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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Newcastle United
Prem Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 9 5 1 3 19 -13 16
Away 10 2 3 5 11 -19 9
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Total(Prem) 19 7 4 8 30 -32 25
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Lge Div 1
Home 43 24 7 12 87 -48 59
Away 43 15 14 14 70 -76 45
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Total(Div 1) 86 39 21 26 157 -124 109
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Lge Div 2
Home 6 1 3 2 6 - 7 5
Away 6 3 0 3 6 - 4 6
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Total(Div 2) 12 4 3 5 12 -11 11
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Total(Prem) 19 7 4 8 30 -32 25
Total(Div 1) 86 39 21 26 157 -124 109
Total(Div 2) 12 4 3 5 12 -11 11
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Grand Total 117 50 28 39 199 -167 145
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It isn't very often that you can see a game in which the two fastest
scorers are present. But, if selected, Ledley King and Alan Shearer, who
have scored goals in 10 and 10.4 seconds respectively, will be on view in
this match. Ledley, of course, scored against Bradford City a couple of
seasons ago, whereas Shearer scored his goal a couple of weeks ago against
Manchester City.
As can be seen, Tottenham have a very good home record against Newcastle
United, who do not seem to travel very well sometimes. They seem to have a
problem in winning matches in London at present.
Over the years, I have enjoyed watching Spurs -v- Newcastle matches. It
was in this fixture that I think Jimmy Greaves scored one of his greatest
ever goals in October 1969. Newcastle were a very strong side in those
days and were defending the Fairs Cup, which they had won the previous
season. I remember Greaves had put us ahead and Newcastle were pounding us
for an equaliser. They won a corner which was cleared to Jimmy, hovering
on the edge of the penalty area. Greaves streaked upfield, the Newcastle
defenders caught cold and out of position. Calmly, Greaves slotted the
ball in the Newcastle goal to win the game for Tottenham.Read a full feature on Jimmy Greaves here
Newcastle's great days were, of course, largely before the First World
War, although they have had their moments since. I can, for example,
remember them winning the FA Cup three times in the 1950s, a feat Spurs
achieved in the 1960s. But teams grow old and decline and Newcastle spent
time in the old Second Division. In the 1980s they came pretty close to
dropping even further until Keegan signed for them as a player and began
the revolution that has led them to where they are now. Newcastle have had
their ups and downs but, at the moment, they look a good bet for the
Champions' League next season. Bellamy must learn to curb his
frustrations, however!
There have been connections between the two clubs in the past, eg Spurs
signed Les Ferdinand from Newcastle United. But possibly the best ever
signing Spurs made was when they appointed Peter McWilliam as manager of
Spurs in 1912. He had been forced to retire from the game after a
troublesome injury and took up his appointment without any previous
experience. It was a colossal gamble by Charles Roberts and his Board of
Directors but it paid off. McWilliam led Spurs to the FA Cup in 1921 and
helped us to regain our First Division place after our demotion in place
of Arsenal. McWilliam left for Middlesbrough in February 1927 and later
scouted for Arsenal before returning to Tottenham as manager in 1938. He
retired as a manager in 1943.
Another connection gave us Keith Burkinshaw. Sacked by Newcastle, Terry
Neill appointed him as Coach for season 1975-76 and when Neill returned to
Highbury, he was promoted to Manager. His first season ended in relegation
but Spurs promptly bounced back after a few wobbles late in the season. It
was Burkinshaw who started the modern interest in foreign footballers by
signing Ardiles and Villa. His 1980s side was one of the most stylish
Spurs sides of all time but Burkinshaw eventually left the club after the
club had gone public and had been listed on the Stock Exchange. His
parting words to the press were "There used to be a football club over
there!" pointing to the offices.Read a full feature article on The Burkinshaw Years here
Probably our best signing of a player from Newcastle was the bubbly
irrepressible Gazza, though Chris Waddle was not far behind him for skill.
Gazza will always be revered for some of the goals he scored for Spurs in
1989, 1990 and 1991, particularly the free-kick he took against Arsenal,
at Wembley.
Waddle was not so easily appreciated at first as he took a full season to
settle before flowering. His departure to Monaco signalled the end of
Spurs as a big buyer (apart from the purchase of Rebrov!) and Spurs have
generally been a selling club since then.
I suspect that part of the reasons behind Newcastle's high turnover in
managers is that the Directors and supporters are impatient for better
days. Many managers have scarcely stayed two years. As Spurs have shown,
it takes a long time to turn a club around after years of mediocrity. It
takes a long time to build a squad. Bobby Robson was appointed in
September 1999 after Ruud Gullit was sacked. It has taken him nearly four
years to fashion the Toon into a force to be feared.
This week's game is hard to call. Much will depend on which Tottenham team
appears. There should be some motivation because we are playing one of the
really tough teams in the Premiership. Spurs need the points if they are
to climb the table to qualify for Europe. I take Spurs to win PROVIDING
they concentrate for 90 minutes and keep Shearer and Bellamy quiet.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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