Here is Brian Judson's preview:-
Full Record of Spurs -v- West Ham United
Premier Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 8 4 1 3 8- 8 13
Away 9 3 2 4 12- 12 11
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Total (Premier) 17 7 3 7 20- 20 24
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Football League
Home (Division 1) 33 17 7 9 65- 51 47
Away (Division 1) 33 9 9 15 45- 54 29
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Total (Division 1) 66 26 16 24 110-105 76
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Football League
Home (Division 2) 10 4 4 2 18- 13 12
Away (Division 2) 10 3 3 4 13- 12 9
======================= ======================
Total (Division 2) 20 7 7 6 31- 25 21
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Total (Premier) 17 7 3 7 20- 20 24
Total (Division 1) 66 26 16 24 110-105 76
Total (Division 2) 20 7 7 6 31- 25 21
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Grand Total 103 40 26 37 161-150 121
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This match will be the 104th League clash between the two clubs since
Spurs first met them for Football League points in season 1919-20. The
Hammers, as they are popularly known were originally founded in 1895 as
Thames Ironworks but reformed under their present name in 1900, having
joined the Southern League at the start of season 1899-1900. Spurs first
met West Ham United in the Southern League during 1900-01. Their record
is:
Southern League
Home (Div 1) 8 4 2 2 11- 8 10
Away (Div 1) 8 4 2 2 11- 7 10
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Total(Div 1) 16 8 4 4 22- 15 20
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West Ham United have surprised many this season by climbing to the top
half of the table after a very poor start to the season. They were written
off as relegation fodder when Glenn Roeder was appointed manager in
succession to former Hammers favourite Harry Redknapp, in June 2001. But
since Christmas, the Hammers have strung together a sequence of results
that have carried them up the table.
Over the years, West Ham have been synonymous with good quality football,
positive with flair and panache, eschewing defensive characteristics such
as the synchronised gallop to the half-way line with one arm in the air,
such as Graham's Arsenal back four did so for so long. Players such as
Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, John Sissons, Trevor Brooking, and Johnny
Byrne were just some of those who preferred to let the football do the
talking. They had winners in Billy Bonds, John Bond, Ray Stewart and
others of that ilk with bone crushing tackles. They certainly never had a
soft centre!
Of all their matches, I think their 1980 Cup Final victory was the one
that pleased most Spurs fans! Trevor Brooking never headed a more
important goal than the one he headed that day!!!!! And for those who do
not know who the opposition were, let me simply say Pat Jennings was very
disappointed to be on the losing side!!!!!!
When West Ham have played well, there are few finer sights than to see the
Hammers turning on the style. But when they have played badly, usually in
a relegation season, they have been awful. Their secret has been their
stability. Glenn Roeder is only the ninth manager they have had since West
Ham were founded as Thames Ironworks in 1895. This compares with some
clubs who have a different manager every season!
Up until 1958 when they won the championship of the old Second Division,
West Ham had spent most of their time in that Division, apart from a brief
period from 1923 to 1932 when they played in the old First Division. Their
place in history is assured as they were one of the two Cup Finalists in
Wembley's first Cup Final in April 1923.
Their best days were probably in the 1960s when they could boast three of
the England World Cup Winners played for them. Martin Peters commented
soon after moving to Spurs that he was tired of hearing himself referred
to as the third member of that trio after Moore and Hurst. Peters and
Hurst, in fact, became members of the World Cup team at a very late stage
in Alf Ramsey's planning.
Of all the matches I have seen involving Spurs and West Ham, I think it is
the one they played in November 1966 that I remember the most and NOT
because Spurs won! Spurs lost that day, 4-3, their third home defeat on
the trot. Greaves missed a penalty which is why it sticks out in my memory
as Jimmy wasn't even on target, skying the ball high over the bar! That
was a vital miss because Spurs finished third in the table behind
Manchester United and Nottingham Forest that season, following a
magnificent unbeaten run of 24 games after losing to Manchester United in
January 1967.
And how do I see Saturday's match? It all depends on which teams turn up
at White Hart Lane! Spurs have only one recognised striker who is fit.
Armstrong is back in training but has yet to complete a reserve team
run-out. Ferdinand is out for the rest of the season and Sheringham rarely
plays up front these days. So I suppose it is a question of whether our
midfield players will take control of the midfield .... Hopefully, we will
win but we MUST curb the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick to succeed
in that aim.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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