Apologies, all, for the lengthy and largely off topic stream of consciousness that follows. It's just that I don't post in any Spurs forums - or even in the Sports forum on the UK section of SSC - any more. And I've felt the overwhelming need to get this off my chest for quite some time! So here goes:
I just wanted to express how incredibly proud of Spurs I am right now - whatever the result tomorrow at Stamford Bridge or results next weekend or even the weekend after. I'm incredibly proud of how we've played this season - consistently the best football of any team in the league over the past nine months and, at time of writing, the best goal difference, the fewest goals conceded, the most shots at goal and the second most goals scored. And I'm proud that we've done it all with comfortably the youngest team in the league - on average four years younger than Leicester.
Where we've fallen short, if we do fall short (as seems most likely), is having not been as efficient as Leicester. They have made their fewer chances really count. They have scored when they needed to; got critical, last ditch blocks and tackles in when they needed to. Their work rate and team ethic has been deeply impressive. They have ground out narrow win after narrow win - while turning in the occasional super performance. That shows great mental resilience on their part and, possibly reflects their greater age and maturity. If they win the title, as they should, they will have deserved it (though not before then, as so many pundits would have us believe).
At this point, please excuse the bitterness in the following few paragraphs (don't worry - I'll get over it!). While I understand the Leicester love in, I can't also help but find it somewhat nauseating, over the top and more than a little disrespectful to Spurs. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth when successive players or managers from other clubs publicly state their support for Leicester immediately before playing them or before playing their only title rivals. That's not an accusation of foul play, by the way. But it's still not right.
Also leaving a bad taste in the mouth is the universal hysteria and risible bias in the media. It's been building for months but the BBC website's live text update today was simply a joke (and the catalyst for me finally to vent my spleen!). Not a shred of objectivity. For instance, a huge deal was made of Fellaini's elbow but almost nothing whatsoever made of Huth's hair pull - the kind of thing he's been getting away with all season. If Fellaini is handed a three match ban (as he should be and as Dele Alli was), then so should Huth. He was guilty of violent conduct and unacceptable provocation. Let's see what happens....
More generally, there are many things that have been conveniently swept under the carpet as the hysteria has taken hold. Luis Suarez was never forgiven for his racial slur towards Patrice Evra. Yet the media have given Leicester's poster boy, Jamie Vardy, a comparatively free ride for his even greater transgression. And what of Leicester breaking the Football League's financial rules, thereby allowing them a far bigger budget than their Championship rivals a couple of seasons ago and leading to their promotion. Nary a serious mention of it in the media, let alone anything by way of sustained, in depth investigation. Nothing, it seems, must be allowed to taint the fairytale narrative. Indeed, in some warped way, it might almost be just as well that Spurs likely won't win the title this season since they might otherwise forever have been demonised.
In the meanwhile, Spurs have got on with their season quietly and professionally, aware that practically the whole nation - world, even - is willing their failure. It seems harsh. This is a club that has gone about things the right way - operating within their means; promoting youth; giving chances to academy products; filling the team with a core of English players; fighting for years (not just the one season) to crack the elite against overwhelming financial odds.
This is a club that has invested heavily in one of the best academy systems in the country; in one of the finest training facilities in the world; and is in the process of building an outstanding new stadium. All with money that it generates itself and all without getting into debt. This is a club that has been knocking on the door for years - suffering considerable misfortune along the way (lasagne, Chelsea CL win etc). This is a club that has, arguably more than any other, been disadvantaged by the emergence of two clubs financed by super rich owners. But for Chelsea and Emirates Marketing Project's good fortune, it is likely that Spurs would by now have become Champions League perennials and, perhaps, regular title challengers. This is a club whose fans have had to bear the taunts of not one but two fierce, local rivals who have won multiple trophies over the past couple of decades; while another fierce, local rival has had a £600 million, 60K+ stadium (and all associated infrastructure) fall into their laps. So Spurs are deserving of wider respect, empathy and fair-mindedness than they have received this season - especially since they will have had to cope with a far busier fixture schedule (ten more games in total than Leicester) and ten fiercely fought local derbies (as opposed to none for Leicester).
Which brings me back to where I started. I am incredibly proud of Spurs right now - of the players; the manager; the chairman; the academy; the training ground; and the stadium that is rising before our eyes. I am proud of how everyone associated with the club has conducted themselves with such quiet honour, dignity and integrity this season. I am hugely optimistic for our future. And I think we will win silverware soon.
But the title? There has been an assumption among the masses jumping on the Leicester bandwagon this season that this will be Leicester's only chance to win the title while Spurs will have plenty more such opportunities in the years ahead. Why? Spurs haven't won the title for 55 years (and have rarely come close in the interim) and, with the likes of City, Chelsea and Utd having far greater resources at their disposal, the odds will still be massively against Spurs next season and beyond. There is no guarantee at all.
But if they are right - if Spurs do win the title soon - then no club will have deserved it more.
COYS
