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Spurs Odyssey Preview - FA Cup
Spurs v Wigan - 02.01.09
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· NEW! - See the current injury list for all Premiership Teams!
Bearing in mind the fact that Spurs first played Wigan in the 2005-06 season, it should be no surprise that these two teams have never met in any Cup competition.
Wigan were first elected to the Football League (Division Four) in 1978. They made Division Two for one season in 92-93, then again in 1997, since when their rise has been steady to the point they made Premier League status in 2005, and have retained that position. Wigan are currently seventh on a very respectable 28 points, and whereas in previous seasons they have tended to concentrate on maintaining League status, rather than focus on the FA Cup, they can afford to relax about the competition this year. I am sure that manager Steve Bruce will want his team to give their all on Friday night to make sure that they are not the first Premier League side out of this year's competition.
Wigan's best year in the FA Cup to date was in 1987, when they reached the quarter-finals as a Division Three side. "The Latics" had home ties all the way at their old Springfield Park stadium, disposing of Gillingham, Norwich (then a top flight team), and Hull, before coming up against Leeds, who were in Division Two at the time. Leeds were beaten in the semi-final against Coventry who erm, went on to win the competition for the only time in their history.
Wigan's best achievment in a major Cup was to reach the League Cup Final three years ago, where they lost to Man Utd 4-0, but beat a strong Arsenal side in the semi-final (on away goals). Wigan's team included Spurs loanee Reto Ziegler, who did make a substitute appearance at Wembley, and Pascal Chimbonda, before he was signed by Spurs. Jimmy Bullard also starred for "The Latics" that year, before he was to be signed by Fulham.
In view of the lack of Cup History between the two sides, I thought it would be interesting to look back at our respective FA Cup records over the last 10 years.
1998-99
Wigan were knocked out in the Second Round replay (on away goals) by Notts County. Spurs made it all the way to Old Trafford for the semi-final against Newcastle, sadly losing in extra time. On the way, we beat Watford, Wimbledon, Leeds, and Barnsley. We also won the League Cup that year, which can be reviewed by checking this page - http://www.spursodyssey.com/fixtures.html
1999-2000
In order to accommodate Manchester United's participation in the World Team Cup, the third round was brought forward to December 1999. Both Wigan and Spurs were out of the Cup before Christmas. Wigan lost at home to Wolves, whilst Spurs drew at home, then got thrashed 6-1 by Newcastle at St James' Park
2000-01
Wigan were knocked out in Round Two - once again by Notts County. Spurs got to another semi-final at Old Trafford, but lost to Arsenal. Gary Doherty scored our goal, and I blew a fiver on a silly bet for Freund to score first, and Spurs to win 2-1! A centre-half associated with "The Tottenham 16" played his last game for Spurs in this match.
2001-02
Wigan were victims to giant killers Canvey island. Former West Ham full-back Julian Dicks had come out of retirement and scored the only goal in a game in which Wigan had two players ent off. Spurs made it to the quarter-final, but when they lost 4-0 at home to Chelsea it was in the middle of three consecutive 4-0 defeats - two by Chelsea.
2002-03
Wigan made it to the Third Round, but lost 3-0 at Stoke. Spurs had a horrible and forgettable day at Southampton, losing 4-0.
2003-04
Wigan entered the FA Cup at the Third Round stage, but lost 2-1 at home to West Ham. This was the year that Spurs lost 4-3 at home to Man City, having been 3-0 up at half-time.
2004-05
Another early exit foe "The Latics" who lost 2-1 at Pride Park in the Third Round. Spurs made it to the quarter-finals again, beating Brighton, West Brom and Forest along the way, but losing 1-0 at St. James' Park
2005-06
In the same season that they reached the League Cup Final, Wigan disposed of Leeds in the Third Round, but lost 1-0 at Manchester City. Spurs went out at the first stage in both Cup competitions, and it was Championship side Leicester who came back from 2-0 down to beat us in added time. This was Spurs' shortest season ever, in terms of having only 40 games. We did nearly make it to the Champions' League though.
2006-07
Portsmouth (managed by Harry Redknapp) put paid to Wigan's Cup chances with a 2-1 win at Fratton Park. Spurs had yet another good Cup run, beating Cardiff, Southend and Fulham before nearly conquering Chelsea in the quarter-final at Stamford Bridge. However, Chelsea came back from 3-1 down and knocked us out in the replay at White Hart Lane. Follow the run here:- http://www.spursodyssey.com/0607/fixtures.html
2007-08
Wigan made the fourth round, beating Sunderland at The Stadium of Light, before succumbing 2-1 at home to Chelsea. Spurs battled to get past Reading in the Third Round, but it was all for nought as we were beaten 3-1 at Old Trafford.
There is a new flavour to this year's FA Cup, with Setanta and ITV usurping the previous Sky/BBC collaboration. There will be no choice between Motty and Martin Tyler for this year's final, but the option of an ITV commentator screaming down his mike at you, or an ex-ITV commentator doing his best around low-grade punditry. Thus Spurs and Wigan find themselves playing on a Friday night in London, facing the prospect of being the first Premier League team out of this year's competition.
We already know that Heskey and Kirkland will be missing for Wigan, and that Spurs will miss the suspended Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Wigan have Lee Cattermole suspended, but no other problems. Harry Redknapp will rest Ledley King to be prepared either for the Carling Cup semi-final next week, or perhaps the wigan away League game. Jermaine Jenas is described as doubtful, and Tom Huddlestone has to sit out due to his ankle injury. There will surely be a place for Jamie O'Hara, and from the glowing comments Harry has made about Adel Taarabt, it looks as if he could get a game at last this season.
It is going to be another tough game, and hard to call. Wigan got a 0-0 draw in the League game here in September, and there is every reason to believe they will be just as difficult to break through. I suspect that Spurs will be held to another draw, and will have to face two journeys to the North-West in 10 days' time.
Top of page | Index to 2008-09 Match Reports
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