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· This season's home game - Spurs 3 Derby 1, 21.10.2000
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This preview was written by Brian Judson

Full Record of Derby County -v- Spurs

Premier       Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts

Home           5   2   3   0     7-4    9
Away           4   2   0   2     5-6    6
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Total (Prem)   9   4   3   2    12-10  15
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Football Lge
Home (Div 1)  24  13   4   7    41-25  31
Away (Div 1)  24   3   8  13    29-60  16
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Total (Div 1) 48  16  12  20    70-85  47
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Football Lge
Home (Div 2)   1   0   1   0     0-0    1
Away (Div 2)   1   0   1   0     1-1    1
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Total (Div 2)  2   0   2   0     1-1    2
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Total (Prem)   9   4   3   2    12-10  15
Total (Div 1) 48  16  12  20    70-85  47
Total (Div 2)  2   0   2   0     1-1    2
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Grand Total   59  20  17  22    83-96  64
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Derby have had a dreadful season so far so this should be an opportunity for us to secure our second away victory of the season. We have already beaten them 3-1 at Tottenham. However, it should be noted they have only lost in the League at Pride Park twice this season. These defeats were by Manchester United (0-3) and Liverpool (0-4).

Last season, we beat Derby 1-0, our goal being scored by Chris Armstrong in the 37th minute. Ginola deceived three defenders with his run, and made open ground. He had time to measure his cross, which reached Armstrong at the back post, who scored with a determined header. Ginola took all the plaudits, and deservedly so - for it was his goal, as much as the struggling striker's.

The return game saw us scrape a lucky 1-1 draw. Derby were still not safe from relegation when they visited us. Derby put Spurs under the cosh on the hour, and Kinkladze lifted the ball over the over-committed Walker (for a change) to put Burley clear near the bye-line. Anderton did well to head clear the danger, but Spurs then had a scramble to clear from a Carbonari effort. The Derby defender stayed up for the next corner. Sol got drawn out of the area as Kinkladze tricked Young again, Delap picked up the ball, then cut back for Carbonari to drive into the corner for a deserved goal. Near the end of the game, the boo boys were just getting ready to vent their anger, when up popped Clemence standing almost on the goal line, when an Anderton corner was headed goalwards, and Clemence at first blocked the header then back-heeled it over the line.

Derby have been boosted by the arrival of Taribo West on loan from AC Milan. He has made a huge impact on their defence and Derby hope to sign him permanently at the end of the season. Although Derby are still too close to the relegation zone, they look to be in better shape than they were last season.

For those of us who are purists, it is sad to see Derby struggling at the bottom of the table. When they won two championship titles in the early 1970s, Derby were a very positive and attack-minded team. They were not frightened to concede goals as they were always confident they could score more than they conceded. It was always a joy to watch John O'Hare and Kevin Hector scoring goals for Derby but we must not forget the valuable contribution from players like Alan Hinton and Archie Gemmill.

When Brian Clough became manager of Derby County, the Rams had been languishing in Division Two since the end of season 1952-53 when they had been relegated with Stoke City. The Rams had even experienced the humiliation of relegation to the old Third Division (North) and being knocked out of the FA Cup by Boston United, 6-1.

One of Clough's earliest signings was Dave Mackay. The old warhorse knew his days at Tottenham were numbered and sought his release. Mackay was converted to the role of sweeper and led Derby to the Second Division championship. Those who attended the match at the Baseball Ground when Derby thrashed Spurs 5-0 will remember how Mackay skippered Derby to success from patrolling just a few yards at the back. Mackay's role was to ensure that nothing slipped behind Roy McFarland, their young centre-half.

When Derby won their first championship, they were sunning themselves on the beach. They had finished the season early and only Leeds and Liverpool could top their tally of 58 points. But Leeds lost at Wolves 2-1 and Liverpool could only draw at Highbury, 0-0. In 1974-75, Derby again won the championship. Liverpool again chased them home whilst Ipswich Town were third.

But the salad days have long since disappeared for Derby and they have not enjoyed much success in the intervening years. They have had nine managers since Dave Mackay steered them to their second title. Roy McFarland has had two spells as manager. The longest period under one manager was when Arthur Cox was manager from 1984 to 1993. Their current manager, Jim Smith, has been in charge since June 1995 but is expected to stand down soon to be replaced by present Assistant Manager Colin Todd, whose best days as a player were spent with Derby.

Finally, a quirky point that may interest you. In 1933, Derby reached the Sixth Round of the FA Cup and were drawn away to Sunderland. The interest in this tie, considering neither club were particularly high in the table, was phenomenal. Four train loads of supporters were turned back eight miles before they reached Sunderland as the gates had already closed on 75,120 spectators. Derby won the tie 1-0.

And the outcome of this week's match? I think Spurs are capable of snatching a win but I'll be equally happy with a draw. Our record in away games against Derby is disappointing. We have only won 5 games at Derby out of 30 matches.

"COME ON YOU SPURS!"

Cheers, Brian

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