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Hare is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Leicester City
Premier Pl W D L For- Ag Pts
Home 7 3 1 3 10 - 9 10
Away 6 1 1 4 6 -13 4
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Total(Prem) 13 4 2 7 16 -22 14
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 29 13 6 10 64 -46 34
Away(Div 1) 29 16 4 9 53 -54 40
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Total(Div 1) 58 29 10 19 117 -100 74
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Football Lge
Home(Div 2) 7 3 3 1 12 - 7 9
Away(Div 2) 7 4 1 2 14 -13 9
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Total(Div 2) 14 7 4 3 26 -20 18
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Total(Prem) 13 4 2 7 16 -22 14
Total(Div 1) 58 29 10 19 117 -100 74
Total(Div 2) 14 7 4 3 26 -20 18
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Grand Total 85 40 16 29 159 -142 104
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And so to the conclusion of another footie season! Leicester City have, of
course, already been relegated to the Football League so we should be able
to witness the debut of Jamie Redknapp this week. (Ed's note:- I do not think that dispensation has been or will be given for Redknapp to play) There will be those who
will take some feeling of satisfaction of seeing Ian Walker between the
posts of a relegated team. I never rated Walker but appreciate that
succeeding Erik Thorstvedt must have been difficult for him as Erik The
Viking was a very popular goalkeeper once people accepted that Erik was
not out of the same mould as his predecessor, Ray Clemence.
Tottenham have been blessed by a number of good goalkeepers since the
advent of Ted Ditchburn. Before Ditchburn, Tottenham had never had a
really superb goalkeeper. But since then we have seen Bill Brown, Pat
Jennings, Ray Clemence and Erik Thorstvedt. There are others who were
courageous, such as Milija Aleksic, who suffered some horrible injuries
(anyone remember a certain Mr Hoddle playing in goal?) and there have been
some awful goalkeepers (make your own nomination but I am sure Barry
Daines or Mark Kendall will figure high in the list!).
Leicester were a very good side in the 1960s and were unlucky to be around
at the same time as some other good sides. They have never won the
Championship and have frequently shuttled between the top two Divisions,
accompanying Tottenham in their downward plunge in season 1934-35. There
was also the famous occasion when Leicester City were the final obstacle
to Tottenham completing the first League and Cup double of modern times in
season 1960-61. Those of us who saw that Final will remember that Spurs
were not at their best and were fortunate that it was Leicester's len
Chalmers who was stricken by injury on Wembley's lush turf rather than
Tottenham.
This will be the last match to be played at Filbert Street before
Leicester move to their new ground. It is a sad co-incidence this is
happening as they are about to be relegated to the Football League,
particularly in view of the fact that football has been hit by the demise
of ITV Digital, which means that the balmy salad days of improbable
salaries are now coming to an end. I am sure Leicester will be back in the
Premiership but whether it is a swift return or a long one depends on how
Micky Adams reacts to the challenge.
Leicester began the season with Peter Taylor as their manager in
succession to Martin O'Neill. Leicester had been fortified by the squad
O'Neill had constructed but he began to process of derailing that success
by whisking away some of the components of that squad to Celtic. The
momentum took a while to slow down but it was obvious during last season's
run-in that Leicester had run out of steam. They made an awful start to
the season with Walker unhappy about being cover for the ageing Flowers
but Walker eventually replaced Flowers when the latter player was injured.
Walker, along with some of the squad, has declared he wishes to remain
with the club despite its relegation. Obviously, he is mindful of the fact
there will be fewer vacancies for a goalkeeper next season and that the
only way out for him is further down the pyramid.
Despite Spurs well-known problems, they have improved slightly over their
performance under their previous manager, who is now a TV pundit for Sky
and once again free to eulogise about the other team in North London. None
of us want to be reminded of the history they look set to create (as I
write these lines before a certain fixture in Manchester tonight). But I
feel sure that we will see further progress next season.
And the outcome of the final match? Spurs to record another away win,
surely? I am not so sanguine about that. In the final match of our last
relegation season, we beat Leicester City 2-0 at Tottenham, a result that
heralded problems for Leicester the following season. I think we will do
well to achieve a 1-1 draw as Leicester will be keen to sign off on a
cheerful note for their supporters.
I hope everyone has a lovely summer. If your country is going to the World
Cup Finals, I hope you do well (except if you play England!). Hopefully,
I'll be back in August with some more previews.
Cheers, Brian
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