Spudulike

As a Spuds fan, got to say top of the list is passionless, corporate Arsenal. My personal list is then Liverpool (for the wallowing sentimentality of the club and fans, and for their mawkish obsession with the past - you don't hear Bradford fans continually going on about their fire, for example). Then its Leeds Utd and Celtic. Chelsea are not high on my list but that's not a view shared by many Spuds.

Aw, b*******... Hope you chaps beat Man U - will be a little bit of consolation.

You've made the point about pressure really well. Without comparing us Spuds to Chelsea, our performance and league position is a long way beyond expectations. Most Spurs fans would settle for where we are. The team haven't achieved in recent years so, imo, there's a hunger about them that you can sense. That combines with a lack of pressure, and a good team ethic, to produce our current form. I think that AVB, for all of the things he may have done wrong at Chelsea, was given an almost impossible brief and not backed up by the owner, seemingly.

Genuine question: is there a risk with wanting the same manager the second time around? Things don't repeat and, if Mourinho came back and it didn't work out, would it tarnish the memory of his first time with Chelsea? There is that risk (?)

I agree that your run in isn't great. Those last 6 games are going to be hard fought. I wouldn't disagree with your view of the Gooner's run in either except that, imo, Arsenal are all over the shop. It'll be interesting to see.

Arsenal fixtures: Swansea (A) - tough game Reading (H) - should win West Brom (A) - depends which Arsenal turns up Norwich (H) - should win Everton (H) - tough game Fulham (A) - 50/50 imo Man U (H) - nuff said The final three games are against teams fighting poss relegation battles. Tough games, imo: QPR (A) Wigan (H) Newcastle (A)

I know. It is weird... :-) I went through a serious phase of hating Fergie but have had to admit that we're trailing in his and United's wake. Re. third place, i don't know if us Spuds could sustain a european campaign AND the premiership. Doubtful.

I reckon so too. Being honest, this question of 3rd and 4th place is like ignoring the huge issue of why we're light years behind Man U (apart from the obvious answer of van persie).They've walked away with title and we're fighting over the scraps.

Chelsea have lost against teams they should have beaten and there have been v odd subs, etc made by Rafa. Not sure though that an easy run in counts for too much for Arsenal (or anyone). Arsenal are too inconsistent - we don't know which team will turn up. I bet that, in private, Moyes thinks Everton have a chance of overhauling them. (?)

I don't feel that Spurs are in a secure third place; there are too many matches left and I'm wary of trying to work out who we should (on paper) beat. I'm not an expert on Chelsea but you created chances on Sat and, on Motd, looked unlucky not to get more. If any team in the top 6 can put a run together, a lot could change. Only thing I'm certain of is that the Arse aren't going to do much.

A battle Chelsea should win. Arsenal defence not worth the name and, until the last few minutes, they had possession for it's own sake rather than with intent. Re the Bale 'w***' fest, I don't know whether he's in excellent form or if this is permanent class. If he sustains performing at his current level, he will be world class but he's not there yet, imo.

Thought it'd at least be on before Sunderland / Fulham though...

After your win, it'll be a tight run in to the end of the season. Sort of expecting us to beat the Gooners tomorrow but, as it's them, a win itself will be more important than where it leaves us in the league. There's a chance, despite Spurs' tough run-in, that we might catch City. That could be me being way too optimistic :-). I haven't seen the Chelsea match on Motd yet. Any grounds for optimism on Chelsea's part?

Damn. Said I'd post less...(first and last one today). Most people I talk to don't hate or dislike Chelsea fans. Generally, the talk about Chelsea is that the season isn't going well (for a team as big as Chelsea) and that Benitez, for whatever reason, isn't doing a good job. Some people express the view that the fans should lay off Benitez but it's not the only view held by non-Chelsea fans.Those opinions are stating the obvious but it's what non-Chelsea fans are saying. Yesterday, the common view I heard was that Benitez had problems with pressure; the Fergie rant was mentioned as 'previous'. The media is whipping up a s*** storm over the question of Chelsea/the Manager/the fans and they'll focus on the negative. The scousers posting here are t**** and not representative of ALL other fans. I don't like the idea of Scotland leaving the Uk but I'd happily start a campaign for Liverpool to sod off.

Cheers. As long as i don't p*** anyone off. I have been a bit prolific so I'll try and calm down. Tbh, and i know this is weird, your lot are close to being my second team.

Fair point mate. I hope i haven't trolled. I'll try just to read from now on. Last comment is that the Forum is v interesting and, imo, prob the best out there. Cheers chaps.

One of the things you (should) learn with age is when to quit an argument....

Liking Avb a lot. I think he had a difficult brief at Chelsea. It was always going to be tough to change the team and do well in the league. He motivates the team well. I don't know too much about the detail of his time with you but it just didn't happen. Can't see us keeping Bale. I'd love him to stay as i reckon we'll be challenging for the title next year (being v optimistic!). If we get £50+ million for him, that will soften the blow. My main worry is Ade - not motivated at all and about to throw a strop!

I'm sure I'm in a minority of Spurs fans. A small minority. I save my rancour for The Arse. This whole issue is important for the game cos it's the main example of a club trying to ignore the fans and of an owner who doesn't know that he doesn't know much about the game.

Eh, calm down! Liverpool were against Hodgson from day one. The supporters were not as vocal as at Chelsea but it did happen. I've got to say well done to the Chelsea fans for an effective and honest campaign against Benitez. True supporter power.

Quote. "The anger has to be directed at the Owner, the Chairman, CEO, Board of Directors – whoever is making these God awful decisions but never actually coming out and explaining these decisions to the supporters" That's my gut view too. There's no information or explanation. Mr Abramovich (or whoever) might need to realise that he/they aren't making good decisions. At the moment, it seems like he/they haven't realised that they might not know enough about the game, building a team, etc to make informed decisions There needs to be some patience, from the owner/board to allow someone to grow into the role of manager and to take the team with them. I don't mean patience over the course of years but defo at least a full season.

:-) One of my favourite Spurs players. My Dad reckons the best player he ever saw. I think he still holds some club records with Chelsea (?).

Thanks for the reply. Graham was never that bad a thing for us (league cup win and into Uefa) but some fans were hacked off. Benitez is different - your answer conveys a lot of anger and i think i get why.

That's a fair point....(re x 1,000,000). Who is the stand against though? Is is Benitez or the owner? I agree with your view tho.

Firstly, despite my profile name, I'm not posting here to gloat; Chelsea are a great team and this site is probably the best out there. I just want to say, as a neutral, that the issue is clearly not Benitez or the players but the owner. There's been talk of Laudrup for Cfc but, imo, he'd be mad to go. He'd have everything to lose. Mr Abramovich needs to step way back and let professionals run the club. 4th isn't a bad place. We're well happy if we get 4th. Lastly, the s*** that Benitez gets is unreal. Some of the fans are cutting off their noses to spite their faces. The boos, etc must impact on the team. Anyway, I'm not sure we'll keep 4th place...