2011
by TONY DALLAS

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
THE 3-0 win against Bolton at the Lane on Saturday should have been at least 6-0.

I fear I’m becoming a sanctimonious football fan and I don’t like it.

When our fledglings lost last week’s Europa League game to PAOK Salonika, I couldn’t have cared less.

In fact, the only thing that concerned me was why we’d brought on Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker in the last 15 minutes of a game that frankly in the bigger scheme of things didn’t matter?  

As exciting as the contest was and as heartily as the Greek supporters sang and danced, Tottenham losing didn’t give me the usual feeling of despair.

Therein lies my dilemma.

It’s only December and as well as we’re playing, the Lilywhites haven’t won anything yet.

We had an opportunity to take the Europa League seriously, and possibly win some silverware in Europe. Yet still I didn’t care that we lost and you know why?

Because we’re third in the Premier League and Champions League qualification is what it’s all about.

Help me! Am I in danger of adopting the mentality of those very supporters I despise?

Brainwashing myself into believing my team is better than everyone else’s?

What about winning games? What about the axiom that success breeds success?

There was a time that I’d rejoice in the fact that Spurs, like other big teams, could field such youngsters. Now I’m beginning to expect it and that doesn’t feel right.
TONY DALLAS

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