We’ve (the Spurs) had a torrid week this week. A loss last weekend away at Fulham after being ahead was compounded by a galling defeat in the FA Cup replay at White Hart Lane on Wednesday. We were 3-0 up at half time and City had just had a player sent off. They went on to win 3-4 (for anyone who isn’t in the UK). We just completely collapsed after half-time.

I was watching the score on my PC from home appalled as City’s goals were eroding our lead. Horrible to watch.

Today then, I felt some trepidation at going ‘down the Lane’ to see us at home to Pompey. Making matters worse, I actually like Pompey. I like their spirit, they always strike me as another Charlton. They are a side with little cash but a huge amount of spirit. Oh and the not insignificant matter of our club captain, Jamie Redknapp’s Daddy (Harry) being their boss man and our very own Teddy playing out the twilight of his career with them. Not to mention Tim Sherwood too. A win for us puts their tenure in the Premiership in a more shaky state than it was before!

But, I needn’t have fretted about going. We did the business, just! A nail biting game saw us in the lead four times and three times we threw away our advantage to let them come back level. So, three points in the bag and for the first time this season we’re nearer a European place than a relegation place. Hurrah!

Sarah and I met up with our new pals, Olly, Phil, Bondy and the rest of the gang in the Bell and Hare for a few beers before the game and to tell the truth we were all a little nervous. Sarah, Olly and Bondy had all been in the crowd to see our defeat at the hands of man City midweek and the scars of that night were very evident. No-one was really confident.

Nonetheless, our bullishness returned after a few drinks and Ladbrokes still walked off with our £1 each from our scorecasts ….though we thought we might be on for a win at one stage with our new signing Jermain Defoe scoring the first goal and a 3-1 bet. Still, it was not to be. I wonder if we’ll ever have our day? Like I said, we’ve never won a penny!!!

What’s nice about the crowd we’ve been meeting up with is that they look out for us. They text us before we get there to arrange our place to meet and often travel back with us on the train too. (My Mum is very anxious about her ‘little girl’ traipsing across London and back on her own to footie…..especially because she sees my diary and knows I go to the pub!!!)

This pic was taken in the second half when we were 3-2 up. It’s Johnnie Jackson, a youngster who has won a place in my heart for his skill and dedication to the Lilywhites. What a top man he is.

Anyway, we did what we had to do, won the game and a nice twist is that the first goal was scored by our new boy, Jermain and our last goal was scored by our ‘old stager’ Gus Poyet and sandwiched in between a couple of corkers from the now well and truly back on form, Robbie Keane. Excellent.