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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game

We have previously played West Ham United in both of the domestic Cup competitions. The results are as follows:-

FA Cup         Venue Result  Scorers

1919-20   R3     H    3-0    Wilson 2, 
			     Grimsdell
1925-26   R3     H    5-0    Dimmock 3, 
			     Osborne 2
1926-27   R3     A    2-3    Handley, 
			     Dimmock
1933-34   R4     H    4-1    W Evans 2 
			     Hunt 2
1938-39   R4     A    3-3    Morrison, 
			     Sargent,
			     Duncan
          R4/R   H    1-1    Sargent
		    (a.e.t.)
          R4/2R  *    1-2    Morrison
1955-56   R6     H    3-3    Duquemin, 
			     Robb,
 			     Harmer (p)
          R6/R   A    2-1    Harmer, 
			     Duquemin
1958-59   R3     H    2-0    Smith, 
			     Jones

FL Cup

1966-67   R2     A    0-1
1975-76   R4     H    0-0
          R4/R   A    2-0    Duncan, 
		    (a.e.t.) Young
1980-81   R5     A    0-1
1986-87   R5     A    1-1    C Allen
          R5/R   H    5-0    C Allen 3 (1p) 
			     Claesen
                             Hoddle

Spurs chances of beating West Ham United have been boosted by the likelihood of Stuart Pearce missing the match. He injured his ankle early on in the West Ham United -v- Chelsea League match on Wednesday night and had to be substituted. West Ham have a terrible injury list at the moment and they appear to be indicating that neither Joe Cole nor Michael Carrick will be fit on Sunday, although that may be part of the psychological warfare that precedes an important match.

Spurs' first Cup-tie against West Ham occurred during West Ham's first season in the Football League. They had been elected to the League as part of the expansion that had led to Spurs' enforced relegation to Division 2. Cantrell was injured and did not play so Charlie Wilson filled the breach and scored two of the three goals that saw us through to a tie against Aston Villa.

The next time we played West Ham was during the first season in which the present offside rule came into operation. It had changed the fundamental nature of the game and had given rise to the way what we now call a centre back had to play. By that time, of course, West Ham were also in the First Division, having won promotion a couple of seasons earlier. Spurs played some pretty good football that day as Jimmy Dimmock scored a hat-trick and Frank Osborne grabbed two goals. We were drawn against Manchester United in the next round.

The following season, we were drawn against West Ham again. They finished higher in the League than Tottenham that season. Indeed it was to be their highest placing until 1985-86 when they finished 3rd. 'Tich' Handley, as he was always known, and Jimmy Dimmock scored our goals in the 3-2 defeat.

We did not play West Ham in the Cup again until 1933-34. This was the season we finished 3rd in Division 1 after securing promotion at the end of the preceding season. By then West Ham were back in the Second Division, where they were destined to remain until the end of season 1957-58. Spurs won the match 4-1 with goals by George Hunt (2) and Willie Evans (2) securing us another home tie with Aston Villa.

Our last pre-war tie with West Ham was in January 1939. WW2 was looming as the two teams began the last FA Cup competition for seven years. Spurs had beaten Watford 7-1 in the Third Round and had been drawn to play West Ham at Upton Park. Fred Sargent, Johnny Morrison and Andy Duncan were the scorers that secured a replay. It was Fred Sargent who scored the crucial goal that took the tie to a third match as extra time did not separate the two sides. The second replay took place at Highbury which West Ham won 2-1. Johnny Morrison scored the Spurs goal.

Although this is not relevant to this cup-tie, readers might like to know that sometimes barracking can provoke players. Spurs were playing Crystal Palace on August 29th 1942 during a wartime League match. The crowd began to barrack Duncan until he walked off the pitch and never wore the Tottenham shirt again.

Spurs did not play West Ham again until season 1955-56, which saw Spurs come critically close to being relegated that season. We had beaten Boston United (4-0) [they had previously beaten Derby County 6-1 at the Baseball Ground!], Middlesbrough (3-1) and Doncaster Rovers (2-0). Len Duquemin, George Robb and Tommy Harmer, from the penalty spot, were the scorers. And thereby hangs a tale. Spurs had not replaced 'Sonny' Walters to their satisfaction so Spurs experimented with Harmer wide on the right. He had been a success so had played there for the West Ham game. In the replay, Spurs won 2-1, thanks to goals by Harmer and Duquemin. Harmer was dropped for the Semi-Final at Villa Park as he was thought too frail to cope with the mud or the Manchester City players. Spurs played Dunmore, a centre-forward, in his place but the move was not a success and Spurs duly lost.

The last occasion we played West Ham in the FA Cup was in the 1958-59 season. West Ham were back in the top flight and doing well whereas we were fighting relegation. Bobby Smith and Cliff Jones scored the goals that saw us through to a home tie against Newport County.

Although we have not played West Ham in the FA Cup since then, we have played them in the Football League Cup under its various sponsors. I remember going to Upton Park for our very first tie against West Ham. The match was refereed by Harry New, a very officious referee. The way the match was handled by the match officials was very poor. Not surprisingly, Gilzean swore at a linesman when he flagged in favour of a West Ham throw-in when it should have been Tottenham's. Gilzean was dismissed and Spurs lost the match.

The only other tie I can remember seeing was our defeat at Upton Park in 1980-81. We were unlucky that night as I remember we hit the woodwork several times.

Looking ahead to Sunday, it should be a tight match even though West Ham appear to have a number of injury problems. I suspect that whoever scores first will go on to win the match. I expect the goal to come rather late in the game so it will be a case of our having to be patient. If the breaks go our way, I think we will win 1-0. It won't surprise me if Doherty or Campbell score the winner as I expect the goal to come from a dead ball situation rather than from open play.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Cheers, Brian

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