|
· See the current injury list for all Premiership Teams
· All the Spurs Stats you could hope for here! THFC6061 Sports Stats
Spurs full Cup record against Leeds Utd.
F.A. CUP
Season Rd H/A Result Scorer(s)
1953-54 3 A 3-3 Walters, Bennett (2)
1953-54 3R H 1-0 Bennett
1971-72 Q-F A 1-2 Pratt
1981-82 4 H 1-0 Crooks
1998-99 5 A 1-1 Sherwood
1998-99 5R H 2-0 Anderton, Ginola
2009-10 4 H 2-2 Crouch, Pavlyuchenko
2009-10 4R A 3-1 Defoe (3)
Spurs and Leeds have never met in the League Cup.
Going to ELLand Road (and back I hope)
The last time we played Leeds was only three years ago, and at the same stage of the FA Cup. Leeds then were leading League One and on the crest of a wave, having been the surprise and heroic victors over their most hated rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Leeds' goal-scoring hero that season was Jermaine Beckford, who in three seasons at Leeds, scored 71 goals in 126 league games. It was Beckford who scored the dramatic winner at Old Trafford to give Leeds their place in the fourth round, and he scored both their goals (one from the penalty spot in the fourth round match at White Hart Lane, earning his side a 2-2 draw, and the right to play again at Elland Road.
That replay was played in freezing winter conditions, with snow lying on the ground surrounding the Elland Road stadium. Spurs ran out comfortable winners, as a result of a Jermain Defoe hat-trick, with the Argentinean Luciano Becchio the goal-scoring hero for Leeds just before the interval.
Beckford was snapped up by Everton, but failed to live up to the expectation and promise after that sensational season with Leeds, who he did help to promotion back to the Championship. Beckford went to Leicester and is currently on loan at Huddersfield. His goal-scoring record is at a moderate level now, but he did score Huddersfield's third round winner at Charlton, but now will not be able to play in Huddersfield's next game against - Leicester!
The Leeds squad is much changed in the three years, but Becchio still stars there, and remains a prolific goal-scorer, with 16 goals in 25 league games played so far this season, and 20 goals in all competitions. Clearly, he will be a danger man, and in front of their own passionate crowd, Leeds will be a difficult opponent. The latest news about Becchio though is that he has put in a transfer request, so his commitment to the Leeds cause must be in doubt.
Last time at Elland Road was an unpleasant experience after the game, as were held in the ground for 45 minutes, and simply herded by the police into the face of awaiting Leeds trouble-makers. I have contacted Tottenham about this issue, and have been assured that measures are in place to ensure our safety this time around. I note that away fans are now accommodated in the John Charles West Stand, and not behind the Elland Road goal, as used to be the case.
On the subject of safety, I have been assured via Tottenham Hotspur and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust of the following:-
("Sue" is club safety officer, Sue Tilling)
"Following your initial email, Sue has been speaking with our Police contacts who, in turn, have gained assurances from their Leeds counterparts. We have received confirmation this morning of the following:
· Issues experienced by Spurs fans on our last visit to Elland Road have been addressed. Similar problems had also been highlighted by other clubs and appropriate action taken to eliminate the causes.
· The areas where problems arose previously now have an increased police presence to ensure safety and good behaviour
· There have been no incidents or issues for visiting supporters at Elland Road this season
· THFC police will be present in and around the visitors area on Sunday
Both police forces are confident that all appropriate measure have been put in place to ensure that Sunday will pass of peacefully and that visiting supporters will not encounter the incidents experienced previously."
Leeds are hoping that the recent takeover by a Middle East financial group GFH Capital will provide them with new players and the impetus to return to the Premier League, which they left in 2004. At the moment Neil Warnock's side is in mid-table in 11th place, just five points off the play-off places. With four defeats in their last 8 league games, Leeds' form will have to improve. Warnock was appointed last February to replace Simon Grayson, with the clear mission to win promotion. That task remains a tough one. Warnock has been in management now for over 20 years, and if he carries on much longer, he'll have "more clubs than Tommy Docherty". Incidentally, Simon Grayson has just been sacked by Huddersfield.
Familiar faces in the Leeds side are likely to be former Sheffield United and QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, Michael Brown, once of Spurs, and most recently of Portsmouth, and perhaps most notoriously El Hadji ("Gobber") Diouf, who once spat into the crowd at Celtic when playing for Liverpool. Recently, a young Leeds fan who apparently idolises Diouf, caused a little controversy by "blacking up" to imitate his hero in every way, including the hair style.
Andre Villas-Boas will want to field a strong side, but has to keep half an eye towards next Wednesday's important league game at Norwich. There have been rumours about Jermain Defoe's fitness, but we'll wait and see on that. I suspect we will see a near first choice side out for Spurs. Walker might get a break, with Naughton playing at right back, whilst Benoit Assou-Ekoto could continue at left back. AVB will choose between Vertonghen and Caulker for this game, with rotation in mind for the Norwich game. If Andros Townsend was to play, he'd get a noisy reception from Leeds fans. Andros went there on loan in January last year, but left soon after Warnock's appointment, with his agent saying he was not too happy. Townsend was diverted to Birmingham, where former Spur Chris Hughton was in charge last season.
Hopefully the heavy snow that has fallen overnight on Friday will have disappeared with the anticipated rainfall and thaw tonight. I'll take Spurs to win 3-1 again!
The referee for this game will be Kevin Friend, who has been in charge of our games at Carlisle and Everton so far this season.
Top of page | Index to 2012-13 Match Reports
| 
