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Full League Record - Spurs v Norwich City

Prem          Pl   W   D   L   F - A  Pts
Home           7   3   2   2  11 - 7   11
Away           7   4   2   1   9 - 3   14
=========================================
Total(Prem)   14   7   4   3  20 -10   25
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Football Lge
Home (Div 1)  16   9   5   2  31 - 14  31
Away (Div 1)  16   3   5   8  20 - 30  12
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Total (Div 1) 32  12  10  10  51 - 44  43
=========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2)   4   3   0   1  12 - 5    6
Away (Div 2)   4   2   0   2   6 - 6    4
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Total (Div 2)  8   5   0   3  18 - 11  10
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Total(Prem)   14   7   4   3  20 -10   25
Total (Div 1) 32  12  10  10  51 - 44  43
Total (Div 2)  8   5   0   3  18 - 11  10
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Grand Total   54  24  14  16  89 - 65  78
=========================================

Last Six Premier League results:-

Spurs      -    DWDDLW

Arsenal    1-1   Spurs
Spurs      4-1   West Ham
Spurs      0-0   Chelsea
West Brom  1-1   Spurs
Spurs      1-2   Newcastle
S'hampton  0-2   Spurs

Norwich    -    WLDLDW

Norwich    1-0   Swansea
Chelsea    1-0   Norwich   
Norwich    1-1   Arsenal
Watford    2-0   Norwich
Norwich    1-1   Everton
Man Utd    1-2   Norwich

Pos           P  W  D  L   F-A   GD  Pts
 4. Spurs    17  7  8  2  28-14  14   29
16. Norwich  17  4  5  7  20-29  -9   17

A truly festive fixture

The last time we played Norwich was on 23rd February, 2014, when we were fighting (a losing battle) for a Champions League place, and Norwich were fighting for survival. Norwich gave themselves a big boost at Carrow Road that day in front of Sky's cameras with a 1-0 win. The goal was scored by Robert Snodgrass, who had been a successful signing from Leeds, but was sold to Hull when Norwich went down. Sadly for Snodgrass, he was injured on Day One of the 2014-15 season, and has only very recently begun his comeback.

One reason for Norwich's immediate return to the Premier League is the fact they managed to keep so many of their squad together. 8 of the players who appeared in that last game against us are still in the squad, along with two of the unused subs. Another reason for their success is the impact of head coach Alex Neil, still only 34, who was brought in from Hamilton, and was an unknown quantity and untested in England since his playing days for Barnsley and Mansfield over 10 years ago.

A reason for Norwich suffering another severe test for Premier League survival is the fact that they were quite unadventurous in the summer transfer market. Midfielder Graeme Dorrans was signed from West Brom and has made 10 starts. Youssouf Mulumbu also arrived from West Brom. Mulumbu was signed by West Brom on the day that Robbie Keane returned to Spurs from Liverpool at the end of January 2009. Mulumbu had five good seasons at The Hawthorns, but played only 10 times last season, and has made just two league starts this season for Neil.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Robbie Brady was signed from Hull, and has been ever-present for "The Canaries" this season, whilst also playing a full part in The Republic's success in the Euro 2016 play-offs.

Despite their position, Norwich's form over their last six games is not far removed from that of Spurs. Both have won two, but Norwich have lost one more game than Mauricio Pochettino's men. They will come to White Hart Lane full of Christmas cheer, following their win at Old Trafford last week.

We've had several Christmas meetings with Norwich over the years. The first was December 27th 1980, when we drew 2-2 at Carrow Road. Steve Archibald and Glenn Hoddle scored our goals. The late Milija Aleksic was in goal for Spurs. Norwich's side featured centre forward Joe Royle, more commonly associated with Everton, and also Kevin Bond, later to assist Harry Redknapp at Spurs.

Just before Christmas 1984, we won 2-1 at Carrow Road, with Garth Crooks and Tony Galvin on the scoresheet for Spurs. Norwich's side included Steve Bruce, Dave Watson, Mich Channon and Asa Hartford. Jump forwward to Boxing Day 1992, and we had a Premier League encounter, again away, which ended 0-0. The following year, Norwich surprised us at White Hart Lane with a 3-1 win. That was the season when "The Canaries" got one of their greatest results ever when they famously beat Bayern Munich away. They suffered a loss of form and finished 12th in the league.

Meetings with "The Canaries" became an annual Boxing Day feature, as we again travelled to Carrow Road and won 2-0 in 1994. Nick Barmby and Teddy Sheringham scored our goals. We were even meeting Norwich at Easter too in those days!

Norwich's 9 year absence from the top flight gave us a break from festive fixtures until 26th December, 2004, when second half goals by Robbie Keane and Michael Brown secured the points. Former Spur Gary Doherty and future Spur David Bentley were in the Norwich side. It seems that Doherty's playing days are over, having last played for Wycombe Wanderers in February 2014. At least Doherty's career lasted well into his thirties, which is more than can be said for Bentley, who faded and disappeared off the map.

Our last Christmas game against Norwich was on 27th December, 2011, and Gareth Bale took the game by storm with both goals. Spurs were in third place, and would finish the season in fourth, but we all know what Chelsea did that year!

These days Norwich have another former Spur in their ranks. Sebastien Bassong, who scored on his Spurs debut against Liverpool in August 2009, actually won two promotion medals last season, because he spent part of the season on loan with Watford, before returning to his home club to take part in the successful play-off final against Middlesbrough. Bassong had not been favoured by Alex Neil's predecessor, Neil Adams, but was restored in the New Year, and is ever-present this season.

Nathan Redmond leads the Norwich league score-chart with just 4 goals. He is closely followed by another English U-21 striker Cameron Jerome, now 29, who led Norwich's scorers last season. Jerome is another ever-present this season.

As can be seen, this is a truly festive fixture. Norwich have an excellent travelling support, and I am sure there will be a great Boxing Day atmosphere. Norwich have got 22 year old Andre Wisdom on loan from Liverpool, but he's been out since early December with a hamstring injury. Wisdom has made just 6 starts anyway. Another loan player Matt Jarvis (from West Ham) has not played since October, due to a knee injury.

Spurs' team news is not likely to be much different from last week. Ryan Mason is close to a return, but I think the only possible change for Spurs is the return of Danny Rose from illness. Pochettino will need to "watch the minutes" of his players with two games in two days, but three points from this home game is imperative to maintain our top four challenge. I'm going for a 2-0 win!

Referee Mike Jones has not been a favourite of Spurs fans in recent years. We first encountered Mr. Jones in a 2-2 draw at Bolton in October 2009 and most recently in our 0-0 home draw against Everton in August, after which he was described by Spurs Odyssey readers as "Worst referee ever", "Everton's 12th player", and "....absolute disgrace to his profession". On the other hand, when he was in charge and we beat Liverpool 4-0 in September 2011, he was the bee's knees!

May I take this further opportunity to wish all readers a very happy Christmas. As usual (the webmaster likes to celebrate too!) reports and updates may be delayed during the holiday period.

· Premier League results 10 years ago this week

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