Walker is the better defender of course. Trip the better crosser. You can't argue with his ratio based on limited appearances. I'm actually in a relatively comfortable mental state when it comes to Poch and the team. I don't envisage a break up. I don't see us selling anyone. Not yet and not unless those within are confident it won't harm momentum and more importantly, it will improve our form (by purchasing or developing a better option). Players like Ben Davies and Trip might well want a move away at some point for the benefit of their own career in terms of minutes. We'll talk more if it happens.

Elsewhere in the game, we got treated to other pulsating moments of fun. Christian Eriksen with a clever counter and pass into midfield space and the locomotive path of Jan Vertonghen. Desperate to score, he got caught up in the moment. Son had one effort wide (too wide of the keeper and thus the wrong side of the post) and another effort tasted the bar from (yes) a Trip pass. Victor Wanyama was a late change (was meant to be on the bench) but his withdrawal is nothing to be concerned about. I don't mind him having a rest considering the monumental shift he's given us this season.

We got treated to the return of Harry Kane, in itself a miraculous sight if you dare to recall the despondency when he first limped off against Millwall. He could have scored with the last kick of the game, a thunderous free-kick that also took a bite out of the woodwork. Having him back with the Chelsea semi-final and the NLD in mind is definitely something that has perked me up. Not that I need that much of a perk these-days, supporting this grand olde team.

Remember back in the day when we we're blessed with just the single flair player we could lust after and idolise? We'd put all our hopes on the shoulders of an individual and hope he can carry us along with his teammates. Now we have an orgy of 'em. Every area of the team, every position, there's a fans favourite staring back at ya. Sure, you can drain the passion out of it all and worry about the worst case scenarios and how this team has yet to win silverware. But surely, in your heart, that can't take anything away from the affinity you feel for this group. Bit too happy-clappy for you? Don't blame me, blame the source material. Best goal difference in the league (inc the ones below the Prem).

*faints*

Poch offering a hug to Son as he was substituted was a picture. Much like the standard post-game dugout congratulations he offers to every single Spurs player leaving the pitch. He once more cited 'a winning mentality' in the press conference. It's being built. So that would mean it's not complete. Which either has us at a disadvantage or an advantage, depending if you're an optimist or pessimist. Our home form has given us the springboard to retain the tag of contenders. 'Four wins' is the difference between the team in 2nd spot and 1st. It's hardly an impossible target. It's hardly an impossible dream. Not this season, I'm talking in terms of progress from the last into this one and then into the next. Contenders for sure. Not so much pretenders anymore.

Don't listen to me, listen to the guvnor:

"We are talking about building that winning mentality. That is a good opportunity to be aware that in the future to win trophies it is all about to keep going, to push, to believe."

"The message for us is to keep pushing and win games, that is our job. Then what happens with Chelsea is their problem. We will see. If they fail, our job is done because we are there. But it is still up to them to win the Premier League."

"Football is going in a different direction than it was 10 or 15 years ago. It is a collective matter, more than before. There are 24 players that can affect that mentality at the club."

"First of all, with the chairman and all the staff - I think it is important to build that winning mentality and believe. I think that is a thing that we are working on from day one, and maybe we are seeing the time and work start to reward us."

"I think it is not done. We have a lot of work to do. It is not easy but were excited about the future of this club."

My God man. Never leave. I know you will someday but just don't, not for a while yet. Not until history is kind enough to give me the chance of a moment in the future when I can tell my grand-kids about Poch and his fighting cockerels and that time we won the <TBC>.

His mantra, his ethic, that over-used word we've been listening to since the very beginnings of his tenure...philosophy...it's tangible. It's a reality we exist in. Sure, rival fans will poke fun with textbook emotional naivety claiming 'what you won then? nuffin mate'. They will, with straight-laced lunacy - question 'why you celebrate so much at coming back to beat Swansea? lol. It meant nothing'. It's not our problem. Their insecurities never are, even though a fair few of them require a constant acknowledgement from us to help define their hatred. No matter what, we stand here all proud because if you're Tottenham you can't help but lose yourself in all of it.

We've wanted a team that's more than an (mis)advenutre. We've wanted a team that isn't just a scientific theory, glowing in Powerpoint but ultimately hollow in real-time action. We've wanted the very best of our traditions with backbone and relentless spirit. One that also reflects the very best attributes of the fanbase, binding us altogether. You want to be able to look at your football club and see your own reflection. You need to be able to recognise your team and instinctively know they represent every fibre in your body. Identity of this ilk is for many a holy grail. We've got our hands on it. One hand. The other is reaching.

Basically, short version, we're f**king mint, mate.

Honestly, we could implode* again and I'd still feel the same way.

*please don't f**king implode, ffs Spurs, do not implode

We remain one of the best sides in the land. Still fledgling but up against a ticking clock that has no conscious for romanticised notions of longevity. Marching on as best we can, knowing full well that we are up against the might and lure of the money teams at home and abroad. Growing, maturing, learning. Fearless in motion. An almost complete reinvention of a football club that has suffered from fragility but has now found strength. From within. We always had it, we just had no idea or direction before. It took a single appointment to change it all.

We've got everything now. Well almost everything. We need something to stick some ribbons on. But that single appointment, that one man...of all the pieces, he remains the most vital. What he's building has to be completed, consolidated so that it retains itself as the benchmark, the standard for the future beyond this side. What is paramount is unlike certain other clubs that become a Dorian Gray reflection of the manager and ultimately suffer a disconnectivity with the fanbase thanks to a blank canvas approach, Poch is painting a masterpiece and not a narcissistic self-portrait.

Mauricio mate, think it's time someone gave you a hug.