Michael Russell bursts with pride at Spurs unearthing one of their own as he looks back on a mixed 2014/15 campaign.
How did your club fare compared to your pre-season hopes/expectation?
Just under par. I thought we’d finish sixth. The top four wasn’t a surprise but I thought Liverpool would finish above us.
2014/15 highlight?
I’m choosing a game as I’m going to talk about Harry Kane enough as it is. It’s a tough one. Despite missing out on the top four, we’ve had results this season that will be remembered. I for one loved our opening day, Eric Dier scoring in the 93rd minute against West Ham. But it’ll come down to beating Chelsea 5-3 at The Lane or beating Arsenal 2-1 a month later. I think I’ll give it’ll be the Arsenal game. Kane scoring both and the result put us ahead of the South Londoners.
Season’s low point?
The League Cup final. It certainly was the lowest I felt all season. But with hindsight, Liverpool doing the double over us makes me feel dreadful.
Player of the year
It couldn’t be anyone other than Harry Kane. He had never started a Premier League game until November. He bagged braces against our two most bitter rivals in Chelsea and Arsenal and when he scored within seconds of his England debut I almost burst with pride. He’s the sort of player you can fall in love with. One of our own as we say.
Was there a particular goal/moment that got you out of your seat?
Kane’s winner against Arsenal. He hung in the air forever. But Dier’s winner on opening day pushes that close.
Player you’d be happiest see leave this summer
Tough one. I could list a dozen, easily. But I’ll go with Emmanuel Adebayor. On an unreal amount of wages and whilst I have obvious sympathy for his family problems, we really need to see the back of him.
Want your manager to still be in charge for next term?
Yes. Absolutely. The development of some of our players (Kane, Mason, Bentaleb, Rose) have been huge plusses this season. But he MUST sort out our defence.
You can go back in time and offer the gaffer one bit of advice prior to the season just gone based on what you know is to come. What would it be?
Pick Kane from the start. We’d be playing Champions League football next season if he had.
Which opposing player received the loudest boos and which opposing player impressed you the most?
The loudest boos? Take your pick of any gooner. We didn’t really get into any other player this year. Who impressed? Aguero. Again. Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester seemed to like playing against us. He reminded me a bit of Berbatov – high praise indeed! To be fair, Leicester impressed me.
If at all, how did the media’s portrayal of your club in 2014/15 differ from the reality?
I don’t think Pochettino’s performance has been praised enough. He’s done really well.