Consent Preferences Spurs Odyssey - Preview Spurs v West Brom - 08.12.02
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Preview Spurs v West Brom, 08.12.02

Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game


Full Record of Spurs -v- West Bromwich Albion

Prem         Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home          0   0   0   0    0 - 0   0
Away          0   0   0   0    0 - 0   0
========================================
Total(Prem)   0   0   0   0    0 - 0   0
========================================
Football Lge
Home(Div 1)  45  22  11  12   79 -46  55
Away(Div 1)  45  12   7  26   54 -94  31
========================================
Total(Div 1) 90  34  18  38  133 -140 86
========================================
Football Lge
Home(Div 2)   8   3   3   2   12 -10   9
Away(Div 2)   8   1   1   6   14 -20   3
========================================
Total(Div 2) 16   4   4   8   26 -30  12
========================================
Total(Prem)   0   0   0   0    0 - 0   0
Total(Div 1) 90  34  18  38  133 -140 86
Total(Div 2) 16   4   4   8   26 -30  12
========================================
Grand Total 106  38  22  46  159 -170 98
========================================

West Bromwich Albion have not featured in top flight football since season 1985-86. They were quickly marooned at the foot of the table. They did not win a match until they beat Birmingham City 2-1at the Hawthorns on October 15th 1985. They did not win their second game until Boxing Day when they beat Watford 3-1, also at the Hawthorns. They then completed the double over Birmingham City on February 8th 1986, beating them 1-0. Their fourth and final victory was against Southampton, when they won 1-0, again at the Hawthorns. They scraped up 24 points through drawing games at the Hawthorns against Oxford United (1-1), Spurs (1-1), Arsenal (0-0), Newcastle (1-1), Leicester City (2-2), Coventry City (0-0), Nottingham Forest (1-1) and Sheffield Wednesday (1-1). They also drew at Leicester City (2-2), Oxford United (2-2), Aston Villa (1-1) and Arsenal (2-2, after being 2-0 sown at half-time!).

For the record, we thrashed West Bromwich Albion 5-0, at White Hart Lane. The scorers were: Mabbutt, Statham (own goal), Galvin, Falco and Waddle. Our team that day was: Thomas, Paul Allen, Hughton, Roberts, Miller, Stevens, Mabbutt, Falco, Galvin (sub Clive Allen), Hoddle, Waddle

West Bromwich Albion were very poor that day and clearly gave me the impression they had given up the ghost. At one point of the season, the bookmakers were laying odds against the Baggies managing to acquire double figures in points. Then, everyone wondered if they would manage to beat Queen's Park Rangers 1968-69 total of 18 points, which they ultimately did.

It was a far cry from the days of the 1950s when West Bromwich Albion came within a hairs-breadth of becoming the first club to complete the League and Cup double. Managed by Vic Buckingham, a former Spurs player, he applied Arthur Rowe's principles of push and run. The Baggies won the FA Cup, 3-2, denying Tom Finney a long-cherished ambition of being a winning Finalist. But they missed the League title by 4 points, finishing runners-up to Wolves.

In the 1960s, the Baggies put the Indian sign on Tottenham as they seemed to be able to beat us at Tottenham. Their most notable victory was their 2-1 win that prevented us from breaking Arsenal's long standing Division One record of 66 points for a season (under 2 points for a win).

In these days of quick changing managers, West Bromwich Albion have had eleven managers since sacking Johnny Giles, their manager during their relegation season. There were some familiar names in the list as both Ossie Ardiles and Keith Burkinshaw have managed the Baggies. Both did not stay very long there. But one manager remained in charge at the Hawthorns for 46 seasons : one Fred Everiss. He was in charge from 1902 until 1948!

Spurs and West Bromwich Albion have fought promotion battles from Division 2 twice. In 1908-09, Bolton and Spurs were promoted at their expense (3rd) and in 1930-31, the Baggies had their revenge as they finished runners-up to Everton whilst we were 3rd.

Given Spurs long-standing habit of dropping points against teams we really ought to beat, I shall not be surprised if we repeat this again on Sunday. As always the case, it will depend on the format of the team and the desire (or the lack of it!) to impose themselves on the team. There has been criticism of Hoddle recently because he does not seem to be sure what the right tactics are and not sure of his best eleven. It is obvious that changes are going to have to be made to the squad with both Poyet and Sheringham increasingly unable to keep up with the pace of the game. But the MAIN problem is that too often there is a clear lack of LEADERSHIP on the pitch.

When things have gone wrong in the past, we saw leadership demonstrated in different ways. Blanchflower geed them up by calming them down. Mackay strode across the field like a colossus. Mullery and Roberts had the same style of boring forward and running hither and thither. Perryman played by example, ensuring no one hid. Gough marshalled the back four during his only season with us brilliantly. Mabbutt organised the back four and made them a rock on which teams broke themselves. But where are we today? WHERE is the leadership?

Spurs SHOULD win 2-1 BUT I won't relax until the final whistle goes!

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Cheers, Brian

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