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Spurs' Cup Record v Nottingham Forest

FA CUP

Season  Rd   H/A   Result

66-67   S-F   N    W 2-1
70-71    5    H    W 2-1
74-74    3    A    D 1-1
74-75    3R   H    L 0-1
90-91    F    W    W 2-1
95-96    5    A    D 2-2
95-96    5R   H    D 1-1
Forest won 3-1 pens
04-05    5    H    D 1-1
04-05    5(R) A    W 3-0

LEAGUE CUP

81-82   Q-F   H    W 1-0
89-90   Q-F   A    D 2-2
89-90   Q-FR  H    L 2-3
91-92   S-F1  A    D 1-1
91-92   S-F2  H    L 1-2 (a.e.t)
92-93    4    A    L 0-2
14-15    3    H    W 3-1

Will we see Djed Spence?

This will be only our fifth meeting with Nottingham Forest in the 21st century. Until this season, that figure had been just three, as the teams met in a replayed FA Cup 5th Round game in 2005 and in a League Cup 3rd Round tie in September, 2014. Spurs won that game 3-1 and it was a memorable occasion for Ryan Mason, now on our first team coaching staff.

In what was then called the Capital One Cup 8 years ago, Ryan Mason came off the bench after 65 minutes and within 7 minutes scored the first of Spurs' three goals after Jorge Grant had given Forest a 61st minute lead. Ryan's goal was a 25-yard cracker and his first senior goal for the club. It was to become a proper breakthrough season for Mason, highly rated by Mauricio Pochettino. Ryan made 31 of his Premier League appearances for Spurs in that season and was awarded his one full England cap in March 2015 in a 1-1 drawn friendly against Italy.

Harry Kane made his big breakthrough for Spurs in that season too, and he had also come off the bench and scored another of our goals in our 2014 League Cup tie. Roberto Soldado had scored our second goal and the scoreline was comfortable. At the time, Forest were unbeaten and stood top of The Championship. Managed by former club hero Stuart Pearce, defeat at Tottenham heralded a bad dip in form and they embarked upon a run of 8 games without a win, and only three wins in their next 20 league games, dropping to 12th place. Pearce and Forest parted, and Dougie Freedman took over, but Forest finished the season in fourteenth place. Forest have had six managers since, including Spurs legend Chris Hughton, before current boss Steve Cooper was appointed. Despite their results, after a 4-0 defeat to Leicester Steve Cooper was given a vote confidence and awarded a new contract taking him to 2025!

Now we are meeting for the second time this season, both of which will have been played at The City Ground. Two of the Forest squad for that 2014 game are currently on Newcastle’s books, goalkeeper Karl Darlow and defender Jamaal Lascelles, although neither get much game time these days in Eddie Howe’s line-up.

Under the leadership of the great Brian Clough, apart from their League and European Cup heroics, Forest were four-times winners of the League Cup in 1978, 1979, 1989 and 1990. They beat Spurs in the 1990 quarter-final on their way to their last major trophy win. Spurs were managed by Terry Venables who would have the last laugh when we won our last FA Cup in 1991. The first leg of the 1990 tie was at The City Ground and was drawn 2-2. Forest went two up through Gary Crosby and Gary Parker. The Forest side included Stuart Pearce and Nigel Clough. Spurs replied through Gary Lineker and Steve Sedgley. The replay took place one week later. Nayim scored a first minute goal, but Forest went 3-1 up through Steve Hodge (2) and Nigel Jemson. Paul Walsh’s reply was not enough to prevent an end to our run that year. Forest beat Coventry in the semi-final and Oldham in the final.

Steve Hodge had started his professional career at Forest, before moving to Villa then coming to Spurs for a season and a half. After returning to Forest, Hodge had three seasons at Leeds with whom he won a League Championship medal in 1991/92.

In that 2014/15 season we reached the final but lost 2-0 to Chelsea.

Our first Premier League meeting with Forest since 1999 was our fourth game of this season and our second away game. Harry Kane scored both our goals but the second did not come till the 81st minute when we could feel confident about the win.

Forest invested a lot of money in some 23 players in the hope of securing Premier League football for more than one season. Things do not look too promising at the moment, as they are holding up the Premier League table with 10 points which include two wins. One of these was against Liverpool recently - something we could not manage on Sunday.

Christian Stellini handled yesterday’s press conference when he was not very revealing about our strategy and likely selection, except to say he and Antonio Conte anticipate a tough game and that they will use a strong squad. Richarlison was back in training this week, but not likely to start in my view. Likewise, "Deki" Kulusevski is probably going to be protected and held on the bench. Djed Spence, who played with Forest successfully on loan last season, was mentioned and might get a start for the first time this season.

Both teams have important Premier League matches on Saturday and the teams are likely to reflect that. Forest will be missing Omar Richards, Harry Toffolo, Giulian Biancone, Jack Colback and Moussa Niakhate. We might see our former right back Serge Aurier, who has played in 6 league games so far this season, including 90 minutes in the last three games. Morgan Gibbs-White is the player to look out for in Forest's side, if he is selected.

As for predictions, I have to go for a Spurs win, but it will be quite narrow. If the team includes players seeking to prove themselves, such as Spence and Bryan Gil then we could be in for an entertaining night. The game kicks off at 7.45pm and has to be decided tonight. Hopefully, we will be in tomorrow’s fourth round draw, taking place after Manchester United’s game against Aston Villa. Fourth Round games are scheduled for the week before Christmas after the completion of the World Cup.

Match referee Peter Bankes is in charge of Spurs for the seventh time. His last Spurs game was our away draw against West Ham when he booked five Spurs players. Mr. Bankes has refereed six Premier League games so far this season. He also had a couple of Europa Conference League qualifiers in July and August. Mr. Bankes was in the middle for our Carabao Cup Fourth Round win at Turf Moor last October when Lucas Moura scored the only goal of the game.

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