That 53 year old Spurs record
Not that I particularly like to prolong your pain after yesterday's result, but I thought I would put some of the meat on the bone of that reference to our "worst start in 53 years".
This was of course the start of the 1955-56 season, under the management of Jimmy Anderson, who had taken over from push and run hero Arthur Rowe. Spurs had had a couple of mediocre seasons under Rowe, who had presided over the League Title of the 50-51 season.
In 1955, Spurs won their seventh game at home to Arsenal, by 3-1 with goals from Alfie Stokes (2) and Eddie Baily. Until then we had only one point, thanks to a 2-2 draw away to Manchester United, who were to become Champions of the 55-56 season. Spurs won their ninth game (home to Newcastle) then had to wait till game 16 for a third win, which did herald a return to form, and was the start of three wins on the trot.
Danny Blanchlower had arrived during the previous season, and was a fixture. Regulars at the start of the season included Ted Ditchburn, Eddie Baily, Johnny Brooks, Harry Clarke, Mel Hopkins, Tony Marchi and George Robb. Maurice Norman and Bobby Smith were subsequently signed from Norwich and Chelsea respectively, and Tommy Harmer got games towards the end of the season, after the departure of Baily. Spurs ultimately finished fith from bottom.
Our start so far is not even as bad as those in any of our relegation seasons (1976-77), (1934-35),(1927-28), and (1914-15). Should the un-thinkable happen, and Spurs lose at home to Hull, it would be our worst start for 86 years (1912-13), when we didn't win till the 13th game. Spurs did escape relegation that year, but a team from Woolwich didn't!
Spurs are currently enjoying their longest stay in this or indeed any other division of professional football, and despite all the doom and gloom around us at present, I honestly think that Juande Ramos will ensure that Spurs remain one of the Premier League ever-presents.
Premier League Results - 27-28.09.08
Arsenal 1-2 Hull
A. Villa 2-1 S'derland
Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Fulham 1-2 West Ham
Man Utd 2-0 Bolton
M'brough 0-1 West Brom
Newcastle 1-2 Blackburn
Stoke 0-2 Chelsea
P'tsmouth 2-0 Spurs
Wigan 2-1 Man City
Barclays Premier League
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Chelsea 6 4 2 0 12 3 9 14
2 Liverpool 6 4 2 0 7 2 5 14
3 A. Villa 6 4 1 1 12 8 4 13
4 Arsenal 6 4 0 2 12 4 8 12
5 West Ham 6 4 0 2 13 10 3 12
6 Hull 6 3 2 1 9 11 -2 11
7 Blackburn 6 3 1 2 8 12 -4 10
8 Man City 6 3 0 3 16 9 7 9
9 P'tsmouth 6 3 0 3 7 11 -4 9
10 Wigan 6 2 2 2 9 5 4 8
11 Man Utd 5 2 2 1 6 4 2 8
12 West Brom 6 2 1 3 6 7 -1 7
13 S'derland 6 2 1 3 6 8 -2 7
14 Everton 6 2 1 3 9 13 -4 7
15 Fulham 5 2 0 3 5 6 -1 6
16 M'brough 6 2 0 4 6 9 -3 6
17 Bolton 6 1 1 4 5 9 -4 4
18 Stoke 6 1 1 4 7 12 -5 4
19 Newcastle 6 1 1 4 5 11 -6 4
20 Spurs 6 0 2 4 4 9 -5 2
