High hopes but it wasn't to be

It was the last day of the football season today, a crucial day for Spurs. We were fighting it out with our biggest rivals Arsenal for the 4th spot where'd we'd been since 3rd December and this would mean qualification for the Champions League next season. If Spurs secured 4th then we'd have to rely on Barcelona beating Arsenal in this season's Champions League final, otherwise Arsenal would qualify instead. Complicated I know!

My boys started the day one point ahead of Arsenal. We were playing West Ham away and Arsenal were at home to Wigan. Therefore whatever Arsenal did, we had to match it, ie. if they won, we'd have to win, if they drew, we'd have to at least draw. Several hours before kick off, Sky Sports announced that 7 Spurs players had suffered from food poisoning at their hotel. After initial shock, I came to the conclusion that one of the kitchen staff must be a Gooner! A member of the FA visited the hotel to assess the situation and make a decision as to whether the game should still go ahead. I couldn't see how it could go ahead with so many players missing - we already had several injuries. However, because West Ham are playing in the FA Cup final next Saturday, I couldn't see how they could reschedule the game. The eventual decision was that the game would go ahead as planned.

I was stunned that Sky weren't screening the Spurs v West Ham game. They showed the Arsenal game mainly because it was their last ever game at Highbury and also surprisingly, the Man Utd game against Charlton. Why? They had nothing to play for except for remaining in second place! However, I think that maybe not seeing the match live may have prevented massive stress on my part coz I do tend to get carried away. I have been known to storm out of rooms slamming the door, pacing the room up and down and on the odd occasion, cry. Don't ever accuse me of taking football seriously!!!!!!!

Anyway, the end result was not in our favour. West Ham beat us 2-1 and Arsenal beat Wigan
4-2, so that's that. No Champions League for us this time but at least we have qualified for the UEFA Cup. I suppose I should be really happy....and I am.....we haven't been in Europe for years and years, but it's just being pipped at the post by Arsenal that really hurts.

Having said that, I am immensly proud of the team for the way they have played this season. It's been a vast improvement, and seeing home grown players emerge like little Aaron Lennon, and Robbie Keane for his work rate and goal tally after being on the bench for the first part of the season, I think we have a good future. Long may our manager Martin Jol reign!

I hate it when the footie season ends. I really miss it but at least this year, I have the World Cup to look forward to. Hoorah!