Champions League Draws Means Tottenham Must Prioritise Prem

Well, we needed that Champions League draw like Avram needs Karren Brady to discover she has a clone. Until Lineker gave Barcelona a bye to the semifinal where they await the winners of the Spurs v Real Madrid quarter final, 'Arry might have cherished thoughts of actually winning the biggest prize in club football.

Had the draw been kind, Tottenham might have found themselves an easy route through to the final, via Shaktar and Inter. Real might have knocked out Barcelona and lost in the semifinal to Chelsea, with Inter winning their quarter final, defeating Man Utd over two legs. Tottenham would have still been an outside bet against the Plastics in the Final but they would at least have been in with a shout.

But not now. To win it, Tottenham now have to beat Real Madrid, Barcelona and probably one of Man Utd or Chelsea. Forget it. 'Arry might as well play the kids at the Bernabéu to save first teamer's legs!

So tomorrow's game now becomes the first in a series of Cup Finals for Tottenham as they chase a finishing position in the top 4 as their only route through to next year's Champions League competition. They have a taste for it now and will be desperate for a repeat helping next year.

The timing couldn't be worse. Until that draw, our need was the greater; now that's not so clear cut. We are playing to stay in the Prem; Tottenham to stay in the Champions League. Read like that, our chances don't seem great do they? But we beat them at Upton Park and a win at White Hart Lane is long overdue so, who knows?

Come On You Irons!