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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Blackburn Rovers
Prem Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 8 4 1 3 11- 10 13
Away 8 3 1 4 10- 8 10
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Total(Prem) 16 7 2 7 21- 18 23
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 24 16 4 4 63- 30 36
Away(Div 1) 24 5 5 14 23- 50 15
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Total(Div 1)48 21 9 18 86- 80 51
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Football Lge
Home(Div 2) 6 5 0 1 22- 8 10
Away(Div 2) 6 2 2 2 9- 7 6
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Total(Div 2)12 7 2 3 31- 15 16
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Total(Prem) 16 7 2 7 21- 18 23
Total(Div 1)48 21 9 18 86- 80 51
Total(Div 2)12 7 2 3 31- 15 16
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Grand Total 76 35 13 28 138-113 90
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Tottenham travel to Ewood Park on Sunday, hoping to cash in on the fact
that Blackburn will be recovering from an arduous UEFA Cup tie, away to
CKSA Sofia, on Thursday night. Blackburn won the tie on away goals, due to
the fact Thursday night's match was drawn 3-3 whilst the first leg was
drawn 1-1. Blackburn appeared to have the tie comfortably under control
after an hour, winning 3-0 on the night but they almost threw success away
by allowing CKSA Sofia to fight back to 3-3.
Ironically, it could have been Spurs returning from a torrid away tie as,
of course, it was Blackburn Rovers who beat us in last season's Football
League Cup Final. Spurs were very disappointing that day and never played
as well as they had in thrashing Chelsea 5-1 in the Second Leg of the
Football League Cup Semi-Final. I think it was a blessing in disguise
because I didn't think we were ready for European football at this stage
of our evolution.
Over the years, Spurs and Blackburn have often clashed. Our history goes
back a very long way as we have been playing Blackburn on and off since
season 1909-10 for League points. Blackburn were (with Aston Villa) the
last of the original members of the Football League to suffer relegation
at the end of season 1935-36. (Sunderland, who were elected in 1890, were
not original members. The longest record of current top flight membership
is held by a team who have absolutely NO right to be there, having bribed
their way there.)
One of the best players Spurs ever signed in their long history came from
Blackburn Rovers. Mike England was a colossus of a Welshman, who bestrode
the route to Tottenham's goal from August 1966 to February 1975, walking
out on Tottenham because of a dispute with the manager of the time, who
later returned home to his more natural abode. England chose Tottenham in
preference to Manchester United, preferring to come south to Tottenham.
Those who saw England play will know just how good the big man was. He
could play up front and often did in an emergency, particularly when Peter
Collins was available to play. But it was in defence that he served
Tottenham. Like all great players, Tottenham have never really found a
suitable successor for him, although there are those who believe Gardner
could become the closest we have come so far.
Most of Blackburn's triumphs occurred before WW1. In recent years,
Blackburn have plunged down to the lower ranks of the Football League and
climbed back to top flight under Kenny Dalglish in time for the
inauguration of the Premiership. It was the management duo of Kenny
Dalglish and Ray Harford that gave Blackburn their first title since
pre-WW1 days. But they flopped and eventually Dalglish left Blackburn.
They eventually slipped to the Football League but since appointing former
Spurs and Liverpool player Graeme Souness, Blackburn have regained their
place in the top flight.
Souness was probably one of the most complete players of his time. Like
Dave Mackay, Souness had an indomitable will to win and helped Liverpool
to many of their successes. In recent years, health has been a
consideration for Souness as he has had his moments on the operating table
but he still refuses to make any concessions.
With Tottenham showing in and out form recently, it is difficult to
predict the outcome of this match. Their confidence will have been boosted
by the fact they came through a potential banana skin in the form of
beating Cardiff City 1-0 on Tuesday night but they need to apply more
consistency to their play. On the other hand, Blackburn's confidence will
also be high because they have qualified for the next round of the URFA
Cup, albeit on the away goals rule. Much will depend on how Spurs react to
the early play when Blackburn should be quicker to settle. If Spurs fall
behind to an early goal, I expect them to lose but the longer the game
goes on, then I would hope Spurs can survive to take a point at least and,
maybe, nick all three.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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