Tottenham Spurs In History

Can the Prospective Managers Do Better than Redknapp?

2012-06-17T08:13:00.001+01:00

The removal of Harry Redknapp from Tottenham has resulted in the immediate drawing up of a list of potential managers to fill the vacancy. Do their credentials suggest that any one of them is capable of doing better than the departing Redknapp and taking Spurs to the 'next' level?

The immediate favourite among the 'bookies' was the Everton manager, David Moyes, with Wigan's Roberto Martinez also highly regarded. Other names which were prominent on the list were former Spurs player, Jurgen Klinsmann, Fabio Capello, Sven-Goran Eriksson and the man who is looking increasingly like the next Tottenham manager, Andre Villas-Boas. Other names to be mentioned in dispatches included Alan Pardew, Glenn Hoddle, Laurent Blanc, Didier Deschamps, Pep Guardiola and Slavin Bilic among others.

David Moyes
As I've blogged previously, Why David Moyes? He has done a good job during ten years at Everton with a limited budget but has never won a trophy and on the one occasion that Everton did qualify for the Champions League, they failed to reach the Group stages and were then knocked out of the UEFA Cup prior to the group stages.

Moyes' teams are hard-working and have always been well-drilled and organised defensively but there has been a lack of the style of football that a Spurs' manager is expected to produce. As Irving Scholar stated in his book, 'Behind Closed Doors', when considering a replacement for Keith Burkinshaw, the requirements for a Tottenham manager were 'winning and entertaining' football.

Roberto Martinez
Martinez has worked miracles to keep Wigan Athletic in the Premier League over the past three seasons when they have finished fifteenth, sixteenth and fifteenth. In the past two seasons Wigan have been among the favourites for relegation until a late revival has saved them. Only at the death have his teams produced the results. They are capable of playing good football but have also suffered heavy losses. As well as the 1 - 9 defeat at White Hart Lane in November, 2009 their final match of that season ended in an eight goal defeat at Chelsea. The following season started with Wigan conceding ten goals in their opening two games at home to Blackpool and Chelsea. They did turn it around with a single goal victory at Spurs in their next game. Their survival in the Premier League was due to taking eight points from their final four matches of that season. Hardly, impelling credentials for a Tottenham manager.

Jurgen Klinsmann
Klinsmann impressed in international management with Germany but only remained for two years. His time with Bayern Munich was ended in less than a year due to a difference of opinion with the Board of Directors. He has been manager of the American national team since last August.

Klinsmann has been mentioned before when Spurs have been looking for a new manager but the arguments against him then are still applicable. He is always looking for new challenges as he did as a player, sampling football in different Leagues around Europe. There would never be any certainty that he would see the job through and then his problem with the Bayern Board doesn't bode well for establishing a good working relationship with Daniel Levy and co.

Fabio Capello
He has an excellent record in club football with nine League titles in Italy and Spain. However, he has never managed in Premier League and his time with England raised the problem of his communication skills due to his lack of fluency in English. It would be a rather ironic appointment if the man Redknapp had expected to replace as England manager were to be his successor at White Hart Lane.

Sven-Goran Eriksson
Eriksson is another foreign manager with an exceptional record in club football across Europe. He could have had the position at White Hart Lane in 1997 if Alan Sugar had known anything about him. Harry Harris writes in his book, 'Hold the Front Page' that he received word that Sven-Goran Eriksson was interested in coming to England.

'I received a call from Bryan King on my mobile.....He wondered how Spurs were getting on in their search for a new coach, and I told him, that they couldn't find the right candidate.

"How about Sven-Goran Eriksson?" ventured Bryan.

What a great idea, as he had a growing reputation built on steady progress through a number of European countries, such as Sweden, Portugal and Italy.......

Immediately I contacted Alan Sugar. Naturally enough, the Spurs chairman hadn't heard of him, and really I didn't expect that he would have. Alan suggested he would make some inquiries.....

The next day Alan called back and told me that he had consulted with people and Eriksson was not for Spurs."

Sugar went on to appoint Christian Gross. Since his time as England team coach, Eriksson's dalliance with club football has been less impressive. His time has passed.

Rafa Benitez
Benitez is another manager with vast experience and success in Spain taking Valencia to the title twice as well as winning the UEFA Cup. In six years with Liverpool they were runners-up in the Premier League, won the FA Cup and took the ultimate prize in 2005 - winning the Champions League.

His teams are well prepared and were capable of playing attractive football. He seemed to be at his best when preparing for the European competitions, especially when with Liverpool taking them to another Champions League Final in 2007. The pressure of the rivalry with Manchester United seemed to get to him while at Anfield.

His time with Inter Milan was less fruitful where he stayed for only a season. He took over from Jose Mourinho and was manager of Inter when they faced Spurs in two memorable games in the Champions League. The master-tactician when faced with the pace of Gareth Bale seemed at a loss as to how to stop him. Having been given fair warning of Bale's ability in the first game at the San Siro as Bale scored a hat-trick, Benitez failed to implement ant special arrangements to curtail his effectiveness in the second match at White Hart Lane. Bale again reigned supreme as chants of 'Taxi for Maicon' rang around the ground during Spurs emphatic and well deserved 3 - 1 victory.

Alan Pardew, Frank de Boer and Glenn Hoddle and many others have also been mentioned along with Andre Villas-Boas who left Stamford Bridge in March after a difficult time at Chelsea.

Andre Villas-Boas
After only a couple of days, rumours suggest that Villas-Boas has moved to the head of the vacancy list, to work along with Tim Sherwood as Director of Football. Sherwood, the former Spurs player who was responsible for the Development squad at Spurs under Redknapp is the only member of the senior backroom staff to survive the cull. Kevin Bond, Joe Jordan, Clive Allen and Les Ferdinand have all gone, leaving room for a new team to be appointed.

Villas-Boas had an excellent reputation for his work with Porto where his team won the League, Cup and Europa League in his one season in charge. Porto went through the season undefeated and won the title by a twenty point margin. This success attracted Chelsea to the young manager but his time at Stamford Bridge was problematic, where he had difficulties with the players, the owner and the media, eventually losing his post in March.

When Juande Ramos came to Tottenham he had an excellent reputation with Seville but it didn't work out in the Premier League. Appointing Villas-Boas would be a huge gamble for Tottenham who are looking to get into the Champions League on a regular basis as well as win trophies. Will he be given the time at White Hart Lane to get his new ideas across, that wasn't afforded to him at Stamford Bridge? The press, opposing fans and supporters will be waiting for any signs of weakness as they did with a previous manager, Christian Gross, and Villas-Boas could find it difficult if he doesn't make an immediate impression as comparisons will be made with his predecessor.

Tottenham fans must also be willing to show patience if Villas-Boas were to be the chosen one.

Appointing a new manager is one of the most difficult tasks facing any Chairman. The sudden departure of a successful manager makes it even more precarious a task that Daniel Levy has set for himself.

Harry Redknapp is the 24th Manager Since ............

2012-06-16T14:53:00.001+01:00

that day in 1984 when Chairman, Irving Scholar thought he had reached agreement with Alex Ferguson, the manager of Aberdeen, to take over at White Hart Lane.

The management merry-go-round continues at White Hart Lane. After three and a half years (1327 days and 144 Premier League games), Harry Redknapp has been moved on and the search begins to find someone who will be able to take Spurs to the 'next level'.

Keith Burkinshaw 1984 UEFA Cup

In 1984, Keith Burkinshaw announced that he would be leaving Tottenham at the end of the season. He went on to see Spurs win the UEFA Cup Final against Anderlecht in his final match in charge but the Chairman at the time had the task of finding a suitable replacement.

Irving Scholar writes in his book, 'Behind Closed Doors' (1992),

"So who could replace Keith? I had been talking to Alex Ferguson, then managing Aberdeen. These conversations had reached a point of agreeing personal terms, and we shook hands on a deal. However, he had second thoughts about the matter and decided not to accept my offer.

Ferguson would have been a good choice. He had managed to break the Glasgow monopoly of Rangers and Celtic and had considerable European experience, having won the Cup Winners' Cup by beating Real Madrid in the Final a short time previously. The way his teams played was also very important: whilst they were winning, they were also entertaining - a vital prerequisite for any Spurs side. He was very intense and totally dedicated, something I found very appealing. He also had a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian; it was a good combination for any manager. Unfortunately, for Spurs, he had a father-son relationship with the Aberdeen Chairman, and I think, on reflection, he felt he would be letting him down if he left."

In 1986, Ferguson went to Manchester United and we know the rest. It's interesting to read Scholar's criteria for a Tottenham manager - 'a winning side, playing entertaining football', 'considerable European experience' and 'intense and totally dedicated'.

Since 1984 when Scholar had that appointment to make, Spurs have had the following personnel in control of team affairs, although some were only in a caretaking capacity:

Keith Burkinshaw (1984 UEFA Cup)

1984 Peter Shreeves

1986 David Pleat (1987 FA Cup Finalists)

1987 Trevor Hartley (Caretaker)

1987 Ossie Ardiles, Ray Clemence, Doug Livermore (Caretaker)

1987 Terry Venables (1991 FA Cup)

1991 Peter Shreeve

1992 Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence (Terry Venables)

1993 Ossie Ardiles

1994 Steve Perryman (Caretaker)

1994 Gerry Francis

1997 Chris Hughton (Caretaker)

1997 Christian Gross

1998 David Pleat (Caretaker)

1998 George Graham (1999 Worthington Cup)

2001 David Pleat (Caretaker)

2001 Glenn Hoddle (2003 Worthington Cup Finalists)

2003 David Pleat (Caretaker)

2004 Jacques Santini

2004 Martin Jol

2007 Clive Allen, Alex Inglethorpe (Caretaker)

2007 Juande Ramos (2008 Carling Cup)

2008 Clive Allen, Alex Inglethorpe (Caretaker)

2008 Harry Redknapp (2009 Carling Cup Finalists)

Harry Redknapp is the 24th manager or management team, permanent or temporary, to have taken control of Spurs since that day in 1984 when Irving Scholar thought he had reached agreement with Alex Ferguson.

If only Scholar's arrangement had been fulfilled twenty eight years ago, the history of Tottenham Hotspur might be somewhat different or perhaps Daniel Levy should consult Scholar to get his views on the current candidates or better still, does Scholar know a modern day 'Sir Alex Ferguson'.

Redknapp - From Prospective England Manager to Jobless

2012-06-15T12:24:00.001+01:00

In four months Harry Redknapp has gone from being the hot favourite for the England manager's position to being jobless following his departure from Tottenham. How could things have turned around so quickly?

Timetable for Redknapp's Demise at White Hart Lane

8th February:
When Harry Redknapp stood on the steps of Southwark Crown Court he was a relieved man having been cleared of all charges of tax evasion. It had been a harrowing thirteen days for him as he juggled his responsibilities at Spurs with attendance at court. All seemed well in his world - he had received the backing of the club throughout the trial and had been shown fantastic support by Spurs fans at White Hart Lane in the match against Wigan Athletic. With Spurs third in the Premier League, seven points ahead of Chelsea in fourth and ten points clear of fifth placed Arsenal, everything looked good.

A few hours later, a decision would be made that was to turn his world around and would be part of the reason for his departure from Spurs four months later. At the Football Association headquarters, following a meeting with Fabio Capello, the England manager's position became vacant and Redknapp was immediately installed as the 'people's and media's favourite'. It was well known that Redknapp was keen to take the England position and it seemed to be only a matter of time before he would be approached.

