The Crow - Off to Wembley because we beat Tottenham!
Published: 27 January, 2011
ARSENAL
SPARK that Chas ‘n’ Dave piano up willya? All together now: We’re off to Wembley because we beat the Tottenham, we’re off to Wembley because we beat the Tottenham. In the north London cup, they were only runners-up. Now we’re off to Wembley because we beat the Tottenham.
And, of course, Arsenal are off to Wembley because they beat Stratford’s finest. Back in the early rounds. If it had been another team, maybe Arsenal wouldn’t have tried hard and have exited the Carling Cup at an earlier stage. But the simple exercise of stopping Spurs winning the trophy they crave most has kick-started a run that has ended up at the famous old stadium. Almost by accident.
Still, even though the Gunners’ win against Ipswich means the quadruple is still on – something no team has managed before – maybe there were some fans who would have swapped the day acting like Spurs supporters at the Carling Cup ahead for a Blackpool win over Manchester United on Tuesday. If Blackpool had clung on to their lead, it might not have stopped United winning the league, but it would have posted a ‘1’ in the defeats column for the champions elect. Arsenal are proud of the season they went undefeated. Even with all their money, Chelsea haven’t managed that. Even with all their skill, United haven’t either. Being invincible was the best trophy ever. The Carling Cup will be a small compensation if that record gets shattered.
RICHARD OSLEY
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
ANYBODY watching Tuesday’s Premier League game, be they man, woman or child will do well to note what passion can produce over ability.
I’m talking about the Blackpool v Manchester United match where The Seasiders were 2-0 up at half time. They lost 3-2 in the end but dare I say nearly pulled off the result of the decade. Mirror that with Tottenham’s capitulation and subsequent 1-1 draw at Newcastle on Saturday and therein lies the problem. A lack of urgency, devoid of ideas and the untimely loss of Gareth Bale to a recurring back injury made Spurs look far from the Top Four side we know they are. With a trip to Bloomfield Road to play Blackpool still to come, I’d gladly replace some of the ability we have for the passion they do.
Meanwhile even if the Olympic Stadium falls through, Daniel Levy still wants to take my beloved Spurs to pastures green! Which further proves there is no sentiment in football.
Football pundit Andy Gray was sacked this week for inappropriate comments made about a female assistant referee and to a female colleague. I applaud that decision. Football grounds still remain one of the few institutions left where you can openly make unsavoury comments and be allowed to get away with them. It’s a tribute to ethnic minorities, female and disabled supporters that they sit through this abuse in stadia all over the country without them having to listen to it on national television.
TONY DALLAS