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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
SEASON RD H/A RESULT
Lge Cup
70-71 5 H 4-1
77-78 3 H 2-3
91-92 4 A 2-1
95-96 3 A 2-3
Tomorrow night's (Wednesday's) match always brings back memories of a
horror match played in May 1987. Sixteen years have slipped by but this is
a Cup Final I still cannot bring myself to view again. I can remember
everything up to the moment Clive Allen swoops to put us ahead after Three
minutes but nothing again until that very well documented own goal that
sealed our fate.
I have happier memories of our Cup tie against Coventry in the 5th Round
of the Football League Cup in 1970-71. We were on our way to Wembley and
Coventry were not the team to deflect us from our purpose. A hat-trick by
Chivers and a goal by Gilzean was sufficient to put us through.
Our home defeat by Coventry in the 1977-78 season was of no moment as far
as I was concerned. Promotion back to the First Division was the priority
and I did not lose too much sleep over that defeat. John Pratt and Gerry
Armstrong scored our goals that night.
I was not present at the last two games that we played in this
competition. The current sponsors are, of course, Carling, but for me it
will always be the Football League Cup.
The events that have occurred over the past few days will be hanging over
us for a while whilst the media pick over the bones of the latest
dismissal of a Tottenham manager. I always thought it was a dreadful
mistake to appoint Hoddle in the first place. His man-management skills
have always been poor and the feuding that permeated the dressing room and
the failure to have a relationship with certain players seems to have had
a disastrous effect on the team. The media themselves cannot be totally
blameless, particularly the tabloids. For far too long the tabloids have
been too fond of sticking their knives into Tottenham, to my disgust.
I am not going to express a view on who should be the next manager. The
Board should take their time and select someone who can lift us. We simply
dare not fall through the trapdoor to the Football League as I fear we
would never regain our position upstairs. Look how hard it is for newly
promoted teams to make an impact. Bolton came up, raided a few unexpected
grounds and have since sunk to the bottom of the table, perennially
fighting to avoid the drop.
How will this week's match go? Much will depend on how quickly David Pleat
and Chris Hughton can lift the team. If we can win this match, we might
find ourselves gaining in confidence. I don't think it will be an end to
end game as I think Spurs will be cautious and aiming to catch Coventry on
the break. There may only be one goal in the outcome.
To those who are going : PLEASE GET BEHIND THE BOYS AND ENCOURAGE THEM, NO
MATTER HOW BADLY THEY PLAY!
Cheers, Brian
· Read my preview of this game
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