Saturday, 11th February:
There was an out-pouring of emotional support for Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane as fans put across the message that they didn't want him to leave for the England post. The players responded in kind and Spurs put in one of their best performances of the season against Newcastle United. Spurs were four ahead by half-time with Emmanuel Adebayor creating all of them. He scored the fifth himself and it seemed that everything that Redknapp touched would turn to gold.

Sunday, 19th February:
Following the previous week's euphoria, Spurs landed at Stevenage in the FA Cup with a bump and a scoreless draw. In a less than satisfactory performance Spurs struggled against the Division One side, seeming to have no clear plan of attack, having focused solely on stopping the hard working lower League team. As Redknapp admitted afterwards it wasn't a very good performance to put on his CV in front of the watching David Bernstein, the FA Chairman.

Sunday, 26th February:

At approximately 2.04 pm at the Emirates as Emmanuel Adebayor scored from the penalty spot to give Spurs a two goal advantage in the north London derby, Spurs, in theory, were thirteen points clear of Arsenal and looked set to strengthen their hold on third place and the Champions League qualification that meant so much to the club and had been the number one priority for Harry Redknapp throughout the season. Within nine minutes that had crumbled as Arsenal drew level and Spurs had no second half response as the home team went on to score three more goals. The gap between third and fourth was now down to seven points.

Still, there was no decision regarding the England appointment as the Football Association made the apparently sensible option of delaying any announcement until nearer the end of the season to avoid unnecessary disruption at any club. Stuart Pearce took the role on a temporary basis for the friendly against Holland. Redknapp, however, was still regarded as favourite.

March, 2012:
Spurs went through the month without a Premier League win, losing at home to Manchester United, at Everton and drawing with Stoke City and at Chelsea. In fact the home draw with Stoke saw them drop to fourth, a point behind their near neighbours. Spurs' slump in form took them into a battle for fourth place when in mid-January they had been considered title contenders, only three points behind leaders Manchester City and level with United.

The FA Cup now acquired greater significance for Redknapp as he sought silverware to bring to the club. Previously, he had always regarded the Cup competitions as a distraction and often fielded under-strength teams. Stuttering progress was made to the semi-finals where Chelsea awaited.

The England position still remained on the cards with only passing mention of any other possible candidates, Roy Hodgson, in the media. It still appeared to be Redknapp's with Tottenham making contingency plans for his departure.

1st April:
Spurs ended their run of defeats with success over Swansea at home - perhaps the team had turned the corner.

7th April:
Arsenal's defeat to QPR the previous weekend had given Spurs a lifeline and they briefly returned to third with a goalless draw at Sunderland but it was a particularly uninspiring performance as they were unable to break down the home side who had been set up to defend in depth and were content with a point from the outset. It was a return to the days when Spurs simply ran out of ideas against a well organised, defensive orientated team. The rumblings of discontent among fans were growing as they despaired at the team's loss of form and the manager's inability to turn it around and then Arsenal defeat Manchester City to reclaim fourth - nothing was going in Spurs' favour at this time.

9th April:
A home defeat to Norwich added to the general gloom around White Hart Lane - these sort of results happen to every team during a season but Spurs were totally outplayed by the visitors who deservedly took the three points. Frustrations were increasing among fans with many venting their anger against the manager on message boards. There was talk of players' meetings to try to sort out the problems and talk of their dissatisfaction with training routines, at lack of preparation and tactics.

15th April:
Another semi-final loss in the FA Cup, another 2 - 5 defeat as Spurs again crumbled to Chelsea who admittedly were aided by the referee's decision to award them the second crucial goal just after half time when the ball hadn't crossed the line. The team that had been lauded earlier in the season for playing the best football since the 'Double' team were a pale shadow for their former selves. Fans' dissatisfaction was growing by the day.

21st April:
Spurs had been provided with another opportunity to close the gap on third as Arsenal lost to Wigan Athletic and then drew with Chelsea but they dropped to fifth after a single goal defeat against relegation threatened QPR as Newcastle United moved above them. It was another poor performance and left fans infuriated at the use of Gareth Bale on the right and Aaron Lennon on the left. It again led to cries of " Gareth Bale - He plays on the left" and "Aaron Lennon - He plays on the right".

Even at this stage the press was still predicting that Redknapp would soon be announced as the next England manager.

1st May:
The Football Association announced that Roy Hodgson had been given a four year contract as England manager and that he had been their preferred candidate and the only person who had been interviewed. Redknapp accepted the news graciously, as always, but must have felt great disappointment as he knew it was his last opportunity to manage his country, a position he had set his heart on.

Tottenham had been resigned to losing him and some had suggested, even before the FA's announcement, that regardless of what happened over the England position that Redknapp would be leaving Spurs in the summer. Spurs' season had taken a dramatic turn as soon as the departure of Fabio Capello was announced with many feeling that the constant media questions about England had been a distraction for Redknapp.

With four matches to go Spurs needed maximum points to have any chance of playing Champions League football next season. They defeated Blackburnn Rovers at the end of April and the win over Bolton Wanderers was a display more akin to their early season form. They then needed to win at Villa Park, their fourth successive match against a team concerned about possible relegation.

6th May:
A win would see Spurs move into third with a Champions League place in their own hands. Spurs were the better team but Aston Villa defended as if their Premier League lives depended on it, which they did. in a rare home attack, Villa went ahead when a shot deflected off William Gallas and looped over Brad Friedel. A goal down at half-time, Spurs then went down to ten men when Danny Rose was sent off. They regrouped to equalise with just under half and hour remaining but Redknapp appeared indecisive on the touchline, looking to bring on Jermain Defoe, then deciding against it and once he knew that Newcastle had lost, he appeared to settle for a point, leaving Spurs dependent on other results going in their favour on the last day of the season. Redknapp's acceptance of a draw against a poor Villa team seemed a very negative approach at such a crucial part of the season, when many other managers would have gone all out for the three points.

13th May:
Spurs won their final match against Fulham but Arsenal defeated Roy Hodgson's West Bromwich, courtesy of two goals gifted by former Tottenham goalkeeper, Marton Fulop. Arsenal claimed third and for this season fourth did not guarantee Spurs Champions League football due to Chelsea's late season revival taking them to the final of this season's competition.

19th May:
Bayern Munich conceded a late equaliser, missed an extra time penalty and as Didier Drogba scored the crucial penalty in the shoot-out Chelsea claimed England's fourth Champions League place as holders, demoting Spurs to the Europa League, a competition for which Redknapp showed such disdain that he consistently sent out weakened teams and regularly talked it down in the press.

Spurs' season which at it's mid-point had the potential to become of the most memorable in recent times, had tailed off alarmingly and disappointingly. Redknapp appeared to have lost the support of a section of supporters, there had been talk of disquiet among the players and the Board seemed less than enthusiastic about extending his contract.

For some time, Daniel Levy had been in America due to family commitments and there seemed to be little news coming out of White Hart Lane. There were matters to be decided over current and potential players and Harry Redknapp's contract which had only one year to run. It was thought that he had been offered a rolling contract but that didn't satisfy his needs and there were rumours that Chelsea were interested in taking him as manager ahead of Roberto Di Matteo.

June, 2012:
On the day of the funeral of Daniel Levy's mother, Harry Redknapp made media comments about the need for Tottenham to sort out his contract. He raised the issue of the uncertainty for the players next season, knowing that the manager was in the last year of his contract having previously stated that the speculation over the England position had no effect on players, 'They don't care who's manager'.

10th June:
For the first time, a story appeared in the press that all was not well at Tottenham concerning the manager's contract and the uneasy relationship between manager and Chairman. Discussions were due to take place and if not resolved could lead to Redknapp leaving the club.

12th June:
Following rumours circulating on Twitter that Harry Redknapp had resigned, Redknapp, himself, came out and made a very strong denial that he had resigned having a year to run on his contract, describing such comments as 'scandalous'.

13th June:
The meeting between Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy did not reach agreement over the contract and news broke that the manager would be leaving Tottenham after three and a half years as manager.

14th June:
Tottenham issued a statement on their website at 3.37am to confirm what everyone already knew by announcing that Harry Redknapp would be leaving his post as manager of Tottenham Hotspur.

Many Spurs supporters were not surprised at the developments, aware that it had been a possibility for some time. In the wider football world there was shock that a manager who had twice taken Spurs to fourth in three seasons had been removed.

A few hours later, Roy Hodgson who had beaten Redknapp to the England post and whose team's defeat in the final match of the season had seen Spurs miss out on Champions League football, spoke of his disappointment that Redknapp had departed Tottenham.

In four short months, Redknapp had gone from potential England manager, a position he openly craved, to an unemployed manager albeit with a handsome severance package to soften the blow. The only question that remains is, Will Harry be back in football before or after Tottenham appoint his replacement? Only time will tell.

Harry Redknapp Leaves Tottenham

2012-06-14T09:45:00.000+01:00

In the early hours of the morning of 14th June, 2012, Tottenham Hotspur made this official announcement on the departure of Harry Redknapp:

The Club can today announce that Harry Redknapp will be leaving his post as manager.

Chairman Daniel Levy commented, "This is not a decision the Board and I have taken lightly. Harry arrived at the Club at a time when his experience and approach was exactly what was needed. This decision in no way detracts from the excellent work Harry has done during his time with the Club and I should like to thank him for his achievements and contribution. Harry will always be welcome at the Lane."

Harry said, "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Spurs and am proud of my achievements. I have had a fantastic four years with the Club, at times the football has been breathtaking. I am sad to be leaving but wish to thank the players, staff and fans for their terrific support during my time there."

After weeks of speculation and two days of intense rumours, the decision has been taken and Harry Redknapp has left his position as manager of Spurs after three and a half years.

Harry Redknapp was a surprise appointment in October, 2008 when Juande Ramos' team was entrenched at the foot of the Premier League table with 'two points from eight games.' Within hours of his appointment Redknapp oversaw Tottenham's first League win of the season as they defeated Bolton Wanderers at White Hart Lane, although Clive Allen was in charge, and then took Spurs to the Emirates for his first game. Spurs gained a point in a thrilling 4 - 4 draw, coming back to score twice in added time. His next match was at home to undefeated League leaders Liverpool, and again two late goals saw Tottenham record a 2 - 1 success.

By the end of the season Spurs had climbed the table to eighth and had a Carling Cup Final appearance on their record, losing on penalties to Manchester United.

The following season Spurs had the perfect start, winning their first four matches. They stayed in and around the top four throughout the campaign and were assured of Champions League qualification when defeating Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the penultimate match of the season. They also reached the FA Cup semi-final but lost out to relegated Portsmouth at Wembley.

Season 2010 - 11 was memorable for the Champions League campaign which saw Spurs reach the quarter finals with some exhilarating football, including a memorable evening at White Hart Lane when Spurs totally outplayed, the European Champions, Inter Milan, as Gareth Bale confirmed his place on the world stage in a famous victory. Spurs finished fifth but missed out on Champions League qualification after a poor run from February to May.

Last season was one of great highs but which ultimately ended in disappointment. Spurs recovered from a poor start to record an undefeated run of eleven matches from September to December and were in a position to challenge for the title in mid-January, three points behind Manchester City. Harry Redknapp overcame heart surgery and was cleared of tax evasion in court and became the media's favourite for the England manager's position following the departure of Fabio Capello in mid-February.

It was at this point that Spurs went on an unexplainable run of disappointing results which saw them lose a ten point lead on their rivals for third place in the Premier League. They did progress to the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Chelsea but lost heavily after Chelsea were awarded a second goal which hadn't crossed the line. Following the Football Association's delayed announcement that Roy Hodgson wa sth enew England manager, Spurs made a mini-recovery to finish fourth but as a result of Chelsea's Champions league triumph the club missed out on next season's competition and were relegated to the Europa League.

