There is a sense of collective of fatalism about how this could all be apparent for Ipswich.
The conversation on the train that was on its way early on Saturday evening was consumed by the question of whether the club, now five points of safety, had been promoted too early and manager Kieran McKenna also emphasized the perspective.
“The supporters know the journey they have been on,” he said. “Five years ago we were in the middle of League One and they (Tottenham) were in the Champions League final.”
But although McKenna looked modest – “It's not in our hands,” he said – Ipswich played at least with Brio and Fire, and the 4-1 Scorelijn flattered traces. In a weekend when Southampton and Leicester were returned, you thanked God for the fight of Ipswich. At least one of the lower three makes a fist of this.
Portman Road is a world away from the worldwide elite of the division. 'Always proud. Always Ipswich, always Suffolk 'reads the legend on the wall outside the club shop. No Premier League club feels more typically locally. It is a throwback that contributes to a feeling that they can hardly believe that they are here. Echos of the big days from the 70s and 80s when the club also struck its weight.
Moss is now growing on the head dock, but the club did not let the grass grow under their feet when they reached the top again. So much was clear in a compelling first half against Spurs, full of ippswich team work and flair.
There seems to be a trend among some Ipswich players to wear their socks around their calves. It telegraphs the work ethics and it just happened in such a way that the three who did it on Saturday – Liam Delap, Jack Clarke and Leif Davis – worked triangles on the same side of the field.
They shown together for that old stand – and above all. There is a feeling of schoolyard for his football – which pours his foot on every occasion, and jumps to navigate high balls in the paths of others. Superstar quality.
There was a subtlety to the excellent Omari Hutchinson's contribution, which wore the ball and the pressure. It was good to see some of the old Kalvin Phillips, at the center of the midfield of Ipswich – agile touches and infallible collisions. There was a wonderful balance for this team.
The holes Ippswich had spurs in their midfield for them. Determine counterfeit passes for son Heung-Min to completely let Ben Godfrey back for killing. McKenna's post-match rating ran around these defensive shortcomings.
The problem with the aiming of the manager to collect 'points at a greater pace, now' is that Ipswich has no series of 'winable' games until the end, when they are confronted with West Ham and Leicester in May. This week's visit to Old Trafford is one of only three games before 3 May against one side outside the top eight. It would be a story if they could find a way and survive.
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