Striking Beauty

Ending an unbeaten run against Chelsea, in a game of equals, must be considered an honourable defeat. If there was a defence able to close down our in-form strike force it was this one. But despite one defeat, the fact remains that Spurs have finally found a finishing touch – 27 goals in 9 games – and that is a comforting thought after losing out on the FA-cup.

Kevin McCarra, chief football correspondent for The Guardian, recently commented that perhaps ‘Tottenham are the new Arsenal’. Hardly the best way to ingratiate oneself with Spurs fans, regardless of which aspect of the Gunners inspires the comparison, but he did redeem himself somewhat this week by saying that ‘Spurs are the most attractive team in the premiership at the moment, since Arsenal are in the doldrums’. Quite so. And that this is very much due to Dimitar Berbatov is no longer a secret, but the stuff of daily headlines. Female football fans predictably swoon in masses but then again, so do the male ones: I feel better about my covetousness knowing that James Richardson suffers from the same condition…

Mr McCarra’s original point was that Spurs are like Arsenal in that, while attacking with energy and style, ‘they seem to resent the idea that they’re being forced to defend’. The striking lack of clean sheets and the goal difference in the Premiership still in the negative certainly supports the idea that the upsurge in form has more to do with accomplished attacking than a bolstered defence, despite Michael Dawson’s increasingly excellent performances. Needless to say, this is not the doing of one man; Berbatov’s settling into the English game has coincided with the midfield play getting stronger and a more consistent ability to win the ball, retain it and push it forward obviously means that the front men have more to work with. But Berbatov’s ability to read the game, be in the right place, set up his strike partners or finish it off himself has been the pivot in the newfound attractiveness of Spurs. Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane, both very talented strikers in their own right, look even better players for being alongside him.

Berbatov’s performance in the 4-1 against Bolton, which sparked the recent media frenzy around him, epitomised his resourcefulness. Playing alone up front for half of the game in a 10-man team, he seemed to be everywhere, controlling the ball as with a magnet and never stopped creating chances from all angles. He was rightly applauded as man of the match by an amazed press and has risen from relative obscurity to being hailed as the best forward in the Premiership along Didier Drogba. Gone are the days where people sceptically commented that he was a bit too ‘lightweight’ for the English game – but then again, utterly gone are also the days when defenders managed to push him off the ball. The Times published graphics of the first FA-cup game between Chelsea and Tottenham which showed where Berbatov (and Drogba) had touched the ball. They revealed the versatility of his game, his movement and ability both in linking up play from different positions and in finishing in the penalty area. He transpires as the ultimate all-round centre forward – and a 26 year-old still improving one at that.

"Not only has Dimitar scored goals for us, he has been a leader," Jermaine Jenas told the Telegraph, "He has helped in terms of the work ethic we think we should put in - he tracks back, works hard, takes responsibility, and now he is getting his rewards."

The leadership abilities add an important piece to the puzzle. During the ‘slump’ in form, indeed since Ledley King got injured, a lack of leadership on the field appeared to be the main malaise of Spurs. A ‘softness’ which partly had to do with winning the ball, but mainly was a mental one. Cue inconsistent performances. The comprehensive 4-0 beating of Fulham in the cup was a turning point for the team, a game in which direction and responsibility abounded – to the point where the players shouted at each other. Good results breeds a good mood and confidence, and there is not need for shouting at the moment. Instead there is a strong sense of common purpose, visible in team play which was always showed skill but was inconsistent in execution. It is all coming together, the new players settled in, all players settled with each other and natural leadership allowed to flourish. Spurs have rediscovered the art of striking beautifully.

Following in the wake of the sudden mass of attention on Berbatov as the talisman and engineer of Spurs striking capacity are fears among us fans of epic proportions. Do we get to keep him or will he be cruelly snatched away? Is this love affair doomed by the powers that be to end in tragedy, in a ‘fearful passage of their death-mark’d love’, or is it, could it be, a comedy ending in marriage, ‘ever true in loving’? Whichever will be the case, Spurs fans can at the very least live in the moment, take pleasure in the football played by the team and gaze in wonder and amazement at the striking beauty of Dimitar Berbatov.

Celebrations at the Fulham game in February (image from www.tottenhamhotspur.com)