With the club looking to move forward with the development of a new stadium, missing out on the Champions League, even in such unfortunate circumstances, was a massive blow to their financial position and the retention and recruitment of players became more difficult.

Rumours had been circulating that indicated that everything was not well at White Hart Lane and over the past two days it came to a head as Redknapp strongly denied suggestions on Twitter that he had resigned but then within twenty four hours his meeting with Chairman, Daniel Levy, ended with the club's announcement on his departure.

Harry Redknapp has brought good times to White Hart Lane during his three and a half years - something that many younger supporters have never experienced. There have been many exciting performances which will live long in the memory of supporters but his time at Tottenham has come to a sudden and dramatic end with the slump coinciding with all the hype surrounding the England's manager's position taking its toll.

Now that the decision has been made, the difficult part remains - to find a successor who can improve on Redknapp's record and make the club a fixture in the Champions League year after year while contending for trophies - no easy task.

Thanks Harry - it was good while it lasted and sad that it ended so soon after Spurs were being considered as title challengers for the first time in decades.

If Harry were to Go, Why Moyes?

2012-06-13T19:04:00.001+01:00

So much for a quiet summer without spending time blogging about Spurs. There are obvious tensions at White Hart Lane between Chairman, Daniel Levy, and manager, Harry Redknapp. If Harry were to go, why is David Moyes favourite to take over?

That Harry Redknapp had to come out so strongly last night and deny Twitter rumours that he had resigned as manager of Spurs, clearly indicates that all is not well at White Hart Lane. There have been rumblings for some months on messageboards that Redknapp would be going this summer, whether or not he was appointed as England manager.

From February and the departure of Fabio Capello, it looked as if Redknapp would be moving on to take over as the next England boss. It had been obvious for some time that Harry Redknapp wanted the position, he was the overwhelming favourite with the media, he had the backing from England players, he seemed to have considerable support among the fans and he appeared to be the choice of the Football Association.

The delay in making the appointment, while appearing to be a sensible decision at the time, became problematic for Tottenham as their form slumped and their position of a guaranteed Champions League spot slipped until it became a battle for fourth which with Chelsea's progress to the Champions League Final didn't guarantee qualification next season. However, even in the week before the FA's announcement that Roy Hodgson was the new England manager, Redknapp's name was being touted in the press as the 'appointed one'.

After the decision had been made, Spurs' form improved and they did take fourth which in every other season has ensured Champions League qualification, but this time because of Chelsea's success Spurs were relegated to the Europa League. Spurs had not achieved their objective for the season in unexpected and unfortunate circumstances.

Since then there has been speculation over players for next season and even over the manager's position. Yesterday's outburst from Redknapp clearly shows he is under pressure ahead of his meeting with Daniel Levy. It is suggested that Redknapp is not to be offered an extension of his contract but of course, he won't resign - he has a year left on his contract - and if he were to go, it would only be if Levy gives him the push with payment of the appropriate compensation.

Today's meeting will be critical to the future of Tottenham and the team and the situation that has arisen may explain the delay in the completion of the signing of the Belgian international defender, Jan Vertonghen, from Ajax.

With the speculation of Redknapp's imminent departure growing, there has been much musing about a possible replacement. One of the favourites appears to be David Moyes from Everton. He has done a very credible work at Goodison Park during his ten years as manager but could he do better at Tottenham than Harry Redknapp?

Moyes has the experience of the Premier League and appears to have developed a good team spirit in his squad of players from limited resources at Everton. His ability to use transfer resources wisely may be a plus in the eyes of the Spurs chairman but how does his record and style of play compare with Harry Redknapp's.

Premier League
In three complete seasons at White Hart Lane, Spurs have finished fourth, fifth and fourth. In ten seasons at Goodison Park, Everton have finished fourth once in 2005. Other top half finishes include 5th twice, sixth, seventh (x 3) and eighth. Last year, Everton's season was the reverse of Tottenham's - they started poorly but finished strongly to rise to seventh. In January after the clubs played their 'opening day' fixture who would have considered Moyes as manager ahead of Redknapp, Spurs were third and had 45 points while Everton were eleventh with 24 points.

'The Tottenham Way'
Spurs' managers are expected to send out their teams to play in a certain way with stylish attacking football and Harry Redknapp achieved that more often than many recent managers. David Moyes' teams come with a reputation for being well organised and hard working, able at times to grind out a result. Will that be enough for Spurs' supporters?

FA Cup
Spurs have failed in two FA Cup semi-finals under Harry Redknapp but Everton haven't been much more successful under Moyes. They lost in the Final in 2009 and were losing semi-finalists this season. Having said that Everton finished the season strongly, they were still unable to overcome an unconvincing Liverpool at Wembley in April.

Champions League
Both clubs have qualified for the competition once although Everton were more fortunate than Spurs, as they were able to compete having finished fourth even though Liverpool won the competition having finished outside the top four in the Premier League. It was the change to the rules after this that denied Spurs their second opportunity to play against Europe's elite next season. Everton's sojourn in the competition was short lived as they failed to reach the group stages while Harry Redknapp took Spurs to the quarter finals in an exciting European journey.

There is always the perception that a new manager can take the club to the next level but can David Moyes do any better that Harry Redknapp? The current manager, like all managers, has his faults - he is an old-style manager with a reputation for man-management and the ability to motivate players. This, however, has not been sufficient to lift Spurs in the past two seasons when they slipped from a position of strength at the end of February. Spurs have continued to fail when faced with the top clubs in the Premier League and to make that crucial step to be a consistent top side, Spurs need to overcome that problem, whatever the cause. A freshening up of training methods and a greater attention to detail and tactics could benefit Hartry Redknapp's team but whether it will happen with Spurs is in the balance at present.

Spurs v Co. Armagh (Milk Cup 2012)

2012-06-12T19:02:00.001+01:00

An article from the local Portadown Times (1st June) about Spurs playing County Armagh at Shamrock Park in the NI Milk Cup 2012 on Saturday, 21st July.

Spurs Set to Tackle Cream of the County

EUROPEAN football will take centre-stage at Shamrock Park next month with Portadown playing host to Tottenham Hotspur and CSKA Moscow.

Shamrock Park, Portadown

The Ports – alongside Craigavon and Armagh and City District council officials – have secured the Brownstown Road ground as a venue for Milk Cup group games on Saturday, July 21.
County Armagh under 14s will face CSKA Moscow, with the area’s Premier side then set to take on Tottenham Hotspur.

This summer marks the 30th anniversary of the Milk Cup tournament, with organisers opting to allow county sides to kick off the youth competition at home venues as part of the celebrations.
Ronnie Stinson, Portadown’s director of football, considers the appearance of the Orchard County’s two leading teenage squads as another link between the town club and youth development.

“Over the past year we have really worked hard at pushing on our development strategy by implementing the Academy coaching programme, establishing connections with Falkirk and strengthening existing links with the Portadown Youth club,” said Stinson. “In keeping with that commitment to aiding youth development in the area, we are delighted to welcome the two County Armagh squads.

“Tottenham Hotspur and CSKA Moscow should attract plenty of football fans given the rich history both clubs enjoy.

“However, it is also a great opportunity for supporters to get a look at some of the most promising players in the borough.

“Our extensive ground redevelopments were implemented to help Shamrock Park become a greater focal point for the community and certainly we are delighted to have a connection to this year’s anniversary Milk Cup.”

Both visiting squads will stay in The Armagh City Hotel on Friday, July 20 before heading over to Shamrock Park for the opening group fixtures.

“What a draw,” said the Mayor of Craigavon, Councillor Alan Carson. “It’s really good news for the borough that we have these teams playing here.

“I hope that as many people as possible will support these young players and give them the credit they deserve on July 21.”

The Milk Cup link also presents the perfect platform from which to promote the area.
“This is another opportunity to showcase Portadown’s first-class facilities at Shamrock Park,” said Craigavon Borough Council’s chair of leisure services, Alderman Meta Crozier. “It’s a great opportunity that Armagh’s junior and premier sides can play their first matches in front of large home crowds.”

The Armagh teenagers will also face County Tyrone and Desportivo Brazil in the Premier group stages. In the Junior group, the boys meet Watford and County Tyrone.

Tottenham Legends

2012-06-12T14:06:00.000+01:00

The term 'Legend' is sometimes used very loosely and generously where former players are concerned but these three are true Tottenham Hotspur 'Legends' who served the club loyally over many years and enjoyed great success during their time at White Hart Lane.

Dave Mackay

Yesterday, the official Tottenham Hotspur site reported that Dave Mackay had been taken into hospital in Nottingham on Saturday with a chest infection. Every Spurs fan will wish him a speedy recovery and hope that he will soon be home again.

Signed from Hearts in 1958, Mackay became a vital member of the 1960s Double winning team. He also played in the 1962 FA Cup Final but missed out in the ECWC Final through injury. After twice recovering from breaking his leg, he captained the 1967 FA Cup winning team. He made 268 League appearances for Spurs.

Up-date (16th June):

(from the Official Site)

The Club is pleased to report that our legendary former midfielder Dave Mackay has now left hospital.

The double-winner who made over 300 appearances for us between 1958-68 and lifted the FA Cup as captain in 1967 was admitted to hospital in Nottingham last weekend with a chest infection.

We send our best wishes to Dave and his family.
Steve Perryman

There is good news that Steve Perryman has been released from hospital and is making a steady recovery following his heart surgery at the beginning of May. It's good to know that he is making progress and everyone would once again want to wish Steve a continued speedy recovery.

Steve holds the record for appearances for the club from his debut in 1969 to his departure in 1986. He won the League Cup twice and the UEFA Cup in the 1970s and then captained the FA Cup winning team in 1981 and 1982. He was part of the UEFA Cup winning team in 1984 but missed out in the final due to suspension. He later returned to White Hart Lane as assistant manager to Ossie Ardiles.

Pat Jennings

On this day, 12th June, 1945 the greatest ever Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper was born in Newry, Northern Ireland. Signed from Watford in 1964, Jennings made 472 League appearances for the club and won the FA Cup in 1967, the League Cup in 1971 and 1973 and the 1972 UEFA Cup.

Happy 67th Birthday, Pat and we wish you many more.

Jennings Signed from Watford: here

Pat Jennings to be Honoured by UEFA: here

Spurs' Opponents in NI Milk Cup 2012

2012-05-25T16:07:00.001+01:00

The draw fro the NI Milk Cup was made today at the BBC Blackstaff studio in Belfast. Spurs are playing in the Premier Section which has twenty teams and is a competition which they have won twice and in which they finished fifth last year.

The NI Milk Cup commences on Saturday, 21st July and today the draw was made for the first three matches. The tournament is in its thirtieth year and was described as 'the premier youth tournament in Europe" by local commentator, Jackie Fullerton. Among the special guests at today's draw was Michael O'Neill, the Northern Ireland manager, and two internationals who have played in the competition in their earlier days, Corry Evans of Hull City and Andy Little of Rangers. A South American delegate from FIFA was also present, Harold Mayne-Nicholls from Chile. He spoke of the quality of the tournament making it easy to attract South American teams to the competition. The Chairman of the Dairy Council Northern Ireland, the main sponsor of the tournament for many years, referred to the NI Milk Cup as "one of the best youth tournaments in the world".

Premier Section:
Spurs are playing in the Premier Section for players born on or after 1st January, 1995.
The twenty teams taking part are:

The six local County teams: Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Antrim, Tyrone and Londonderry.

