It was almost two weeks to the day when a Tottenham Hotspur fanbase united in their belief that Premier League relegation was an apocalyptic potential. On Wednesday, we joined as one to appreciate what we've got in Archie Gray.
An aggregate defeat has never felt so morally blissful for Spurs. Ultimately, AntonÃn Kinsky's horrorshow in Madrid left Igor Tudor's side with too much to do in the return leg, but winning in N17 was crucial for maintaining the momentum built from Sunday's hard-fought and deserved point at Anfield.
This was a performance that certainly wasn't without error, but the bright sparks, without question, outweighed the nadirs. Mathys Tel made the wrong decision once or twice but was a hugely positive influence, while Xavi Simons reminded us why he has 'face of the franchise' potential after a difficult run of form.
Xavi struck twice and Tel created the other in a 3-2 victory, ensuring our remarkable unbeaten record at home in Europe extended to 25 games. However, these two were outshone by the recently-turned 20-year-old in the middle of the park.
Archie Gray is the future of Tottenham Hotspur
Gray entered the second leg with his lofty reputation still intact amid a woeful campaign for the Lilywhites. Still, there was perhaps a sense that while the versatile midfielder had held his own amid the difficulties, he hadn't yet shown himself to be the potentially game-changing addition some thought him to be when he beat out stiff competition for his signature two summers ago.
His performance on Wednesday didn't merely prove how special he could be, but how good Archie Gray already is.
The Englishman's ability to play pretty much anywhere has been exploited (out of necessity) by three managers in N17, but there's no doubting that his future lies in a midfield position. That's where he could blossom into a star.
Tudor, who's starting to turn things around ahead of the crucial six-pointer on Sunday, absolutely loves the kid. He's his favorite, for sure. The boss spoke about Gray like a proud father post-match.
âHe's a guy, you know the positions he plays everywhere, so probably this position in the middle is, I believe, the best one for him. But he's playing continually in the right way, in a good way," he told reporters (via Spurs Army).
âIt's a mix of quality, physically and mentally, to always make the right choices and be humble and have legs to do so. He needs to continue this, he's still young, so every day he needs to be a new confirmation."
Suddenly, Spurs have got something in the engine room with Gray starring alongside Pape Matar Sarr. We've got a couple of courageous footballers willing to get their foot on the ball, take risks, and get their team up the pitch. They may make costly mistakes, but their inhibition in possession will only serve to benefit this team, one that produced its most dazzling display of the season on Wednesday.
This is not merely a case of us supporters getting a little too excited over 81 minutes of Gray brilliance, attempting to atone for the months of hopelessness we've been subject to. The Spaniards watching on were taken aback, too. Atléti midfielder Marcos Llorente offered his appreciation after Gray was withdrawn, shaking the young Englishman's hand, while AS journalist Pablo Montaño provided an apt description.
"A proper all-round footballer."