They asked all the Times sportswriters to name their predictions for The Top Four in this year’s Premiership. Out of 8 writers, all but one had Spurs in that Top 4. Holy cow. I hate that. It puts me under immense pressure, gives me performance anxiety, it changes the game. I’d rather we just came ‘out of nowhere’. And yet… and yet…

With Chelsea in meltdown (must end soon, surely? in fact probably next weekend when they play Spurs) only 2 had the Blues in their list. One even had Southampton. None named West Ham. Because however well they start a season, it inevitably turns to shit and leads to a relegation struggle by March. We hope.

Starting this weekend when the Hammers pay us a visit. In a 6 pointer. At very least. A real must win game for us against a team who’ve beaten Arsenal, Liverpool (not that they’re much), Manchester City and all other big teams. Though lost to Bournemouth and numerous other not such big teams rather pathetically.

Spurs definitely have the talent. And we have growing confidence now, having gone unbeaten for 10 games, including the one at Arsenal where we really should have won.

And that’s generally the issue. The problem. When the final tally is made, the silly points dropped. The draw against Stoke when we were 2-nil up, the Arsenal game, others too where we just didn’t quite… when it just failed to… when another goal would have…

The would’a should’a could’as. The curse of White Hart Lane.

Yet I remain optimistic. But only with the aid of certain pharmacological enhancements.

Tomorrow we’re going to a Hindu wedding. Small affair. Just 650 people. In Park Lane. Kick off at 9.30am. Ends long after midnight. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Bollywood Nights, dancing, saris and curry.

Happy Friday

A xxxx