Otago (New Zealand), South Coast Strikers (USA), Revo Express (Norway), Pachuca (Mexico), Desportivo Brazil, Ichfuna (Japan), CSKA Moscow, Bolton Wanderers, Benfica (Portugal), Etoile Lusitana (Senegal), Cherry Orchard (Republic of Ireland), Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Spurs' Premier Section Fixtures:

Saturday, 21st July, 2012: v County Armagh (venue: Shamrock Park, Portadown)

KO: 2pm (probably)

This year the six local County teams are playing their first game at a venue in their own county before the tournament returns on the Monday to its traditional North coast venues. This was first done to mark the twenty first anniversary of the competition and is being repeated this year to mark its thirtieth anniversary.

Monday, 23rd July, 2012: v South Coast Strikers (USA) (Evening KO)

Tuesday, 24th July, 2012: v Otago (NZ) (Evening KO)

(The venues for these two games will be announced later)

Spurs' Opponents:

County Armagh

Spurs have played a local County team in their last two Milk Cup tournaments. The local sides usually give a good account of themselves. In 2010, they defeated Londonderry by four goals to nil in their opening match and had a more difficult game than the score suggests. Last year it was Fermanagh who gave them a difficult match. Spurs were a goal down at half-time and only two goals from Kenneth McEvoy in the last ten minutes earned Spurs the points.

South Coast Strikers (USA)

Spurs played South Coast Strikers from California twice last year. They met in the third match of the tournament and the 1-2 defeat suffered by Spurs denied them the opportunity to play in the play-offs for 1st - 4th. They were a strong, well organised team and took an early lead last year. Spurs fought back to draw level but after much pressure from Spurs, SCS scored late on the win the match.

The teams then met in the play-off for 5th and 6th place with Spurs winning a penalty shoot-out after a 1 - 1 draw.

Otago (NZ)

Spurs played Otaga in the opening match of last year's competition and won 4 - 0. Dominic Ball who has Northern Ireland family connections, scored twice for Spurs who made an impressive start to the competition.

Following the opening three matches the places determine the play-off spots (1st - 4th/5th - 8th etc)

Spurs to Play in Milk Cup 2012: Report

Spurs at the Milk Cup in 2011: Report

Spurs at the Milk Cup 2010: Report

Spurs' Season Ends in Europa League

2012-05-24T20:27:00.000+01:00

Late on Saturday evening, 19th May, the protracted finale to Spurs' season drew to a close when Didier Drogba scored the winning penalty in the Champions League Final shoot-out and so condemned Spurs to the 'third' class European experience of next season's Europa League.

Since the closing day of the previous season it has been a roller-coaster of an existence for Tottenham Hotspur, with many ups and downs and unexpected twists along the way.

'Luka Modric Saga'
Tottenham fans spent last summer fed on a diet of speculation and media rumour of the imminent departure of midfielder, Luka Modric, with Chelsea regularly offering increased bids for his services. Daniel Levy was playing 'hard ball' and refusing to negotiate, insisting that Modric would be remaining at White Hart Lane, but we'd all heard that before.

Poor Start to the season
Spurs made a late start to the season due to the postponement of their first match against Everton because of the riots in London and the damage that had been done in Tottenham. Then, with their only new signing, Brad Friedel making his debut at Old Trafford, the two Manchester clubs swept Spurs aside with Friedel conceding eight goals in those opening games. Meanwhile, Spurs had progressed to the Group stages of the Europa League which the manager regarded as an unnecessary obstacle to his main aim of achieving Champions League qualification.

WWWWDWWWWWW
On the resumption of the season after the international break, Spurs had strengthened their squad with the acquisition of two late signings, Scott Parker from West Ham United and Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Manchester City while retaining the services of Modric. The debutants immediately had an impressive influence on the team who won at Molineux with Adebayor scoring his first goal. That was the start of an eleven match undefeated run in the League, as Spurs climbed to third place in late November with a comfortable home win over Aston Villa. Spurs produced many outstanding performances in that sequence with a four goal success over Liverpool at White Hart Lane, fighting performances at Fulham and West Bromwich where they came from a goal down to win in the Midlands. Many of the home wins were comfortable with Spurs settling for two or three goals when with clinical finishing they could have boosted their goal tally. The triumph over Arsenal was particularly special for Kyle Walker who impressed in his first full season in the team with his attacking prowess and his shot from twenty five yards proved to be the winner, his first for Spurs.

A late equaliser by Newcastle at St James' Park was the only blemish on the perfect record but at the time the Geordies were unbeaten in the League. Through this time, to rest his first team players, Harry Redknapp had used squad players and young professionals in the Carling Cup and Europa League. They acquitted themselves well but lost in a penalty shoot-out at Stoke in the Carling Cup after a goalless two hours. At the half-way stage of the Europa League, Spurs headed their group.

Stoke City
Spurs' undefeated run came to an unexpected and abrupt end at the Brittania Stadium when a poor first half defensive display enabled Stoke to take a two goal lead. Any chance of a Spurs recovery in the second half was thwarted by an inept display of refereeing by Chris Foy and his assistants. They disallowed a good goal scored by Adebayor, ignored a number of genuine penalty appeals and gave Stoke the freedom to employ rough-house tactics to deny Spurs at set-pieces. As one report at the time said, 'the Stoke defenders, having conceded one penalty, felt able to employ such tactics, secure in the belief that the referee wouldn't award Spurs another penalty.'

Early Europa League Exit
Two consecutive defeats, in Russia against Ruban Kazan while Harry Redknapp was absent, recovering from heart surgery, and at home to PAOK Salonika, left Spurs reliant on a favourable result in Greece while they had to defeat Shamrock Rovers by five goals in the final game. Spurs scored four with Harry Kane scoring his first senior goal but exited the tournament before Christmas, allowing Redknapp and his team to concentrate on their goal of Champions League football.

Title Contenders
Spurs recovered from their Stoke set-back with a hard earned home win over Sunderland when substitute, Roman Pavlyuchenko, came off the bench to score the winner, which would prove to be his last League goal for Tottenham, ahead of a January transfer. Mixed results and performances over the holiday period resulted in a home draw with Chelsea when Spurs scored early but then allowed the visitors back into the game. Having said that, Adebayor had another goal ruled out incorrectly and it took a goal-line clearance by John Terry in the final moments to preserve the visitors' point.

An outstanding display at Norwich where Gareth Bale scored twice having been given a freer role in the team was followed by a point at Swansea when the home team scored a late equaliser. Then followed a sequence of four consecutive home League and Cup matches in early January. Roy Hodgson's defensively minded West Brom, Cheltenham in the FA Cup and Everton all left White Hart Lane defeated.

The win over Everton took Spurs level on points with Manchester United and only three behind the leaders, Manchester City, and with a gap of eight points to Chelsea in fourth with Arsenal a further point behind. Newspaper and media talk was of Tottenham as 'title contenders', not something many Spurs fans have experienced in recent times.

Football Can be So Cruel
The 'title contenders' tag didn't sit easily with Spurs and was very short lived as Wolves took a point from them at the Lane in the next game with a goal scored from a corner that should not have been awarded and then benefited as Adebayor had a third goal disallowed for offside when he was clearly on-side.

The next game took Spurs to the Etihad Stadium and after conceding two goals in three minutes in the second half, immediately recovered to score twice in five minutes, with all the goals coming in a nine minute spell. Spurs were finishing the stronger and had the opportunity to score a winner in added time but Jermain Defoe, just failed to get proper contact on Bale's cross. City then scored from a penalty to deprive Spurs of even one point. It was after this match that I received a text saying, 'Football can be so cruel' and over the next few months that statement proved to be very true from a Spurs' perspective.

The Monday following that game, Harry Redknapp's court case commenced, so reports about Spurs appeared on both the back and front pages of the papers. Spurs managed to progress to the 5th Round of the FA Cup with an unimpressive win at Watford and then defeated bottom club Wigan at White Hart Lane. Redknapp had to make a quick journey from court to the ground to attend both matches but at the Wigan game, the supporters showed tremendous support for their manager. The transfer window closed with Spurs acquiring Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen, while Pavlyuvchenko was sold and Corluka, Pienaar and Townsend going out on loan. A weakened team drew at Liverpool while Redknapp was in London but after a great defensive performance, in the final minutes, Spurs had the best chance of the game to take the three points.

The innocent verdict was announced and a few hours later Redknapp became the focus of morer media headlines - 'Redknapp to Manage England' - as the Football Association and Fabio Capello parted company. Redknapp was the overwhelming favourite of the popular press and it appeared to be only a matter of time before he would be approached. In an amazing performance against Newcastle United, Emmanuel Adebayor created four goals and scored himself as the supporters again backed Redknapp. Spurs were on a high and had opened a ten point gap on Chelsea and Arsenal. It seemed that the departure of Redknapp to manage England might be the only blot on the landscape.

After struggling at Stevenage in the Cup, Spurs went to the Emirates and were two up after thirty four minutes which would have put them thirteen points ahead of their neighbours if they had maintained that result. Arsenal, however, scored twice in three minutes before half-time and Spurs never recovered, conceding another three in the second half.

A home defeat to Manchester United followed and Spurs apparently secure hold on third place in the League was slipping. A defeat at Everton and a home draw with Stoke meant they dropped to fourth and in the nine matches after defeating Newcastle, they only picked up six points with the defeat at QPR seeing them in fifth place. Through this two month period, while progressing in the Cup to the semi-finals, the team managed only one win against Swansea but for the rest of the time there was no-one, either player or management who was capable of inspiring and lifting them from this decline. Prior to the loss at Loftus Road, they lost heavily to Chelsea at Wembley and suffered another refereeing injustice when a 'phantom' goal, was awarded to give Chelsea a two goal advantage, when the ball clearly did not cross the line.

Late Revival - too little too late
Spurs had several opportunities to take advantage when other teams slipped up but didn't capitalise on them so with four games to play, they needed four wins to have any chance of making the Champions League. There was the additional complication that if Chelsea were to win the trophy, then fourth place would not be sufficient to make the competition next season.

At the beginning of May, as England appointed Roy Hodgson, and not Harry Redknapp, as manager, Spurs managed to record wins over soon to be relegated Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers raising the glimmer of a possibility that they could finish third. A draw at Aston Villa, however, took it out of their hands and Spurs became reliant on results elsewhere going in their favour. While Spurs defeated Fulham in the final match of the season, Arsenal also won, be it in fortunate circumstances, courtesy of goalkeeping errors, to claim third and an automatic Champions League place. Then it was all down to the outcome of the Champions League Final and once again Spurs were at the wrong end of the result with Chelsea's penalty shoot out victory guaranteeing them the final place in next season's competition.

In what was a season with many memorable moments and performances from Spurs, especially in the first half of the season and against Newcastle United, in the end the loss of firm from February on, during the time of the England manager's vacancy, meant that it ended in disappointment and frustration that they had failed to achieve their primary objective - Champions League football.

It was another of those Spurs 'nearly' seasons - when it almost came good but at the finish they just fell short. Spurs had everything in their own hands but threw it away due to an inexplicable loss of form while other extenuating circumstances beyond their control also played their part - refereeing mistakes, the England manager's situation, Harry Redknapp's court case and the failure to strengthen the team in the January transfer period. All influenced the outcome of the season and Spurs' decline.

Spurs, however, have finished in fourth and a few seasons ago supporters would have been delighted. It shows how expectations under Redknapp have increased that there is disappointment in the outcome of the season.

A memorable season for Spurs that had the potential to be truly great and, unfortunately, will probably be remembered for the way in which Spurs lost their Champions League place and the other dramas which befell their season rather than for the splendid football they played during the early months.

