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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game:-
Read my preview pack here
Full Record of Spurs -v- Middlesbrough
Prem Pl W D L For- Ag Pts
Home 8 2 3 3 8 - 13 9
Away 7 2 3 2 7 - 7 9
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Total(Prem) 15 4 6 5 15 - 20 18
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Football Lge
Home(Div 1) 25 15 4 6 62 - 40 36
Away(Div 1) 25 3 6 16 25 - 52 13
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Total(Div 1) 50 18 10 22 87 - 92 49
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Football Lge
Home(Div 2) 1 0 0 1 2 - 5 0
Away(Div 2) 1 0 0 1 0 - 3 0
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Total(Div 2) 2 0 0 2 2 - 8 0
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Total(Prem) 15 4 6 5 15 - 20 18
Total(Div 1) 50 18 10 22 87 - 92 49
Total(Div 2) 2 0 0 2 2 - 8 0
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Grand Total 67 22 16 29 104 -120 67
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This is the return fixture of our worst home defeat of the whole season.
At the time, Middlesbrough and Tottenham were still flying high in the
Premiership table. This was the first sign that Tottenham were not going
to qualify for Europe next season. Up until then, we had believed the
Emperor was wearing new clothes : Hoddle had a regular mantra in which he
said we would qualify to play for Europe this season. We were outclassed
by Steve McClaren's re-vitalised Middlesbrough, who fully deserved their
first away win of the season, leaping above us to third place in the
table, as a result.
Since then, of course, both clubs have dramatically fallen off the pace.
Indeed, Hoddle now has a poorer average ration of matches won to matches
played than his predecessors, the man in the overcoat, the man with the
tube ticket and the man who stared at his trainers. We have forgotten how
to breathe the rarified air of the summit of the Premiership.
Tottenham's troubles can be indicated briefly.We do not have a goalscorer
if Robbie Keane is missing from the team. We have a very elderly team that
has expensive imports running on empty. We have some of the worst
defenders the club has ever had with the exception of Kasey Keller. Carr
has clearly not been his old self this past season. Has he been going
through the motions? We shall see. But I for one would want Carr to go if
he does NOT want to play for Tottenham!
Middlesbrough's problems are an inability to win away from home unless you
have a club (like Tottenham!) prepared to donate the points! They have the
best two defenders not being capped by England in the shape of Ehiogu and
Southgate but otherwise have an indifferent defence, in particular
Schwarzer. He can make brilliant saves but concede hilarious goals. With
Bostik retiring, a lot depends on the midfield in the shape of Geremi to
carve out goals. Since moving from Bolton, Ricketts seems to have dried up
but they do seem to have someone capable of scoring goals in Christie,
whom they signed from Derby County.
Once, at the end of season 1927-28, Spurs and Middlesbrough were
companions in distress, suffering relegation. Before Easter, Spurs were
high in the table with 35 points from 35 matches. Spurs won only one match
(2-0 at home to the other lot up in Islington) but only acquired one other
point. Spurs finished the season early and went off to tour Holland,
returning home to find that Derby County had finished 4th with 44 points,
Sheffield Wednesday, who had been rock bottom in March 1928, had finished
14th, six clubs were all sharing 39 points and Spurs were being relegated
with 38 points. Under the old system of 2 points for a win, this was the
highest number of points ever amassed by a relegated team.
Tottenham go to Middlesbrough seemingly incapable of winning away. But, as
last year, Middlesbrough are ending THEIR season, losing their last four
matches. THAT is primarily why Spurs are still in the top half of the
table. For the hardy souls who will make the long trip to the Riverside
tomorrow, I think they will witness a rare event : a Spurs victory,
probably because Robbie Keane prefers to scamper around rather than any
shock or awe that Tottenham cause!
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Brian
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