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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full League Record of Spurs v Charlton:-
Premier Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 2 0 2 0 2 - 2 2
Away 3 1 0 2 5 - 5 3
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Total (Premier) 5 1 2 2 7 - 7 5
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Football Lge Div 1
Home 11 6 1 4 22 -15 15
Away 11 6 4 1 20 -11 18
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Total (Division 1) 22 12 5 5 42 -26 33
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Football Lge Div 2
Home 6 5 1 0 20 - 5 11
Away 6 1 0 5 5 - 9 2
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Total (Division 2) 12 6 1 5 25 -14 13
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Total (Premier) 5 1 2 2 7 - 7 5
Total (Division 1) 22 12 5 5 42 -26 33
Total (Division 2) 12 6 1 5 25 -14 13
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Grand Total 39 19 8 12 74 -47 51
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Monday night's match will be of interest if only to see whether Tottenham
can improve on their recent form. Tottenham's hopes of attaining European
football next season are realistically NIL as they will have to win the
majority of their remaining games AND hope for a corresponding collapse of
form on the part of those teams immediately above them. Both of these
aspirations are unlikely to happen.
Tottenham's confidence has never been particularly strong in recent years.
The days when we could arrogantly emerge from the dressing rooms in the
belief that we only had to score once to secure the points have long
disappeared. Others have pointed to the lack of depth in the squad whilst
some have also pointed to the number of players who are coming to the end
of their career. It seems to me there is a clear parallel with the Spurs
team of the late 1920s and early 1930s. The Board of those days made it
clear to their various managers that there could be no big spending so
players purchased in those days tended to be those coming towards the end
of their career or players discarded by other clubs. Spurs paid the price
for that by being relegated twice in eight years. After the second
occasion, Spurs had to wait 15 years before they returned to the top
flight.
At the time we were relegated on the second occasion, Charlton were in the
process of being promoted to the top flight for the first time. They had
been elected to Division 3 (South) in the summer of 1921 and had been 21st
in the table in season 1925-26. Charlton won promotion to the Second
Division in season 1928-29 but were relegated at the end of season 1932-33
(as we gained promotion to the First Division). Charlton regained
promotion to the Second Division as we were relegated to the Second
Division at the end of season 1934-35. Both clubs figured in the fight for
promotion during 1935-36 but it was Charlton who accompanied Manchester
United in promotion to the top flight at the end of season 1935-36. A
dreadful lapse of form around the turn of the year foiled Tottenham's
hopes. In 1937-38, Charlton were runners-up to Manchester City in the
First Division, which is the highest position Charlton have ever attained.
After World War 2, Charlton appeared in successive Cup Finals, being
runners-up in 1946 and winning it in 1947. An oddity of those two Cup
Finals was that the ball burst in both of them. Charlton were eventually
relegated from the top flight at the end of season 1956-57. They had
earlier sacked Jimmy Seed, who had been their manager from the 1930s. Seed
was, of course, a former Spurs player.
Charlton have known many ups and downs over the years and spent a nomadic
existence for several seasons, sharing grounds with Crystal Palace and
West Ham United, when they decided the Valley was too expensive to
maintain but they have since returned to their spiritual home, albeit in a
reduced size. The fact that Charlton have managed to reclaim their
position in the top flight shows what can be achieved on a limited budget.
I doubt if Charlton will ever win any major honours but it is a terrific
achievement to play in the Premiership.
Monday night may well determine the future of several of our expensive
players. The supporters will not tolerate another collapse. Indeed, if
Spurs continue to drop points they will be staring into the abyss of
relegation if they are not careful, as the situation at the foot of the
table is very tight this season.
Let us hope SOMEONE, it doesn't matter who it is, manages to score a goal
at the right end of the pitch for Tottenham. It might just restore some
confidence to our brittle superstars!
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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