Some clubs would use such disappointments as motivation to move on and do better in the future. The question is, 'Will Spurs?'

On This Day in 1984 - UEFA Cup Win

2012-05-23T18:16:00.000+01:00

UEFA Cup Success - Tony Parks, the Super Hero
23rd May, 1984 v Anderlecht [UEFA Cup Final (2nd Leg)] Draw 1 - 1

1984 UEFA Cup Winners

Coming to the game all square at 1 - 1 after the away leg Spurs found themselves a goal down and it took an equaliser from stand-in captain Graham Robers to take the game to extra time and penalties. Roberts led by example scoring the first penalty and Tony Parks saved the first Anderlecht penalty. Mark Falco, Gary Stevens and Steve Archibald all scored as did the Anderlecht players. At 4-3 in Spurs' favour, Danny Thomas saw his shot saved. The next man for Anderlecht was Arnor Gudjohnsen, father of Eidur, who had replaced Frank Arnesen. Parks dived to his right to save and then set off in celebration around White Hart Lane.

In what was Keith Burkinshaw's last game as manager, Tottenham were without Captain, Steve Perryman, suspended, Glenn Hoddle, injured, while Ossie Ardiles was only able to play a bit part due to injury.

Team: Parks; Thomas, Roberts, Miller (Ardiles), Hughton; Hazard, Mabbutt (Dick), Stevens, Galvin; Falco, Archibald

Spurs at NI Milk Cup 2010

2012-05-16T19:24:00.002+01:00

Tottenham Academy (Under-17) Squad:

1 Reece Samuels 2 Kevin Stewart 3 Daniel Day 4 Ronnie Hawkins 5 James Yeboah 6 Ramil Sheriff 7 Laste Dombaxe 8 Freddy Champion 9 Alasan Ann 10 Lee Angol 11 Kenneth McEvoy 12 Luke McGee 13 Thomas Gardiner 14 Janoi Donacien 15 Samuel Smith 16 Victor Zapata Caicedo 17 Oliver Modeste 18 Alexander McQueen

The opening match was played at the Limavady Showgrounds on the Monday evening.

Tottenham 4 Co. Londonderry 0

Spurs played well and won comfortably against a committed Co Londonderry youth team who were dangerous on the break when they got the opportunity to run at the Spurs defence.

Both teams started brightly with Spurs looking dangerous on the right with Kenneth McEvoy showing speed and a good touch. After initial pressure from Spurs, Co. Londonderry showed they were going to make a game of it and Thomas Gardiner tipped over a long range shot. Both teams had a number of corners and after twenty minutes Spurs went ahead with a goal from captain, Laste Dombaxe, with a fine shot from 20 yards which the goalkeeper got a hand to.

Spurs played a constructive, patient, passing game - playing the ball out from the back in an effort to create an opening and never resorted to thumping the ball down the pitch.

A good crowd enjoyed the game and there were many Spurs supporters present.

1-0 at half time Spurs started very quickly at the start of the second half and almost scored with an attack down the right but they were not to be denied as two minutes later, Ronnie Hawkins who controlled the centre of midfield picked up the ball and shot from 30 yards. At first it looked as if the goalkeeper had pushed the ball away but it dropped into the net.

Derry continued to show endeavour and made some changes to their team with the new strikers giving the Spurs defenders something to think about but Spurs were always comfortably in control, the only danger came from over confidence in passing out of defence and the possibility of giving the ball away in a dangerous position as the Derry players closed them down quickly.

A third goal came from Lee Angol after Spurs worked the ball forward with pace and the fourth near the end came from a header from a corner, scored by substitute, James Yeboah.

Near the end Gardiner made a good save to keep a clean sheet.

A very enjoyable match, the first time I've seen a Spurs youth team.

Tuesday at Riada Stadium, Ballymoney

Tottenham Hotspur 1 KV Mechelen 0
Team: Thomas Gardiner; Ramil Sheriff, James Yeboah, Janoi Donacien, Daniel Day: Laste Dombaxe, Kevin Stewart, Ronnie Hawkins, Freddy Champion, Lee Angol; Victor Zapata Caicedo.

Kenneth McEvoy who started the first game didn't feature tonight while Alasan Ann came on as a striker in the 2nd half and brought some more pace to the team. Samuel Smith replaced Hawkins, Oliver Modeste replaced Yeboah and Luke McGee replaced Sheriff.

A much more difficult game against much stronger opposition. The Belgian team started much the better and had an early chance from a free kick but the header went past the far post. Spurs were finding it difficult to play their short passing game as the opposition immediately closed them down and stepped in to take the ball away from the Spurs player and then move forward with pace. Spurs had another let off when a mistake in central defence gave away the ball but under pressure from the defender and goalkeeper the Belgian striker shot against the post. Thomas Gardiner in goal dealt comfortably with everything that came his way and he threw the ball out quickly to his defenders to start off another Spurs move. Playing into a light breeze, Spurs found it difficult to make a telling final pass as the ball often fell behind the intended player.

However, it was only late in the half that Spurs started to get a little more room and Laste Dombaxe, Spurs best player, forced a good save from their goalkeeper. From a corner Freddy Champion injured his ankle as he fell and although he played on for the final few minutes, he was replaced at half-time by Alexander McQueen.

Spurs were much better in the second half and played the ball much more quickly to create space and also played some longer cross field passes to open up their opponents. Lambaxe hit the post with a good shot and Ronnie Hawkins forced the keeper to push over another long range shot.

Midway through the half a clumsy tackle on Dombaxe saw Spurs gain a penalty which the captain took himself and coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and shot strongly to his right.

The final minutes required stout defending with no quarter given by either side and tackles flying in as the Belgians tried to rescue the game. Gardiner marshalled his defence well - he made a good save, pushing over a strong drive and Spurs saw out the final minutes without any real scares.

Spurs captain Laste Dombaxe is obviously their best player - creating and working in midfield while looking to get forward to strike at goal. He was booked in the first half for a challenge on the goalkeeper - the ball was free when he tried to play it but made contact with the goalkeeper's hand. He is so involved that he receives harsh treatment from the opposition but isn't afraid to tackle either. Were he to receive another yellow card, Spurs would miss him greatly. Yeboah was comfortable in defence and Gardiner was always comfortable without having to make any very difficult saves.

Wednesday: A Q/F game at Limavady Showgrounds.

Tottenham 1 Donegal Schools 2

Spurs put out a changed team, resting Laste Dombaxe who has been the main player in the past two games and Daniel Day. They found it difficult to make progress against a very direct team who put Spurs under pressure as soon as they received the ball and forced them into errors. It was from a mistake that Spurs conceded the first goal after twenty minutes. Donegal intercepted a pass out of defence and Spurs found themselves two against three as the local team moved forward and when the ball was played into the penalty Gardiner had no chance with the powerful shot.

Spurs' best chance of the first half was a powerful shot from a free-kick by Hawkins which the goalkeeper pushed over.

The re-introduction of Dombaxe and Day at half-time saw Spurs be more creative as the captain was more able to run at the defence and create space for others. The hard tackling Donegal side were still dangerous on the break and a comedy of errors nearly led to them getting a second goal. The goalkeeper took a free kick on the halfway line but Spurs gave the ball away and with him way out of goal a long shot was just wide as he scrambled back into position. Then from the quickly taken goalkick the ball was given away again and with the Donegal player clean through Spurs blushes were saved when the referee decided the ball had been moving when the goal kick had been taken.

With time running out, in added on time, and Spurs looking unlikely to score, Dombaxe received the ball on the edge of the penalty and with his back to goal he controlled the ball and turned in one movement to crash a great shot to level the scores. It looked as if the match would be going to penalties but in the dying moments Donegal were awarded a free kick which was launched high towards the Spurs goal. It went over everyone but Day headed it back towards the goal and it was played out to a Donegal player who hit a thunderous shot to win with only seconds left.

A disappointing end to the tournament but Spurs made too many mistakes and were forced into errors by the constant pressure of the opposition. It was another tough game for the young players following last night's hard match against KV Mechelen and they just couldn't get away with making mistakes this time.

Laste Dombaxe was definitely the best Spurs player in the three games and the team rely greatly on him for a creative spark from midfield and going forward on goal.

Spurs will now play matches to decide placings from 5th to 8th in the Milk Cup.

Thursday at Broughshane (5th - 8th play-off) v Porto Draw 0 - 0 [Lost 4 - 5 on penalties]

Friday at Portstewart (7th - 8th play-off) v Belvedere (Dublin) Won 5 - 0

NI Milk Cup 2011 - Results

Tottenham's Disappointment of Losing The Cup

2012-05-16T17:50:00.000+01:00

It was twenty five years ago today, 16th May, 1987 that Spurs lost their first FA Cup Final. After seven successful Finals, Spurs' amazing record was gone as they lost to Coventry City at Wembley. They had already sacrificed their record of never losing in a Cup Final or at Wembley in 1982 when they lost out in the League/Milk Cup Final to Liverpool but this was the big one.

Coventry City 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2 (aet)

Scorers: Bennett, Houchen, Mabbutt o.g Allen, C., Mabbutt

Team: Clemence; Hughton (Claesen), Mabbutt, Gough, Thomas, T.; Allen, P., Ardiles (Stevens), Hoddle, Hodge, Waddle, Allen, C.

Spurs had arrived at Wembley after a very impressive season which had seen David Pleat's team finish third in the 1st Division behind Everton and Liverpool. They had lost in the semi-final of the Littlewoods League Cup to Arsenal after a replay was required, the tie ending all square after home and away legs. Arsenal's late winner at White Hart Lane in that third match was the only time they had led in the tie.

Clive Allen had been the relevation of the season as he set a new goalscoring record for Spurs - 49 in all competitions, breaking the record previously held by Jimmy Greaves. The season started with his hat-trick against Aston Villa at Villa Park as Spurs claimed a 3 - 0 success and carried on from there. David Pleat introduced a system where he played as a lone striker supported by five in midfield and very successful it proved.

Spurs' Road to Wembley:
Spurs' progress to the FA Cup Final had been quite serene with few difficulties along the way with Allen scoring four goals in the competition. This was to be Glenn Hoddle's last season with Spurs and so it was extra special for him to leave on a high note.

3rd R. v Scunthorpe United (h) Won 3 - 2 Mabbutt, Waddle, Claesen
4th R. v Crystal Palace (h) Won 4 - 0 Mabbutt, Allen, C. (pen), Claesen, Opp. o.g.
5th R. v Newcastle United (h) Won 1 - 0 Allen, C. (pen)
6th R v Wimbledon (a) Won 2 - 0 Waddle, Hoddle
Wimbledon often proved a difficult side for Spurs to beat as they disliked their long ball, high pressured play and often came off second best. David Pleat’s side, however, showed their worth in a visit to Plough Lane and with application and commitment went through as the skill of Chris Waddle and Glenn Hoddle provided the goals to ensure the ‘Diamond Lights’ were still shining for the semi-final tie.
S.F. (Villa Park) v Watford Won 4 - 1 Hodge (2), Allen, C., Allen, P.
This semi-final was one of the easiest Spurs have ever played. Watford went into the game at Villa Park with goalkeeping problems and had to call up an emergency keeper as their regular keepers were injured. A 4-1 victory did not flatter Spurs as David Pleat’s side continued their good form and won through goals from Steve Hodge(2), Clive Allen and Paul Allen. Coventry City were their unexpected opponents in the Final.

FA Cup Final:

'Gary Mabbutt's Knee'

Spurs were firm favourites to lift the trophy as they returned to Wembley for their third FA Cup Final in seven years while Coventry were at this stage of the competition for the first time.

