With the north London derby looming, Tottenham fans are reaching for the cliches. "Form goes out of the window", a "new manager bounce", or "anything can happen".
Never before has the gulf in a north London derby appeared so wide, but even with the abyss looming, hope does start to gnaw away at you. The thought... "could we?" is already starting to form in the back of my mind.
I'm very familiar with the gulf between Arsenal and Tottenham. Most of my childhood was spent in its presence. Every Monday morning returning to school in north London, I'd have to endure the taunts from that cocky lot.
But things did change. For most of my adulthood, it has been a pothole and occasionally non-existent. But then, thanks to one man, Vinai Venkatesham, we're back in the mid-90s, where our chances rest on nothing more than a 'fool's hope'.
Our CEO loves to pat himself on the back for his 'job well done' down the road, while fully ignoring the bonfire at N17. Vinai has brought back the dark days with some aplomb.
We're five points away from relegation and so frightened of what might happen that we've parachuted in a relegation-saving expert.
This is not a north London derby I'm looking forward to - but still, it is littered with possibility.
Both clubs approach this game with an opportunity to make a statement.
For Arsenal, it's a chance to show they have the fortitude to finally win a two-way title race, especially after the setback at Wolves. For Spurs, it's about changing course.
Igor Tudor's first game against 'them lot' offers him the opportunity to build some optimism and put some distance between us and the Championship.
In my lifetime, I've seen some wonderful north London derby fixtures and some absolute disasters.
Right now, I'm not sure what road this one is on, because we all know "form goes out of the window" - or so my side of the divide hopes.
Find more from Bardi at The Extra Inch - a Spurs podcast
Come back on Saturday for the fan view from the Arsenal side of the rivalry.