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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Middlesbrough
Prem Pl W D L For- Ag Pts
Home 7 2 3 2 8 - 10 9
Away 7 2 3 2 7 - 7 9
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Total(Prem) 14 4 6 4 15 - 17 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) 14 4 6 4 15 - 17 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 66 22 16 28 104 -117 67
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If Tottenham are serious in wanting to qualify for another attempt on
winning a chance to play in Europe next season, this week's match provides
the sort of opportunity for them to prove conclusively that things are
indeed looking up. Middlesbrough have no serious claims to fame as their
only major honours board listing is winning the FA Amateur Cup on two
occasions at the tail end of the Victorian era. However, in recent
seasons, Middlesbrough have thrice battled their way to Wembley, only to
fall at the final hurdle.
Middlesbrough's best days in the top flight were around the start of the
1950s when they had a side that chased Tottenham home to the League
Championship in 1950-51 but could not sustain their challenge. They were
unlucky enough to be relegated from the top flight on a number of
occasions, once being accompanied by Tottenham in that most freakish of
seasons, 1927-28. Usually 38 points, under the two points for a win
system, was enough to guarantee safety but neither Spurs nor
Middlesbrough, who had 37, were safe. Yet Derby County, who finished 4th,
only accumulated 44 points.
Like many clubs, Middlesbrough have had their financial problems and were
forced to reform in 1986. At one point, they were locked out of their
ground and manager Bruce Rioch was forced to perform training sessions in
a local park.
Middlesbrough are probably best known as the club Brian Clough began his
career with. Most of his football was played in Division 2. I never saw
Clough Senior play as far as I can remember. By the time Sunderland
returned to the First Division at the end of season 1962-63, I think he
had already sustained the injury that ended his career. although he did
not call it a day until the summer of 1964.
Over the years, Spurs have usually beaten Middlesbrough at White Hart
Lane. The worst defeat I can recall us sustaining was the League Cup tie
on the day we finally became aware that Bill Nicholson had tendered his
resignation following our awful start to season 1974-75. We were dreadful
that night, totally dispirited and lacking in fight. That was
Middlesbrough's first season back in the top flight after a long absence.
Another home defeat that sticks out in my mind was the one we sustained on
the opening day of season 1979-80. Hoddle scored the only Spurs goal in
our 3-1 defeat. The Spurs side that day was Daines; Lee, Gordon Smith,
Yorath, Lacy, Perryman, Pratt (sub Chris Jones), Ardiles, Falco, Hoddle
and Villa. Look how many of those had vanished within two years when
Ossie's knees had gone all trembly!!! Colin Lee is, of course, manager of
Walsall these days but, Hoddle apart, I don't think anyone else is
employed in a footballing capacity in the UK. And, yes, I haven't
forgotten Ossie has gone home to be a manager!
It is instructive to note the side that played Middlesbrough in October
1980, just 14 months later. It was: Daines; Gordon Smith, Hughton, Yorath,
Lacy, Perryman, Ardiles (sub Taylor), Archibald. Villa, Hoddle and Crooks.
And it was Archibald, Villa and Crooks who scored in the 3-2 victory. The
side that won the Cup still hasn't achieved its final shape as Roberts had
not yet made his full debut and Daines was still preferred to Aleksic.
Since Steve McClaren took over at the Riverside, there has been more
organisation and more tactical awareness about Middlesbrough's play. They
are no longer a side who can be pushed aside with consummate ease and they
are clearly trying to build a side that will win honours in the
not-so-distant future. If Middlesbrough continue to progress like they
have done, McClaren is clearly going to be a candidate for the succession
to the England coaching position once Eriksson has had enough.
George Boateng hopes to be fit for Middlesbrough's trip to Spurs on
Saturday. He has missed the last three games after picking up a hamstring
injury in training. His comeback was then delayed when he caught flu.
Spurs have not yet made any announcement about their squad.
Saturday's match will not be an easy game and I suspect that we may well
have to settle for a point, given our inability to sustain our game over
90 minutes.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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