There is no footballing argument as to the strides Tottenham Hotspur has made over the last two seasons, except one is beside themselves. Given a pack of very ordinary players usually plagued by injuries, Harry Redknapp should be given the credit for a job well done, although he may humbly credit his far less talented players. The only exception is his line up is Jermaine Defoe, out for most of this campaign so far, Rafael van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and goalkeeper Gomes. Tested and tried defender, Ledley King is half a player given his injuries and pivotal role that he has to train half or even less the time than the rest of the squad.
To a few disillusioned, Spurs are nothing and have achieved nothing. That measure is usually and wrongly compared to Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter and AC Milans, Barcelona and Real Madrid. That is like measuring the elephant and an ant on the same weight balance. Spurs of today must be compared to the Spurs of yesterday. Today, it measures up to all the English and European heavy weights easily. I will not even mention their 10 man explosive Champions League exploits against Inter last week.
This afternoon, they face their fears head on. Manchester United are world beaters with tremendous talent and class. Player for player, Spurs will be turning up to fulfil a fixture as they cannot compete at any department. They are no match at all. Man U are a monster very few teams would love to play. Sir Alex Ferguson has won more trophies than all the league's managers combined. United have won everything there is to win in the last 10 years. If this is not a mountain to climb, it is certainly two.
Owing to his astute tactics and experience, Sir Alex, even without Wayne Rooney, knows how much fire power he has. One thing for sure, while we can argue and spent a peaceful night, Ferguson had a sleepless night. Spurs has lost 2 matches so far and while struggling to balance a domestic fixture with their new found status in Europe, they dropped points they should have not but more importantly, rescued up points that had flown with the wind. Despite a rough time with injuries and match officials, Sir Alex knows what a special side he is playing today.
The credible generosity of his team this season is the source of his sorrows today. United have been known to surrender a huge chunk of leads and squandering the points they banked lavishly. Spurs made a name for themselves recently for exactly the opposite. They have been dead and buried and yet resurrected to the disbelief of their haunted opponents. As they come face to face with a favourite of many, it is surely their moment of truth as United can group and be a monster no one will want to face. In United camp, it is the Old Trafford side who are facing their moment of truth, and not Spurs.
Arsenal will host West Ham while Chelsea travel to Blackburn, as does Tevezless City to Wolves, but where is your money on the Old Trafford fixture?
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