You know how it is. The summer is here. The weather is warm. Optimism is high. The disappointments and grinding of the season has yet to chip away at the spirit. The crushing reality that most football teams fail horribly is forgotten for a while.
And it seems you can chart the fluctuation of the seasons via Harry Redknapp's hopes for Tottenham. Observe:
Summer high spirits - July 22, 2010: "I feel we could contend for the title; we have got the players here. We have to aim for it. We could win the championship. Last year, we went in saying we wanted to finish in the top four and if you don't aim for things, you have no chance."
Winter gloom - November 26, 2010: "This season we're definitely outsiders but with this group of players I have said it's not an impossible ask. The title race is more open this year than for many. And I think neutrals like to see a fresh face in the mix. We had Everton not so long ago, now Tottenham, who finished in the top four last season. With this group of players I wouldn't want anyone to rule us out."
Winter despair - February 22, 2011: "I think people get carried away thinking Tottenham should be in the Champions League. Why should we be in the Champions League? It would be a miracle if we did that. We'd never been in the Champions League before. Suddenly we do it and it's, "Oh well, we should do it again". Look at Man City, Chelsea. Have a look at their wage bill...Why should we finish above them? I think that if we make the top four it'll be a fantastic achievement for the players, but it will be tough."
Spring realism - April 8, 2011: "It's very difficult to make that top four now, but it will be even harder next year because Liverpool will come with a real rattle. They won't settle for not being a top-four club again next year. And you have City, who can't afford to be out of that top four."
Back to Summer high spirits - June 4, 2011: "We've got a great group of players. If we could add a couple to that group we can achieve anything at Tottenham. I want to win the championship with Tottenham that's my ambition. It's not impossible...We played some great stuff last year and the year before so there's no reason we can't [challenge for the title]."