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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
The following is our record against Fulham in the FA and Football League
Cups. The details are:
FA Cup Round Venue Result
1908-09 2 H 1-0
1983-84 3 A 0-0
3R H 2-0
1997-98 3 H 3-1
FL Cup
1981-82 4 H 1-0
1999-2000 4 A 1-3
As readers will see we have only lost to Fulham in a Cup tie once. I will
leave it to Declan to provide further and better particulars of that
defeat.
Most of us will be able to recall the FA Cup match we played at Craven
Cottage in January 1984 as Ray Clemence was injured and was replaced by
Graham Roberts in goal. Roberts defied everything that Fulham threw at him
and played a major part in securing a replay. Then, in midweek, Roberts
scored a goal to break the hearts of the Fulham side and Archibald ensured
Tottenham went through to play Norwich.
The only other FA Cup match we have played against Fulham in recent
seasons saw us beat them 3-1 in January 1998. Clemence and Calderwood
scored a goal apiece and Taylor scored an own goal.
Over the years, Tottenham have had a fairly good relationship with Fulham.
One dispute that we had with them led to Fulham reporting us to the London
FA in the affair that became known as Payne's boots, as it contributed to
the decision that made Tottenham become a professional side in an era when
the South frowned on professional football.
Fulham have spent most of their professional career in the lower regions
of the Football League. Their first experience of top flight football was
brief as they only enjoyed life there from August 1949 to April 1952.
Their second stint was from August 1959 until May 1968, which was the last
time they experienced top flight football.
Ironically, it was Fulham who paved the way for the modern football's
exorbitant salaries as they were quick to pay Johnny Haynes £100 a week to
play for Fulham at a time when both Spurs and Arsenal were known to be
interested in signing him. But Fulham could not attract large crowds to
Craven Cottage and eventually their best players, such as Alan Mullery,
left for bigger clubs. Fulham spent years fighting to avoid the drop but
managed to beat it until they finally went down at the end of season
1967-68. In this brief period, they discovered the exuberant Rodney Marsh.
He scored the winning goal against Liverpool in one match but collided
with the goalpost in doing so and, as a result, has been deaf in one ear
ever since.
Until Mohammed Al Fayed purchased Fulham, the club was going nowhere
rapidly. In fact, it looked certain that Fulham would lose their Football
League status. But they persuaded Kevin Keegan to come out of retirement
and be their manager. It was Keegan who began the ball rolling that led to
Fulham's return to top flight football.
From what I have seen of Fulham, I think they now have the ability to
break through the crust that separates those with serious title ambitions
from those who make the numbers up. Al Fayed has bankrolled the three
managers he has appointed and Fulham have prospered. It will be some time
yet but I am confident that it won't be very long before Chelsea are no
longer the dominant force in South West London.
Spurs, though, from what I have seen of them so far, are still far from
the finished article themselves. They are emerging from the long dark
nights of route one football and have started to play what we know is
traditional Tottenham football. The age of the squad, though, means that
we will continue to be in a transitional status until we have a younger
pair of strikers. This is not to say that Ferdinand and Sheringham are not
doing the business but they are not getting any younger.
But I remain confident that Spurs will beat Fulham tomorrow night but we
shall have to remain patient. I think both goals will be late in coming.
We should not be impatient but continue to keep behind the lads until they
score, as I am confident they will do so. It is a pity that Gus Poyet will
be missing, though.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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