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This preview was written by Brian Judson

Full Record of Spurs -v- Sunderland

Prem           Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home            2   2   0   0     5-1    6
Away            2   1   0   1     5-2    3
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Total (Prem)    4   3   0   1    10-3    9
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Football League
Home (Div 1)   37  14  12  11    57-45  42
Away (Div 1)   37   8  11  18    31-60  29
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Total (Div 1)  74  22  23  31    88-105 71
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Football League
Home (Div 2)    1   0   0   1     2-3    0
Away (Div 2)    1   1   0   0     2-1    2
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Total (Div 2)   2   1   0   1     4-4    2
===========================================
Total (Prem)    4   3   0   1    10-3    9
Total (Div 1)  74  22  23  31    88-105 71
Total (Div 2)   2   1   0   1     4-4    2
===========================================
Grand Total    80  26  23  33   102-112 82
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This particular fixture always evokes special memories for me as the corresponding fixture of the 1969-70 season marked the occasion of Steve Perryman's debut for Tottenham. We had made an indifferent start to the season, beating Burnley twice, winning at Arsenal, Crystal Palace and West Ham and beating Ipswich at home but crashing in terrible fashion against Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester City and Derby County. These last two games had been awful, exposing our defensive frailties for all to see.

The team changes named Perryman. He had only played 14 games for the reserves after being promoted from the youth team and had played in all four of the North American tour games during the summer. No-one except those who had attended reserve team or youth team games were aware of him. He quickly made his presence felt and it was not his fault that Spurs lost to Sunderland that day. The goal we conceded was the result of a misunderstanding between Pat Jennings and Mike England. Pat had called to Mike to leave the ball but Mike did not hear him and backheaded the ball into his own goal, thinking Pat was still on his goal-line.

Another home game that few of us will want to remember will be the League Cup tie against Sunderland in December 1984. This was only a matter of months after we had won the UEFA Cup and Peter Shreeve had succeeded Keith Burkinshaw, who had fallen out with Irving Scholar. We were dreadful that night against a team soon to be relegated to the old Third Division. That season was Perryman's last full season at Tottenham. We lost 2-1 in a replay, Roberts scoring from the penalty spot after we had drawn 0-0 at Roker Park.

However, I have happier memories of another home game against Sunderland. This one took place in November 1968. Spurs had problems up front so Mike England, sporting a Mexican-style moustache, played in the number 9 shirt with Pete Collins, a young reserve, wearing the number 5 shirt. Greaves scored 4 goals that afternoon and England grabbed the other.

Sunderland's great days occurred long before WW2. They have not won the League since 1935-36 and have not won the Cup since 1973. They have had some great players down the years but seldom enough of them to make much of an impression on the League. Their current squad looks to be the best they have had for a long time but it still seems to lack that certain something that changes a good team into a conquering team. Peter Reid is probably one of the shrewdest managers in the business.

And tomorrow? Tottenham's fragile confidence has been shattered, possibly beyond repair. Some of that is down to loss of form on the part of some players, eg Tim Sherwood. Others may be affected by the storm of barracking from the terraces which never helps a team when it is fragile. No matter how badly the team plays, supporters should get behind the team and support it. Barracking players like Vega will only serve to ensure they make even more mistakes than ever.

I would not like to predict the outcome of tomorrow's match. It will probably turn on which of the two teams scores first. An early goal for Tottenham might steady some nerves.

But whatever happens, for God's sake get behind the team and do not barrack anyone, including Sugar and Graham, as it will not persuade Sugar to go or Graham to resign. Both are proud, stubborn men. Both will not take much notice of the barracking but the players will ......

Cheers, Brian

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