A goal after two minutes from Clive Allen who headed in Chris Waddle's cross seemed to justify their position as favourites but it wasn't to be. Coventry were level within seven minutes and although Gary Mabbutt had restored Spurs' lead before half-time, Coventry came back to take the game into extra time. Their equaliser came from a diving header by Houchen, the goal that appears regularly in photographs and video shots of the 1987 Final.

After six minutes of extra time Coventry went ahead when a cross deflected off Mabbutt's knee and looped over Ray Clemence's head. There was no way back for Spurs as they lost their first FA Cup Final.

BBC commentator, John Motson, described the game as 'the finest Cup Final I've ever had the pleasure of commenting on.'

That was little compensation for Spurs as they finished the season without a trophy as the 'nearly' men.

Read about some of Spurs successful Cup Finals:

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup

FA Cup Finals:

1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982, 1991

Tottenham - 'One Point was all that was Needed'

2012-05-14T14:15:00.002+01:00

Spurs finished season 2011-12 in fourth place, again equalling their highest finish in the Premier League era. Once again, at the death they failed to get the better of their closest neighbours and greatest rivals, Arsenal. Having had a strong advantage in late February, Spurs had their destiny in their own hands but by the end it was all about one point.

It Was in Spurs' Own Hands
Some will be dismissive and say that Spurs' current situation is all down to themselves, that in the early months of the year, with a strong hold on third there is no way that they should now be waiting anxiously on the outcome of next weekend's Champions League Final to know if they will be competing in next season's Champions League or Europa League. That is true but every team has a poor spell at some time in the season but unfortunately Spurs was a rather extended run which coincided with the departure of Fabio Capello as England manager and the lengthy silence from the Football Association with the associated speculation that Harry Redknapp was a cert to take over ahead of Euro 2012. Only after the appointment of Roy Hodgson did the Spurs team rediscover some of their form and confidence to produce the style of football that had so pleased the football public earlier in the season. Unfortunately, this rekindling of their form came too late to reclaim third place which they had held from late November through to the end of March.

Missed Opportunities
Even in the final weeks of the season Spurs managed to spurn opportunities to redeem themselves and take advantage of others misfortune. Twice in the last month of the season, Arsenal provided them with the chance to make up lost ground but Spurs were unable to make the most of these gifts - an unexpected home defeat for Arsenal against Wigan Athletic but Spurs lost to QPR the next weekend while a home draw with Norwich meant that a Tottenham win at Aston Villa would restore Spurs to third with a single point advantage going in to the final day's matches but Spurs could only manage to take a point from the relegation fearing team.

Adebayor's Disallowed Goals
If only one of those goals which were incorrectly disallowed for off-side against Emmanuel Adebayor had been given as they should have, Spurs would have had the point they required to be ahead of Arsenal at the end of the season. Against Stoke City, Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers, three games in a five week period that saw Adebayor denied a perfectly good goal as Spurs were on the wrong end of mistakes by the officials. "These things even themselves out over the course of a season" say some, but there's no evidence that it happened for Tottenham this year.

Caution v Ambition
Over a season, depending on circumstances, a team needs to take caution in its approach while at times it has to show an ambitious streak to take a gamble in the hope of gaining some reward. Looking at this aspect of Spurs play in two games when they got it wrong on both occasions. At the end of January Spurs went into added time against eventual Champions, Manchester City, level at two goals each. Spurs were in the ascendancy at this point and Benoit Assou-Ekotto had the option of cautiously allowing the ball to go out for a Spurs throw or playing it forward in an attempt to get a winning goal. He took the adventurous option but City collected the ball and started the move which led to a penalty award and a winning goal. Spurs lost out on a point and the extra two points helped City to their first title in forty four years.

In the penultimate match of the season Spurs were down to ten men against an Aston Villa team lacking any ambition as they tried to hold on to a point to rescue them from the outside chance of relegation. Spurs had just equalised but Harry Redknapp, on hearing that Newcastle United had lost their match, appeared to take the cautious approach and decide on safety first rather than make any positive substitutions in order to try for the win. In the final minute he brought on Scott Parker for Rafael Van der Vaart, a defensive move, rather than try to seek out the win, as he settled for the point. At the end of the season, the point gained made no difference but a win would have given Tottenham third place in the final reckonings. A defeat at Villa would also have seen Spurs finish fourth, with Newcastle unable to take any points from their final match.

A Winning Mentality
When Spurs were good they were very good and often won with ease, although without the instinct to go on and score the additional goals that were frequently there for the taking. On the other hand, when Spurs were going through their bad spell they never looked capable of rescuing the situation and there was an inevitability about the result. Spurs only gained 6 points during the season from a losing position while Arsenal were the masters of the comeback, winning an incredible 24 points from losing positions, including their remarkable turnaround against Spurs at The Emirates and another three points against West Bromwich Albion in the vital final game of the season. They managed late winners in three matches against Sunderland, Liverpool and Newcastle in February and March at the beginning of their revival in fortune.

It has been a memorable season for Tottenham and as Harry Redknapp says most people would have accepted this position at the beginning of the season and especially after the first two defeats to the Manchester clubs. Looking at the season as a whole, however, it would seem to have been one of missed opportunities. Having worked their way into such a strong position in mid-January that after defeating Everton they were level with United and three points behind City, they were being considered as title contenders. That, however, was as good as it got. In a season when United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, the traditional 'big four', were well below their usual standards, there was a golden opportunity for Spurs to have achieved much more, to have set down a marker that they could compete with the very best and so avoid the unsatisfactory situation of having to await the outcome of the Champions League Final to know their fate for next season. Unfortunately, this ending to the season causes an inevitable delay on forward planning for next season and allows time for uncertainty about progress, retaining players and possible new signings to develop.

'If only' scenarios could be played over endlessly but it's time to 'get over it' and 'move on' - next season's only twelve weeks away.

Tottenham 2 Fulham 0

2012-05-13T22:08:00.001+01:00

Spurs successfully achieved a comfortable win over London rivals, Fulham but in the bigger race for the Champions League, lost out to near neighbours, Arsenal, who took the three points they required at West Brom to maintain the status quo in the Premier League table. Spurs must now wait for next Saturday's Champions League Final result before knowing if they have secured a place in the play-offs in August.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Fulham 0

Scorers: Adebayor, Defoe

Team: Friedel; Walker (Nelsen), Gallas, Kaboul (Smith), Bale; Lennon, Livermore, Sandro, Modric; Van der Vaart (Defoe); Adebayor Subs: (unused) Cudicini, Giovani, Kane, Saha

On the day, Spurs did all that they could - they won their final home game of the season and waited for the other results. Newcastle United lost at Everton, ending their challenge for the Champions League and for a period before and after half-time Spurs were in prime position but the Arsenal equaliser at the Hawthorns early in the second half, their third goal from goalkeeping mistakes, ended Spurs' dream of finishing third and being the top team in London.

Gareth Bale moved to left back to replace the suspended Danny Rose who was sent off at Aston Villa last weekend. Jake Livermore joined Sandro in central midfield with Luka Modric moving further left. Two young players, Adam Smith and Harry Kane, were among the substitutes. Smith came on for the last fifteen minutes in place of the injured Younes Kaboul and Kane has returned from a successful loan period with Millwall where he won the Young Player of the Year award. The Fulham team under Martin Jol contained two former Spurs players - full back, Stephen Kelly and midfielder, Danny Murphy.

Spurs had the perfect start with a goal after 1 minute 37 seconds. Emmanuel Adebayor received the ball from Rafael Van der Vaart and placed it into the Fulham net.

[Advantage Spurs for the Champions League]

After six minutes a run by Aaron Lennon at pace had Fulham back pedalling but he ran into trouble and lost the ball. About the same time Arsenal took the lead against West Bromwich Albion.

[Advantage Arsenal]

Spurs continued to dominate with Kaboul playing wider on the left of central defence to provide greater freedom for Gareth Bale from left back. On ten minutes a shot by Modric was deflected into space on the left of the penalty area and it became a race between Bale and Schwarzer for the ball.

Bale got in a shot but the goalkeeper had closed him down and blocked the shot for a corner. From the dangerous Van der Vaart corner a Kaboul header was cleared by the goalkeeper for another corner.

West Brom drew level against Arsenal.

[Advantage Tottenham]

Livermore shot over after thirteen minutes after a series of one two passes between himself and Lennon. Then after another corner the ball was played back into Adebayor but he was unable to make proper contact with the ball. News reached White Hart Lane that West Brom had taken the lead.

[Advantage Tottenham]

Spurs were very much in control with Fulham offering little threat and when Bale put in a dangerous cross Schwarzer had to come and claim it after twenty minutes. Fulham had a short period of possession but when Bale dispossessed Kelly, he had to be quick to get back and retrieve a dangerous situation for the visitors.

Adebayor was next to threaten the visitors with a powerful run from central midfield but he was blocked and Van der Vaart's free-kick struck the wall. Adebayor won a corner which just cleared Bale's head. Arsenal drew level at The Hawthorns.

[Advantage Tottenham]

For a period before half-time Fulham showed more threat and Walker was tested in his defensive duties on the right. A good run by Lennon, enabled him to get behind the defence and he pulled the ball back to Adebayor who put it across to Van der Vaart but his shot went just past the post. With ten minutes to go to half-time Spurs had 62% of possession but they were given a wake up call when Riise collected the ball in his own half and ran towards goal with a powerful shot which Friedel saved well. A minute later a shot by Dembele was partially saved by Friedel but William Gallas got back to clear for a throw in. From the long throw Friedel made a good punched clearance. Apart from this short period of pressure, Fulham offered little threat and Spurs finished the half the stronger with shots from Walker and Bale going over.

The second half started with a run by Lennon which ended with a foul by Murphy. Modric's free-kick was headed out for a corner. Ryan Nelsen replaced Walker who had been injured at the end of the first half. Gallas reluctantly moved to right back to accommodate Nelsen but his movement released Lennon on the right and Sandro headed his cross over after fifty two minutes. A minute later Adebayor appeared to have got through on goal to force a save but he was flagged offside.

Another minute on and Arsenal regained the lead against West Bromwich Albion.

[Advantage Arsenal]

For a time the game seemed to go rather flat as if everyone at White Hart Lane was aware of what had happened at The Hawthorns. Just before the hour Dembele shot against a post and then Spurs introduced Jermain Defoe in place of Van der Vaart. Two minutes was all Defoe needed to score - he set Lennon off on the right and when the winger's shot deflected to him, he scored the second.

Spurs were in control and they started to play with a freedom and confidence that has been missing for much of the past three months. A run by Bale ended with Defoe shooting over. With fifteen minutes left Adam Smith made his debut and apart from a couple of late saves by Friedel the match ended with Spurs taking the three points to maintain Fulham's poor record at White Hart Lane.

No change in the Midlands meant that Spurs finished fourth and must await the outcome on the Champions League Final and hope that Bayern Munich are successful.

At the end of what was a comfortable, routine win for Spurs, the overwhelming feeling was of disappointment at the end of an extraordinary season, that Spurs return to form had come just a little to late to secure the third place finish and automatic qualification for the Group stages, that had seemed guaranteed back in January and February. One point and one goal was all that had been required.

Spurs now face an uncertain period:

Will they make the Champions League?
Will they get through the play-offs in August, if they are in the competition?
What bearing will this situation have on retaining players and making new signings?

Tottenham's planning for the new season will now be full of 'ifs and buts' but it has been a fantastic season for the club, the best that many supporters have ever experienced with Tottenham, at one point, being considered as title challengers - a new experience for all of us.

