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This preview was written by Brian Judson

The following is a tabulation of all our results against Bradford City. As can be seen, we had not played Bradford City in the old First Division since they were relegated from that Division at the conclusion of season 1921-22, prior to our match at Valley Parade earlier this season.

Previous Results
       Div     H    A
1909-10    1  0-0  1-5
1910-11    1  2-0  0-3
1911-12    1  2-3  0-3
1912-13    1  2-1  1-3
1913-14    1  0-0  1-2
1914-15    1  0-0  2-2
1920-21    1  2-0  0-2
1921-22    1  1-0  4-0
1929-30    2  1-1  2-0
1930-31    2  3-1  0-2
1931-32    2  1-5  0-2
1932-33    2  1-1  1-0
1935-36    2  4-0  1-0
1936-37    2  5-1  2-2

Prem           Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home            0   0   0   0     0-0    0
Away            1   0   1   0     1-1    1
===========================================
Total (Prem)    1   0   1   0     1-1    1
===========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 1)    8   4   3   1     9-4   11
Away (Div 1)    8   1   1   6     9-20   4
===========================================
Total (Div 1)  16   5   4   7    18-24  15
===========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2)    6   3   2   1    15-9    8
Away (Div 2)    6   3   1   2     6-6    7
===========================================
Total (Div 2)  12   6   3   3    21-15  15
===========================================
Total (Prem)    1   0   1   0     1-1    1
Total (Div 1)  16   5   4   7    18-24  15
Total (Div 2)  12   6   3   3    21-15  15
===========================================
Grand Total    29  11   8  10    40-40  31 
===========================================

There have been other meetings with Bradford City. The following results are our Cup games with them :

FA Cup

Season   Rd  H/A   Result Goalscorers

1920-21  2    H     4-0   Seed 3, Banks
1969-70  3    A     2-2   Greaves, Morgan
         3R   H     5-0   Pearce 2, Greaves 2, Morgan
1988-89  3    A     0-1 

FL Cup

Season   Rd  H/A   Result Goalscorers 

1990-91  3    H     2-1   Gascoigne Stewart

This weekend, we play the return match with Bradford City. When we played them last September, we dominated the match and should have thrashed them out of sight. However, we displayed the faults that have been all too common this season in that we were shot shy in front of the Bantams' goal and showed an alarming lack of concentration in the dying seconds of the game. Chris Perry headed us into a 76th minute lead, which looked likely to be sufficient to ensure we grabbed all three points at stake. But McCall headed an equaliser deep into added time as Spurs thought they had done enough.

Since then, Bradford City have been deeply involved in the relegation scrap that is now turning on the outcome of which of three clubs (Bradford City, Derby County or Southampton) are going to accompany Sheffield Wednesday and Watford in the big drop. The Bantams and the Rams are level on points and separated only by goal difference. The Bantams have been poor travellers whereas the Rams have been unable to win their home matches. Bradford City still have to play Southampton (8th April) and Derby County (22nd April) at Valley Parade. I think it is likely those two games will more or less settle the relegation issue. The Bantams must win both of them if they are to have any hopes for survival.

Unlike Watford, who have not spent very heavily to strengthen their squad, which is largely why the Hornets are unlikely to survive, Bradford City have cast their net far and wide. Their most recent signing has been Cadete, who once played for Celtic. But they also have veteran players such as the much travelled Dean Saunders and Peter Beagrie and Stuart McCall, who won honours for Everton and Rangers. In Paul Jewell, Bradford City have one of the most promising young managers in the game. I am confident we will see more of him, perhaps with a bigger club before too long.

And how do I see tomorrow's match? Spurs have now almost a fully fit squad for the first time this season. The only casualty at present is Tim Sherwood, who has now had his much-needed operation to cure his long-standing groin problem. We shall not be able to offer the excuse of injuries disrupting the team in the event of another home defeat. However, providing we score at an early stage to settle our nerves and then maintain the necessary concentration, I feel sure we can win tomorrow's match. However, I would again remind readers that Spurs have a long history of losing to relegation strugglers so don't raise your hopes in expectation of a goal feast.

As ever, please get behind the team and support them, even if your particularly disliked player is playing badly. COME ON YOU SPURS!

Cheers, Brian

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