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This preview was written by Brian Judson

Full Record of Spurs -v- Middlesbrough

Premier       Pl   W   D   L  For-Ag  Pts
Home           5   1   2   2    6-9    5
Away           5   2   1   2    5-5    7
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Total (Prem)  10   3   3   4   11-14  12
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Football Lge
Home (Div 1)  25  15   4   6   62-40  36
Away (Div 1)  25   3   6  16   25-52  13
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Total (Div 1) 50  18  10  22   87-92  49
========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2)   1   0   0   1    2-5    0
Away (Div 2)   1   0   0   1    0-3    0
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Total (Div 2)  2   0   0   2    2-8    0
========================================
Total (Prem)  10   3   3   4   11-14  12
Total (Div 1) 50  18  10  22   87-92  49
Total (Div 2)  2   0   0   2    2-8    0
========================================
Grand Total   62  21  13  28  100-114 61
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Our first away trip of the season sees us making the long trip north to Middlesbrough. Over the course of the last few years, the North-East side have been a yo-yo team between the Premier League and the Football League. However, it looks as if Bryan Robson's side has somehow managed to find the secret of being able to retain a place within the elité.

Last season, Middlesbrough finished 12th in the Premier League. Manager Robson has spent heavily during the close season, bringing in Job (from RC Lens), Boksic (from Lazio), Whelan (from Coventry), Karembeu (from Real Madrid), Crossley (from Nottingham Forest), and Okon (from Fiorentina). The only really notable departure has been that of Paul Gascoigne, who was heavily criticised by the Middlesbrough fans last season for being obviously unfit and overweight, presumably because of his penchant for eating Mars Bars and quaffing alcohol. It is also thought likely that Ziege will also leave Middlesbrough for Liverpool in the near future.

Middlesbrough made a good start to the season by winning 3-1 at Coventry City on Saturday. But Coventry were never going to provide their visitors with any real opposition, having sold players or been forced to allow others to depart under the Bosman ruling. They will miss the services of such players as Robbie Keane and Gary McAlister, to name but two of the departures.

When we played Middlesbrough last season, we lost 2-1 at the BT Cellnet Stadium. Ramon Vega gave us an early lead but goals from Ziege and Deane enabled the Teesiders to win. Allan Nielsen, now at Watford, was dismissed after a second yellow card.

At Tottenham, we crashed 3-2 after we had taken an early lead through Chris Armstrong. Steve Carr conceded an own goal and two goals by Ricard gave Middlesbrough a 3-1 lead. A goal by Ginola came far too late to save Tottenham.

The season before, we were well beaten by Middlesbrough, 3-0, at Tottenham. Ricard scored twice and Kinder once. That occurred just after Christian Gross was sacked by the Board and Chris Hughton was placed in charge of team affairs pending a new managerial appointment. The return game saw us draw 0-0.

Tottenham got off to a good start on Saturday against Ipswich Town. If they can win their first away game of the season, it may provide them with the confidence to travel to Newcastle on Saturday. No Spurs fan will want to be reminded about what happened on the occasion of our last visit to St James' Park! From what I have read in the media, the team looks better balanced for the departure of Ginola. Certainly Ginola could win matches on his own when he was in the mood but all too often last season he was a very frustrating enigma, easily deflected from the task of winning games by crafty opponents.

There could have been possibly easier games for us to start our travels on but we should be capable of beating Middlesbrough. I take us to do so by at least 2-1.

Cheers, Brian

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