The derby must mean more

Watching the League Cup Third Round draw, nerves and excitement were building. I had watched Aston Villa draw Birmingham, and almost knew for sure what would happen next. I had memorized the ball numbers. Tottenham 31, Woolwich 25. So when those two numbers were drawn against each other, I, and I’m sure this was the scene for many fans on both sides of the divide, celebrated. It’s always great to play a North London Derby. After a cracker of a game last February, I was expecting yet another classic.

I’ll confess that I am a relatively new Spurs fan, and that February game was the first I was able to watch, having been away for our 1-1 draw at the Library earlier in the season. It was everything I expected and more. I could barely hear the commentary as the home support sung ‘Oh when the Spurs…’ and many more inspiring songs. The atmosphere was incredible, even when we were 1-0 down. And when Harry Kane headed in Nabil Bentaleb’s cross, I screamed louder than I ever had watching sports. I have the autographed picture of the celebration in my bedroom as a long-lasting memory. For a first North London Derby, it couldn’t get any better.

So on that August day when the tie was drawn, I cheered, expecting the same. I was looking forward to seeing north London’s finest line up against Woolwich. It didn’t end well. After taking time to let the initial pain of the most dreaded result settle, I realize that my disappointment with this result is more because of the lackluster approach to such a massive fixture. This is the game that means everything to the support. You see it when we win, and you see it when they win.

[linequote]When the first talking point after a match is the weakness of the selected team, it is simply not good enough. Not for a regular match, and certainly not for the North London Derby[/linequote]

The game was surely built up enough. Spurs’ social media team released videos of previous goals, interviews with former heroes, and brought out all the stops. So why didn’t we do the same on the pitch? Because of a game 3 days from now? Some people may say, ”The Premier League is the main event,” but that is simply not always true. The history of our club is built on moments that are made on every single stage available. Gazza’s Wembley magic, the 5-1 Derby triumph, European glory, so many glorious FA Cup finals. Tonight was an event that could’ve become as magical.

If you spoke to every Spurs fan last Wednesday and asked which game is more important, the Europa League tie with Qarabag FK or the League Cup match against Woolwich, every single one would reply the latter. No question. So why did players like Hugo Lloris and Toby Alderweireld play against Qarabag, rather than against our biggest rivals? When the first talking point after a match is the weakness of the selected team, it is simply not good enough. Not for a regular match, and certainly not for the North London Derby.

The North London Derby is always the biggest stage. Watching Gazza’s free kick on YouTube, happening at a time I wasn’t even alive, gives me chills. As does re-watching the highlights of last year’s triumph. But on Wednesday, there was none of it. I sat in school all day, mulling over lineups, predictions and getting the butterflies only Derby Day can bring to your stomach. By the time I was home, we were 1-0 down, and I watched Chadli’s cross deflect off Chambers for the equalizer. My heart broke when Kane’s kick was cleared off the goal line. It sank when that Fazio clearance bounced to Flamini. But I never got that feeling you can only get in games like Tottenham vs Woolwich, Tottenham vs Chelsea or any other of our rivals. Tonight just didn’t feel special.

Just how it had in the draw, the Villa vs Birmingham match came first, a whole day before our kick-off. I watched it and realized how much that game means to both supporters. The game had the intensity to match. On Wednesday our fans were great. Singing all night, even more so when we were behind. But the match itself never really had the intensity. It felt like watching a pre-season friendly. Where were moments like Ryan Mason tackling Jack Wilshere, or the pure emotion from Harry Kane’s winner? Moments like Gazza jumping at Wembley, or Rafa’s shhh in our 3-2 victory. They were absent, taken away by the meaningless approach to such a meaningful game.

[linequote]On Wednesday our fans were great. Singing all night, even more so when we were behind. But the match itself never really had the intensity. It felt like watching a pre-season friendly[/linequote]

I believe in Poch. I think he will be a great manager for us. However, I think he made a mistake. A similar one to the mistake that cost us a win at Wembley last year, and a chance in the Europa League. Perhaps he didn’t fully understand what it means for those who live and breathe Spurs. I’m sure, especially after the reaction, he’ll quickly learn. There are positives. We dominated for a long stretch of the second half, and were unlucky to only score 1. I crave that feeling only this game can bring. On Wednesday night, I didn’t get it.

The lack of care felt almost like a slap to the face of the supporters for whom the game means so much. Soon, however, the pain will ease, and as October passes that anticipation will build yet again, for our date with the devil in his den November 8. It’s the game that brings out the best and worst in all of us. The game that makes me walk down the halls of my school yelling ‘Up the Spurs’ to people who’ve never watched a minute of football. The game that unites us all behind our club. The game that makes us all laugh, cry, celebrate, or wish it would all go away. And I love every minute of it.