WELL, it was fun while it lasted.

Rather than dwell on the negatives of last night's 4-0 pasting by Real Madrid – and, frankly, there are a few – I want to reflect on the incredible memories this year's run in the Champions League has given us plucky Spurs fans.

Who can forget Gareth Bale's late hat-trick against Inter Milan that, in the space of a half, turned an unedifying failure into a glorious defeat?

Even more significant was his dazzling display against the same side in the return match at White Hart Lane, when he didn't find the net himself but laid on some exquisite assists to give us victory.

Peter Crouch may have been the villain last night (although after Marcelo heartily celebrated the two-metre-tall one's second yellow I can't tell you what I want to see done to the Real Madrid defender) but Big Pete was very much the hero when his hat-trick secured our qualification for the group stages against Young Boys.

And lest we forget his goal ten minutes from time against AC Milan, which gave us an historic 1-0 win in the last round. Sheer bliss.

I say we should just enjoy our last game in this year's competition against some of the world's finest players next Wednesday night.

In the wake of having our collective rear end handed to us by Jose Mourinho's side, let's hope the lads now put every last drop of drive, skill and passion into securing fourth place in the league.

All of the superb memories from our unexpectedly long run in this year's competition will be forever tarnished if we end the season in fifth.