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As each game between these two old adversaries passes I find myself apologising. Surely Chelsea haven’t rolled them old White Hart “Lames” over again? Sorry mate.
Whoever is in charge, up there in the sky, whether it be God whatever, he sure must have a sense of humour. See the thing is my best mate is a Tottenham supporter. Hey, if I’d have known that when I first met him then I’m not so sure that he would have become the friend that he is today. But these things happen.
So twice a year (sometimes more) we sit down, drink a few beers and gradually, carefully, approach the subject of Tottenham Chelsea. Of course each of us is careful not to upset the other. Yeah right.
Each year I tell him as I tell you now – Spurs are my second favourite team! You don’t believe me? Come on, who else has been as generous to Chelsea as Spurs? Who else has given so many points to The Blues year in year out? When Spurs hovered precariously over the relegation zone a couple of seasons ago no-one was more concerned than me – “three point lane” is, well……guaranteed three points!
Of course my bravado and cock sure attitude was seriously deflated following last years 5-1 League Cup humiliation. A mere “blot on the landscape” I assured (through gritted teeth) my Tottenham supporting friend.
I allowed him his moment of glory. Surely after all these years of Chelsea supremacy over his “whites” he was allowed this moment. How many times had I made him suffer as we sat beer in hand, cigarettes a puffing, urine a being extracting, as I make him sit through various home made Chelsea video complications. Is it my fault that one happens to be dedicated to this great fixture?
Each time we sit, drink, and ponder the beauty of Flo’s hat trick, Jimmy’s “definite/certain” penalty, Desailly’s last minute header……the list is endless, but how I laugh.
You have to remind yourself that us Blues supporters have had to negotiate our pain following ONE humiliating defeat. These poor boys have had to suffer for years. If you look through your local papers you will notice “Spurs Support Groups - White Hope (Blue Supremacy)” re-advertising their essential services as this fixture comes around.
They are the first to put to the Chelsea Tottenham fixtures in their diaries (extra staff needed).
At night my best friend and I, we’d often sit on the beach, again beer in hand (his alcohol dependency now essential to his post blue survival) and talk pre-game. The burden of this fixture clearly weighing heavy on his soul. He’d sit, smoke and speak of the match as already in the past tense. Tottenham’s loss guaranteed and past - expected.
These were conversations after he had no emotions left.
Let’s not be complacent though. We as Blues fans know the value of Hoddle’s leadership and as such should be wary. Let’s face it, our 5-1 humiliation is not forgotten. Okay the two consecutive 4-0 victories certainly relieved a lot of the rage that sat within us but nothing can be taken for granted.
As Jimmy F-H has so rightly said this week this will be a test that must be overcome. If we are to progress and to consolidate on that third position then come Sunday, we must succeed. Tottenham I feel, have progressed. To underestimate them again would be a serious mistake.
Let’s stand up, be counted and shut the Chelsea critics up once and for all.
stevefurlong@chelsea-mad.co.uk
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