Where has it gone wrong?

"Defoe had to visit the club doctor straight after the final whistle with a stomach complaint – Don't worry Jermain, you were not the only one who felt sick after the match…"

Tottenhamuppfödda Lee Phillips gör debut som midweek-krönikor på spurs.se. Lee, som nu bor i Stockholm besöker regelbundet White Hart Lane och tänker försöka beskriva den starka känsla av hopp och förtvivlan som upplevs av en infödd Spurssupporter i dessa tider. Det blir reflektioner från allt som rör klubben nu till matchminnen från glory days. Första krönikan publiceras även på nyhetssidan, men i fortsättningen kommer endast THSS-medlemmar läsa dem (och då på krönikor-sidan). Välkommen att börja, Lee!

Where Has It Gone Wrong?

It is a Monday night, I'm in Stockholm Sweden. Five or so below zero and a mixture of snow and rain pouring down on me is not a good omen. I'm already wet and cold and although I don't have to suffer the grey concrete jungle that is North London I'm not in an optimistic mood. Villa away isn't an easy fixture at the best of times. Something of a bogey team in the past, thats not to mention that they are enjoying a good run of results as well. The wheels really have fallen off the wagon for us.

Cast your mind back three months. The sun was shining and a new and much needed management structure was in place and to a certain degree my faith in Daniel Levy and the ENIC sports group was restored. I say to a certain degree because quite clearly the jury is still out on that one. Fourteen new players had been drafted in, the dead wood was being eliminated and they had shored up the defence, but at what cost?

Santini came with a very good pedigree and targetted our weak area's. However like any Spurs fan of my generation I grew up with my father and his peers druming it into me that it is important to play the 'Tottenham way'. Free flowing footaball, ball to feet, with excitment and passion. Grinding out results against top teams like Liverpool, (home) Newcastle, and Everton (away) was satisfying. But I really knew something was amiss when I had to endure the boredom and absolute shambles that was played out at Portsmouth and in particular when I flew back to England to watch the Bolton match.

As my father and I struggled through the traffic on the A10 down to White Hart Lane news came through the radio that club president and Spurs legend Bill Nicholson had died a the age of 85. Being known affectionly as 'Mr Tottenham'. Bill Nicholson really did optimise that everything good about Tottenham and what the club stood for. He was our history.

It was with this sad fact in mind that I took my seat for the match. After the minutes silence I anticipated a glourious win, played in the style that would honour Bill Nic's memory. What I did suffer however was 90 minutes of purely dull football. If I was angry my father was furious; "Never coming again" and "disgusting" were two quotes I remember most vivdly. I had heard this before only this time I thought he actually meant it.

Another defeat away to Fulham and it was only the early season form and encouraging wins in the league cup that keep me coming back for more. Still it came as quite a shock to hear that Santini had quit on the eve of the Charlton game. But as my dad said, was he really what Tottenham needed?

When Martin Jol stepped into the breach for the Charlton game; lets face it we all knew he would be given the job full time. The board could not allow the situation to run on like last seasons fiasco under the stewardship of David Pleat. A new manager and the four league defeats in a row were not really receiving the attention they deserved. 'Optimism' once more the key word. Defeat to Arsenal at home (do you see a pattern developing) in what is embarrasingly becoming our 'cup final' each season followed.

I find myself sat in Stringfellows -no not the strip club in London- but the homely pub like atmosphere in St Eriksplan. Nusing my sixth or was it seventh beer? I'm depressed. The combination of rain and snow hasn't stopped. Spurs should have been awarded a penalty which may have changed the course of the game but that becomes secondary. We've once again dropped three points. Erik Edman went off injured at half time and Defoe had to visit the club doctor straight after the final whistle with a stomach complaint – Don't worry Jermain, you were not the only one who felt sick after the match I'm sure. However Martin Jol said that there were some positives to be taken from the game. Where have I heard that before? Very reassuring, thanks Martin.

Next up Middlesbrough at home. If Spurs lose this one it will be seven defeats in a row. A significant figure indeed when you consider it will equal our worse ever run of defeats in the clubs history. A history which began in 1882 and is 122 years old.

I was reading the BBC website last night and amazed to discover Noureddine Naybet (our most experinced defender) was quoted as saying "we're not a good team". I wonder if team spirit is still high? I will be in London for the game this weekend and I'm hoping the outlook will be a lot brighter. More sun than rain and snow please. Because lets face it, when a pleasant and reassuring smile from the attractive barmaid fails to cheer you up, then you know somethings not quite right!

Lee Phillips