A great season, playing the best football in the League and many memories to keep us going through the summer. While we may feel down at the moment, we'll all be back in August - you know you will.

Spurs' Home Record against Fulham

2012-05-12T22:18:00.000+01:00

Spurs need to end their season with a victory over Fulham to stand any chance of Champions League football next season. Even then, it may depend on events elsewhere, including next weekend's Champions League Final in Munich.

Spurs' final home Premier League match of the season has them entertaining Fulham with Martin Jol in charge. Earlier in the season Spurs defeated Fulham 3 - 1 in a hard earned victory at Craven Cottage. They can expect another difficult afternoon as they battle for the points which should ensure a Champions League place next season, as long as Chelsea don't defeat Bayern Munich next Saturday.

Last Season's Result:
Jan. 2011 PL Won 1 - 0 Bale
This New Year's Day encounter was settled when Gareth Bale headed Rafael Van der Vaart's free-kick into the goal, three minutes before half-time. It was a hard-earned victory and ensured that Spurs had taken maximum points from the three matches over the holiday period.

Spurs' Home League Record against Fulham (inc. PL):

P 39 W 21 D 16 L 2 For 67 Ag 30

Premier League Record at White Hart Lane against Fulham:

P 10 W 6 D 3 L 1 For 16 Ag 5

Fulham's first League success at White Hart Lane was in April, 1948 in a 2nd Division match which they won 2 - 0. It was the second of three home defeats in five days for Spurs. Their second success came in August, 2003 in their third season in the Premier League after an absence of over thirty years from the top flight of English football, when they triumphed 3 - 0 in what was the penultimate home match of Glenn Hoddle's time as manager. Defeat to Southampton in the next home game sealed his fate.

Fulham have proved a difficult team to beat since their arrival in the Premier League and Spurs can expect another difficult afternoon against their London rivals with Martin Jol having an extra incentive for success.

Previous Premier League Meetings at White Hart Lane:

Jan. 2010 Won 2 - 0 Crouch, Bentley

A goal in each half secured the points for Spurs and brought to an end a run of three games without a win.

Dec. 2008 Draw 0 - 0
A rather dour affair with Spurs unable to break down Fulham's well organised defence which wasn't appropriate fare for this Boxing Day game.

Dec. 2007 Won 5 - 1 Keane (2), Huddlestone (2), Defoe
This was the first of three consecutive Boxing Day matches against Fulham and while it was a goal fest for Spurs the others in 2008 and at Craven Cottage in 2009 ended goalless. Robbie Keane and Tom Huddleston gave Spurs a two goal lead by the interval. Dempsey pulled one back for the visitors on the hour but Keane responded immediately to restore Tottenham's advantage. Huddlestone and Defoe completed the afternoon's entertainment.

Sept. 2006 Draw 0 - 0
Spurs were unable to unsettle Fulham's defensive strategy which they'd set out from the beginning in order to get a point.

Sept. 2005 Won 1 - 0 Defoe
Jermain Defoe gave Spurs an early lead which suggested it was going to be comfortable afternoon but it was far from that as Spurs were called to defend for long periods as Fulham sought an equaliser. This result enabled Spurs to reclaim fourth place in the early season league table.

Feb. 2005 Won 2 - 0 Kanoute, Keane
Spurs struggled to make the breakthrough but after introducing Fredi Kanoute for Defoe with less that twenty minutes remaining the substitute scored the opening goal. Keane then replaced Mido and he added the second in the final minute.

Aug. 2003 Lost 0 - 3
In a dire performance from Spurs, Fulham were comfortable winners with a first half goal and two in four minutes midway through the second half.

Feb. 2003 Draw 1 - 1 Sheringham (pen)
Ledley King scored an own goal after fifteen minutes but a Teddy Sheringham penalty before the interval brought Spurs level.

Dec. 2001 Won 4 - 0 Ferdinand, Anderton, Davies, Rebrov
Spurs fans had an abundance of goals at White Hart Lane as in the previous match in mid-week they had seen their team win 6 - 1 against Bolton in the Worthington Cup. Les Ferdinand and Darren Anderton scored before half-time and Simon Davies and Sergei Rebrov added two further goals in six minutes midway through the second half. Ferdinand's goal after twenty minutes gave him the distinction of scoring the 10,000th Premier League goal.

Previous Meetings:
The previous occasion that Spurs played Fulham in a League match at White Hart Lane was in their season in the 2nd Division in 1977 - 78. The match was played in September and resulted in a single goal victory for Spurs. The goal was scored by Chris Jones.

The last match in the 1st Division was on 26th December, 1967. The Boxing Day fixture ended in a draw with another C. Jones scoring both goals. It was Cliff Jones who scored as the match ended 2 - 2. Four days later, the return match at Craven Cottage ended 2 - 1 in Spurs' favour with Jimmy Robertson and that man, Cliff Jones, scoring the goals. The following October Jones joined Fulham after ten very successful years with Tottenham.

The First Meeting in the Football League at Tottenham
The two clubs had met in their Southern League days but they first met in the Football League in a 2nd Division match at White Hart Lane in April, 1909. Spurs were fighting to win promotion and this win kept them on track, the goal being scored by Vivian Woodward who scored 22 League and Cup goals in their debut season in the Football League.

Biggest Wins:

Dec. 1919 Div. 2 Won 4 - 0 Walden, Minter (2), Bliss [Spurs won 2nd Division]

Nov. 1960 Div. 1 Won 5 - 1 Jones (2), White, Allen (2) [Spurs won 1st Division & FA Cup]

Dec. 2001 PL Won 4 - 0 Ferdinand, Anderton, Davies, Rebrov

Dec. 2007 PL Won 5 - 1 Keane (2), Huddlestone (2), Defoe

For the first time in five matches Spurs are not faced with a team battling against relegation and while White Hart Lane has never been Fulham's favourite ground, they have proved difficult to beat and will not give Spurs an inch in this final match of the season. A London derby against committed opposition will be a real test of Spurs' desire and nerve to stake a claim for a Champions League place next season. Tottenham will need to match Fulham's endeavour and ensure they take any goal scoring chances that are created - only a win will do, unless there are very unexpected results at the Hawthorns and Goodison Park.

Tottenham - Final Home Match of the Season

2012-05-10T16:07:00.001+01:00

For many seasons for younger Tottenham supporters, the final home match and the last game of the season have had little importance for Spurs. Safely ensconced in mid-table, it was just another match to be played to bring the season to a close with nothing at stake. For the past few seasons, however, with Spurs' improving status there has been something to play for and this weekend's home game with Fulham has the greatest importance of any final match played at White Hart Lane for some considerable time.

The result of Sunday's match against Fulham, not to overstate its importance, could determine Spurs' future direction for years to come. A third place finish with automatic Champions League qualification will allow immediate planning for the coming season to commence - current players will be less inclined to fall into the snare of other clubs while Tottenham would be a more attractive proposition for prospective players. The plans for the development of the new ground would have a greater chance of progressing and attracting the financial backers and sponsors which are required for Daniel Levy to finally give it the green light. Any other finish, even fourth, would bring with it certain restraints which would cause delay - Chelsea winning the Champions League and thus missing out on the competition, dropping into the Europa League for another season would be less appealing to current and future players and create a less profitable financial situation. The knock-on effect for attracting sponsorship would be similar so Sunday's result is crucial for the club.

It has not always been so, as the last home game of the season approached. Frequently, it has been the opposition who have had more to play for and for some White Hart Lane was a good place to visit. In 1996-97, Coventry City were the visitors and their 2 - 1 victory ensured their Premier League survival by a single point, condemning Sunderland and Middlesbrough with already relegated Nottingham Forest. A young Northern Ireland player, Paul McVeigh, scored Spurs' goal in what was his third and final appearance for the club. He remained with Tottenham until March, 2000 when he was given a free transfer and signed for Norwich City. He made twenty appearances for Northern Ireland, making his debut while with Spurs and then made over 200 appearances for Norwich.

May, 2011

Tottenham 2 Birmingham City 1 Pavlyuchenko (2) [Final place finish: 5th]
Last season's final game of the season was important for Birmingham who were looking to avoid relegation while Spurs could ensure Europa League qualification. In the end results elsewhere determined the outcome of both situations. Liverpool's defeat meant Spurs were in Europe while a Wolves' recovery guaranteed their safety and had relegated Birmingham even before Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the second of his two goals in the final minute.

May, 2010
Tottenham 1 Bolton Wanderers 0 Huddlestone [Final place finish: 4th]
With two away games to follow, it was essential that Spurs won to maintain their pursuit of fourth place. Tom Huddlestone's thunderbolt of a drive in the first half ensured that Tottenham remained in pole position ahead of their vital head-to-head clash with Manchester City to secure Champions league qualification. Peter Crouch's goal in Manchester four days later brought that dream to reality.

May, 2009
Tottenham 2 Manchester City 1 Defoe, Keane (p) [Final place finish: 8th]
Having battled for survival after a nightmare start to the season, Harry Redknapp in his first season at White Hart Lane had lifted the club to safety with an outside chance of making the Europa League. This win over City maintained that prospect but a final day defeat at Anfield brought it to an end. Jermain Defoe gave Spurs an early lead but City drew level midway through the second half. Robbie Keane secured victory with a penalty four minutes from time.

May, 2008
Tottenham 0 Liverpool 2 [Final place finish: 11th]
Having won the Carling Cup at the end of February, Juande Ramos' team sleep walked through the rest of the season to finish eleventh. Liverpool brought the final rites to the season with two second half goals in what was a disappointing performance from Spurs.

May, 2007
Tottenham 2 Manchester City 1 Keane, Berbatov [Final place finish: 5th]
Spurs ensured their qualification for the UEFA Cup with a fifth place finish for the second successive season under Martin Jol. They scored two first half goals from Keane and Dimitar Berbatov but allowed City to pull one back before the interval but then held on throughout the second period to claim the points.

April, 2006
Tottenham 1 Bolton Wanderers 0 Lennon [Final place finish: 5th]
Aaron Lennon's goal after an hour maintained Spurs' hold on fourth place as they faced stiff competition from Arsenal for the final place for Champions League qualification. Spurs had been fourth since November but it would go down to the final games the next weekend when Spurs travelled across London to face West Ham United. As we all know, 'Lasagne-gate' became headlines as a sickly Tottenham played out the game with an ailing team who were clearly unwell. Spurs lost, Arsenal won and Tottenham fans had to wait another until 2010 for their first experience of the Champions League.

May, 2005
Tottenham 0 Blackburn Rovers 0 [Final place finish: 9th]
Spurs had an outside chance of European qualification but it had really been lost the previous weekend with a single goal defeat at Middlesbrough. A stubborn Rovers team came to deny Tottenham and they succeeded.

It was Atrocious
May, 2003
Tottenham 0 Blackburn Rovers 4 [Final place finish: 10th]
This wasn't how it wa ssupposed to be when Glenn Hoddle took over as manager. Spurs had lost 1 - 5 the previous week at Middlesbrough and brought the season to a close in front of clearly dissatisfied and disgruntled supporters at White Hart Lane. It was Teddy Sheringham's final game for the club but there was nothing to commend about the performance which saw Gus Poyet sent off and Blackburn score twice in each half. There were calls for Hoddle to go and it wasn't long into the new season before he departed.

It was a Celebration!

May, 1977
Tottenham 2 Leicester City 0 Pratt, Holmes [Final place finish: 22nd - Relegation]
Spurs' relegation had been determined the previous weekend in a five goal defeat at Manchester City. The team threw off their fears and gave the fans something to cheer in the final match with goals from John Pratt and Jimmy Holmes. The team included Pat Jennings for whom it would be his last League appearance for the club, Steve Perryman, Glenn Hoddle and Peter Taylor. The fans showed their loyalty to the club as they prepared for a step into the unknown - a year in the 2nd Division.

