Okay, so we have lost our nine year record against Spurs. But after watching what was the worst performance of the season, and by a long way the most embarrassing game I have watched since 6-1 v United, there is much more to this game than the record. Allow me to explain.

When the chips are down, it’s the captain’s responsibility to resurrect what might be a lost cause, or at worst, ensure that a bit of pride can be taken away from whichever ground you have just disgraced. This can be done in several ways:
a) Leading by example
b) Leading vocally
c) Rousing the troops by driving forward attacks (Toure-esque.)

However, William Gallas showed none of those qualities today, despite being the best captain since Vieira for the most part of this season. He had a wobbly performance, yes contributed to by the unfamiliar Justin Hoyte by his side, but then showed, thanks to the glorious Super-duper-slow-motion cameras of Sky Sports, that, at 2-0 down, the underlying trait of moan, groan and sulk Gallas that we loved to hate wearing the Blue of Chelsea still exists. Then, after half time, with a game still on, he came out, and was exactly the same. He wasn’t our captain today - perfectly displayed by Hoyte’s futile tackle in the corner to earn himself a booking - and in fact did his level best to forward someone else’s name to take the lead. This was epitomised by his tussle with Barry Bender - where Gallas’ ‘had enough’ attitude was perfectly on display - and it was lost soul Gilberto, who acted once again as the true leader of men that we saw last season.

It was this that got me thinking - is Gallas one of those captains (Perhaps like Thierry would have been if circumstances would have allowed it), who is only good when we’re winning? No doubt in my mind that when we play well, or gain a last-gasp victory, that Gallas motivates the team - he orchestrates the huddle, he leads the team in the laps of honour, he pumps his fists the hardest. But Gilberto - the man who has been non-existent this season - is the sort of player who can stop the rot, who can inspire some pride from the depths of a poor performance (e.g. Pompey last season), who will not (outwardly) get fed up and get out of his pram every time things do not please him. Having said this, I don’t think Gallas should be ousted from his well earned position - I suppose his anger shows passion, even in the most unproductive of mediums - but I just can’t help but wonder whether towards the end of the season, or in the middle or a poor bout of form, can we really have a captain like Gallas who tonight did his level best to remind of us of days gone by?

But, I don’t think this was the biggest thing we can take from the game. A lot of people might say that tonight’s team should have included all of the big guns from the beginning - and prevented the drubbing before it had even begun - but we know Wenger better than that. Let’s face it - Tottenham played out of their skins tonight, and it would have been a tough test in current form for our staring eleven to make it into a victory. Yes, we saw a side of Hoyte no one wants to see, and yes, Traore was dire with some passing moves in the game - but I’m certain that these fringe boys will learn more from a drubbing by their North London rivals than they will from a 3-0 cruise control victory against Sheffield United.

With that said, I’m glad Adebayor played, and lost that record of his. He was the only player with a bit of urgency on the pitch today, answered a few hanging questions about his purpose in some minds, and maybe now he has shook this ridiculously co-incidental record of no defeats when he scores, we can get on and concentrate on finding the form to beat Kev’s army on Saturday.

One final thing - well done to all those who stayed the full 90 minutes - I wasn’t there, and it must have been so I easy to walk out and go home. I was so tempted to switch it off at numerous points - but just hearing that new Adebayor chant we started at Fulham throughout the last half hour, hearing ‘we are off to Moscow’ for the whole second half, and seeing Beret Man taking on the whole of Sh*te Hart Lane with his scarf waving made it almost worth watching the whole thing.

Plus, who needs stupid records anyway! See you all on St. Totteringham’s day- the real proof of the best team in North London!