Red-top reading neutrals will have casually flicked onto Sunday's derby expecting a home win. Maybe not just a home win but a white-and-blue-wash of epic proportions. Total domination from Tottenham, and complete annihilation of arsenal.
In contrast, as a spurs fan, the emotional build-up was confusing. Going into the game as the bookies' favourites was unfamiliar territory, so used are we to the mantle of "the underdogs", but could the players cope with the extra pressure?
Total annihilation of our neighbours was always going to be cloud cuckoo talk, but that didn't stop the nagging feeling that nothing except a win would really satisfy..
Despite the billing of Potent Attack vs Shaky Defence, the reality was quite different. We reverted to the nervy derby-game default setting and failed to capitalise on Arsenal's shortcomings.
Our movement was disjointed, passes went astray and we struggled to assert authority over the midfield. Jermain Defoe and Adebayor were less of a partnership up front and more just two players playing near one another, Rafa van der Vaart seemed out of his element on the right hand side and Modric was finding little space to manoeuvre.
The noticeable difference our side, tellingly, wasn't anything to do with going forward, it was our organisation at the back, helped in no small part by our two newest players. Scott Parker and Brad Friedel are everything we've been lacking a the back. Focused and enterprising the pair provided a protective sandwich for a back four that has at times looked like, well,like Arsenal's.
Parker plugged away, never gaining control of the game but always hassling Arsenal as they knocked on our back door, tirelessly re-bolting any locks that Ramsay and co attempted to pick. Friedel meanwhile stood firm, coming to claim crosses and stopping straightforward shots with no trouble.
Younes Kaboul's game is also benefitting from a renewed confidence in those around him. The picture he tries to paint of this cultured European centre-back is still completely transparent but he's getting to the balls that matter and involving himself in less dreaded defensive mix-ups..
Even Ledley King seems ready to play a lot more often these days, maybe with Scott Parker as a shield, the pressure on big Led's knee may have been lightened.
The captain is back in the side today, which has got to be some sort of record. Once again, the fear of a slip-up looms large. Newcastle have started well and once again, we go in as favourites - finger crossed we deal with it as well as we did against Arsenal.
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