|
Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Premier Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 3 2 1 0 6 - 4 7
Away 2 1 1 0 4 - 3 4
======================================
Total(Prem) 5 3 2 0 10 - 7 11
======================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 1) 29 17 5 7 57 - 31 39
Away (Div 1) 29 9 3 17 38 - 52 21
======================================
Total(Div 1) 58 26 8 24 95 - 83 60
======================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2) 2 2 0 0 3 - 1 4
Away (Div 2) 2 1 0 1 1 - 1 2
======================================
Total(Div 2) 4 3 0 1 4 - 2 6
======================================
Total(Prem) 5 3 2 0 10 - 7 11
Total(Div 1) 58 26 8 24 95 - 83 60
Total(Div 2) 4 3 0 1 4 - 2 6
======================================
Grand Total 67 32 10 25 109 - 92 77
======================================
After making a brilliant start to the season, Bolton have tumbled down the
League and looked favourites to be relegated earlier this season. But some
astute short-term transfer dealings have increased the chances of Bolton
surviving the big drop. Personally, I hope Bolton survive as I like their
way of playing football. They do not set out to defend their goal by
practicing synchronised offside like our neighbours seem to prefer playing
sometimes. They have some talented players coming through such as Michael
Ricketts.
Bolton were once a powerful team whom no one relished playing. Those of
you who never saw 'Nat' Lofthouse play will have no idea just how much
battering a goalkeeper used to receive when charging the goalkeeper was
permitted. Lofthouse scored twice against Manchester United in the 1958 FA
Cup Final, which was played in the wake of the Munich Air Disaster. Harry
Gregg, who was one of the survivors of that disaster, had a torrid time
that afternoon. Certainly, Lofthouse's second goal would be promptly
disallowed today and he would undoubtedly receive a booking for his
shoulder charge on the unfortunate Gregg.
At one time, Bolton were one of the FA Cup kings. There have won the Cup
on four occasions, 1958 being the last such occasion, and runners-up on
three other occasions, including the famous 1953 Stanley Matthews Cup
Final.
It is my view that the coming of the motorways led to the downfall of the
smaller clubs like Burnley, Bolton and Blackpool. It enabled supporters to
travel further afield and many in Lancashire chose to travel to Old
Trafford for their Saturday afternoon entertainment. All three Lancashire
clubs have spent time in the lower Divisions of the Football League -
indeed Blackpool have been marooned down there for much of the time since
1981.
It has often been the case that a former player often makes a good manager
with his old club. Sam Allardyce certainly seems to have done so at
Bolton. He was appointed manager in October 1999 after Colin Todd left.
Allardyce played as centre-half for Bolton for many years although I have
no recollection of seeing him play when they have played at Tottenham.
They certainly seem set to survive for a second consecutive season in the
Premier League unlike their previous appearances in 1995-96 and 1997-98,
when they were relegated.
Although I almost certainly saw Bolton play at Tottenham before April
1963, I do remember that game very clearly as we beat them 4-1. Marchi
replaced Mackay, who was struggling with an injury (he was to miss the
European Cup Winners' Cup Final) and scored one of the goals. The other
goals were scored by Greaves, inevitably, White and Bobby Smith.
In those days, Bolton had a very small goalkeeper called Eddie Hopkinson.
He was lithe and agile and played for England on 14 occasions between 1958
and 1960. In all, Hopkinson made 519 appearances for Bolton between 1956
and 1970.
Another game that sticks out in my mind is the Second Division game
between the two clubs in season 1977-78. Tottenham were, if I recall
correctly, top with Bolton second on the day we clashed at White Hart
Lane. We beat them 1-0 thanks to a goal by Don McAllister. Our nerves were
starting to show that afternoon and I am sure I was not the only spectator
to chew my nails away.
It will be interesting to see how Bolton cope with the Premiership next
season. The second season is always much more harder as clubs are more
familiar with the set-pieces at dead ball situations, which is where most
goals come from. It will be a shame if Bolton are quickly relegated again
as their football is, as I say, quite attractive.
Whether Spurs can be bothered to work up much enthusiasm for the match
remains to be seen. Hoddle may well say there is a lot to play for but the
more realistic of us know that only a miracle and some pretty unexpected
results will win us a place in Europe. I think that is just as well as I
don't think we are quite ready for Europe just yet. The younger members in
the first team squad really need another season of fine tuning whilst the
questions raised about the older members of the squad have to be
addressed.
In the circumstances, whilst I feel that Spurs ought to win the match, I
shall not be surprised if we lose another game. Spurs have a
long-term habit of losing to teams in the bottom half of the table, as we
all know. Bolton have much more to play for than Tottenham, who have only
their pride to play for.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
· Current form - look out for Youri Djorkaeff!
Top of page | Back to Fixtures and Results
| 