It was Tense!!
April, 1978
Tottenham 1 Hull City 0 Perryman [Final place finish: 3rd - Promotion]
One year on and Tottenham experienced a very tense evening at White Hart Lane. Spurs promotion had seemed secure earlier in the season but two successive defeats left them in danger of missing out. A late goal scored by captain, Steve Perryman, secured the points and they lived to fight another day - a final day visit to Southampton who were also in the battle for promotion. A tense scoreless draw gave both clubs promotion, Tottenham at the expense of Brighton on goal difference.

Sunday's match against Fulham is sure to be tense but hopefully, Spurs will come through and if results elsewhere go in their favour, the supporters will have plenty to celebrate - another crack at the Champions League.

Tottenham - the Final Day Conundrum

2012-05-09T11:02:00.002+01:00

Thirty seven matches played, the hard work done, but Spurs' destiny for the season now depends on those final day results. To be guaranteed a place in next season's Champions League Spurs must finish in third but if Chelsea win this year's competition, it will be via the final play-off round in August.

Battle for Champions League finish

For ninety minutes last weekend against Aston Villa, Spurs were in control of their own destiny. Arsenal's home draw with Norwich City had provided them with the opportunity to leapfrog Arsenal and move into third position if they could get three points at Villa Park. The draw which seemed to satisfy Harry Redknapp, once he knew that Newcastle United had lost to Manchester City handed the initiative back to Arsenal with one match remaining.

Season 1995 - 96
Chelsea's defeat at Anfield on Tuesday evening removes them from the equation for third, fourth and fifth. Spurs will finish above Chelsea for the first time since season 1995-96. That was a season when Gerry Francis oversaw our eighth place finish with Chelsea in eleventh. The Spurs' team included Ian Walker and Teddy Sheringham who were ever presents, Chris Armstrong, Justin Edinburgh, Jason Dozzell, Colin Calderwood, Dean Austin, David Howells, Ronnie Rosenthal, Ruel Fox, Clive Wilson and Gary Mabbutt. Darren Anderton started six games, making a late successful claim for a place in the England team for Euro96 by appearing in the last four games of the season and scoring twice in a win at Leeds United.

Battle for the Champions League
Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle United are in contention to finish third, fourth or fifth in the Premier League. With one match to play, Arsenal hold the advantage with a single point lead over Spurs who are one point ahead of Newcastle. The goal difference column again gives Arsenal a one goal advantage over Spurs with Newcastle the poor relations in this regard. Let's hope that Spurs will not regret strolling through two goal home victories earlier in the season when they had created sufficient opportunities to have recorded a significant win.

If Tottenham win against Martin Jol's Fulham team who are currently in ninth place with 52 points, they would finish with 69 points. That would mean that Arsenal would have to take all three points at West Bromwich Albion where Roy Hodgson will have his last game in charge before taking over as England manager. If Arsenal were to lose then Spurs would finish third with the other placing dependent on Newcastle's result at Everton.

If Tottenham draw then their near neighbours can remain above them with a draw or a single goal defeat as they have the goal difference in their favour. Defeat by two goals and Spurs would gain the advantage over Arsenal but Newcastle could move into third with a win at Goodison Park.

If Spurs lose at home to Fulham for the first time since August, 2003, their best place finish would be fourth as long as Newcastle have failed to take the three points from Everton.

For Spurs to have any chance of finishing third Arsenal must not win at the Hawthorns. To be certain of Champions League qualification Spurs need to be third as Chelsea have the opportunity to deny the fourth placed team by defeating Bayern Munich in this year's final. If they were to win, the third placed team would have to take part in the final play-off round in August.

The need for Spurs to finish third and Chelsea not to win this year's competition is immense as Tottenham's summer transfer dealings, both in and possible outs, would be greatly complicated by having to wait for the guarantee of the finances associated with reaching the Champions League Group stages which Daniel Levy will require before committing outlay on top players who will be reluctant to sign unless they also have that Champions League guarantee.

In past seasons the final day excitement usually centred on which teams would be dropping out of the Premier League. This season, however, there is the contest between the two Manchester clubs to win the title, there is the battle between Bolton and QPR for the Premier League lives but there will also be a very intriguing battle for the Champions League. There are sure to be twists and turns on Sunday with the final outcome continuing to be uncertain until after the Champions League Final in Munich on 19th May.

Spurs and Arsenal need to take care that they are not so focused on their own local rivalry that they overlook the north-eastern threat from Newcastle who could easily come up on the outside as they have over the past couple of months and snatch the cherished prize if the London clubs don't perform on the day.

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1

2012-05-06T17:38:00.001+01:00

Always expect the unexpected with Spurs. Needing a win at Villa Park they managed to come back from a goal down to equalise with only ten men but with Villa content with a point and so lacking in ambition, Spurs should have gone on to win and move above Arsenal in the race for third. Now it's all down to next week and Spurs getting a better result than their near neighbours and Newcastle.

Aston Villa 1 Tottenham 1

Scorers: Clark Adebayor (pen)

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Rose; Lennon, Sandro, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart (Parker); Adebayor Subs: (unused) Cudicini, Nelsen, Livermore, Defoe, Giovani, Saha

Spurs started with the same team for the third match in a row and were the more confident side in the opening period. Scott Parker returned from injury to take King's place among the substitutes. Spurs knew that a win would take them above Arsenal into third place with the final placings in their own hands next week against Fulham.

An early Villa corner came when Danny Rose got a block on a shot by N'Zogbia but Spurs were comfortable while the home team exerted some early pressure. Then with Spurs moving forward quickly in attack Emmanuel Adebayor had a good turn and shot which went wide. Kyle Walker was unusually careless giving the ball away on three occasions and from the final one Younes Kaboul had to get back to put in a good tackle in the penalty box on Heskey.

Spurs built up the pressure on the Villa defence but they defended as if their lives depended on it with crucial blocks, tackles and clearing headers. Following a period of pressure Walker shot over and then again Dunne put in a tackle as Gareth Bale went to cross. On seventeen minutes Rafael Van der Vaart had a shot blocked after a good move involving Bale, Luka Modric and Adebayor set him up.

Villa won a corner after a free-kick but Brad Friedel made a good punched clearance under pressure. Spurs broke at speed but Vila again blocked Modric's shot and when Bale's shot was blocked Walker shot over. A good move broke down when Adebayor was caught offside as Bale and Van der Vaart tried to play him in. On thirty minutes a run and cross by Aaron Lennon to the back post was headed past by Bale.

Spurs were carrying the greatest threat but Villa showed great spirit and a determined defensive display as wave after wave of Spurs attacks came at them. Modric was blocked as he tried to get forward and then Van der Vaart shot wide from the right.

A minute later, on thirty four minutes, Clark tried a speculative strike from twenty five yards, it deflected off William Gallas' head and looped past a wrong-footed Friedel to leave Spurs stunned. It was to be one of only two attempts on target by Villa in the whole match, Spurs had ten.

Spurs responded with a shot by Bale from Walker's cross which was well saved by Given. A corner and header by Gallas caused problems for Villa but they got the ball away and then from a well worked short corner Modric played the ball to Kaboul who set up Van der Vaart but his shot went just past the post. In the final minutes of the first half Villa put Spurs under some pressure but Sandro put in a strong tackle to clear the danger. At the end of the half the goal attempts were 11 - 3 in Tottenham's favour.

With forty five minutes to save their season, Spurs started the second half looking for a goal and Bale almost got the ball through to Adebayor. Villa defended with nine men back and following good possession Danny Rose's cross was cleared for a corner. Then, out on the left touch line, Rose challenged two Villa players for the ball and won the ball but caught Hutton on the shin and the referee showed him a red card with forty one minutes still to play. For the second successive season, Spurs were to finish the game at Villa Park with ten men, Jermain Defoe having been sent off last year.

After a lengthy break, when the game resumed Spurs were rather disorganised at the back and took a few minutes to settle but then from a quick free-kick Adebayor got away through the centre but his weak shot was saved when Lennon was free on the right. Spurs then started to exert pressure on the home side and just as it looked as if Harry Redknapp was going to introduce Defoe, they got the goal they deserved from a penalty after an hour. From a corner, Sandro collected the ball and as he ran across the area, Dunne brought him down. Adebayor sent Given the wrong way and Spurs had half an hour to score the second goal they needed for third place in the Premier League. The decision to play Defoe was changed and the only substitution made was replacing Van der Vaart with Parker as the game was about to enter added time.

For much of the final thirty minutes it was Spurs who pressed forward and Villa who looked as if they had ten men, the home side restricted to looking to hit Spurs on the break. From one such situation, Friedel had to come out quickly to clear but otherwise he was untroubled.

For all their possession Spurs didn't look like scoring, especially with Bale at left back and in the end they ran out of ideas against a packed home defence and players who were totally committed. Spurs had 21 attempts on goal to Villa's four.

The sending off of Rose, fired up the Tottenham players - the ten men gave everything but they couldn't find that extra goal and so remain a point behind Arsenal and hand the initiative for third place back to them while also keeping Newcastle United who lost to Manchester City interested in the fight for Champions League football next season.

Having got back into the game with a goal so quickly after the red card, Spurs should have been able to go on and win against a Villa team with such limited ambition. Once again when Spurs have an opportunity to take advantage of another team's (Arsenal's) slip-up, they fail to deliver - of such things Spurs fans have to become used to. After a glimmer of hope following wins over Blackburn and Bolton in the previous two matches, disappointment that once again we have spurned a great opening, the results of which could define the club's future for year's to come.

Spurs' League Record at Villa Park

2012-05-05T17:03:00.002+01:00

Spurs will be looking for a third successive win against a relegation threatened side to strengthen their claim for a Champions League place next season which has been boosted by Arsenal's home draw with Norwich City. With only two Premier League games remaining, the permutations for Champions League qualification continue to intrigue.

Tottenham's recent results at Villa Park have gone a little way to improve their overall record against Aston Villa. In November, Spurs had a very comfortable two goal success over Villa at White Hart Lane with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring both goals.

League Record at Villa Park (inc. PL)

P 69 W 20 D 19 L 30 For 91 Ag 106

Away Premier League Record against Villa

P 19 W 3 D 7 L 9 For 16 Ag 25

Last Season's Result:

Dec. 2010 PL Won 2 - 1 Van der Vaart (2)

A goal in each half by Rafael Van der Vaart ensured Spurs' fans enjoyed their Boxing Day journey home. Van der Vaart brought his total of goals against Villa to four having scored both goals in the 2 - 1 win at White Hart Lane the previous October. Villa pulled one goal back through Agbonlahor with eight minutes remaining but the result was never in doubt even though Spurs played with ten men for over an hour after Jermain Defoe had been harshly sent off in the 26th minute, three minutes after Van der Vaart had opened the scoring.

Previous PL Games at Villa Park:

Nov. 2009 PL Draw 1 - 1 Dawson

This was one of Spurs' best away performances in many seasons. Agbonlahor put Villa ahead after ten minutes but Spurs then gained control and in the second half it was wave after wave of Spurs attacks in search of a goal. It eventually came from Michael Dawson with thirteen minutes remaining. Spurs continued to seek a goal while Villa with everyone back were just happy to clear the ball and they were the team most relieved to hear the final whistle.

March, 2009 PL Won 2 - 1 Jenas, Bent

Jermaine Jenas gave Spurs an early lead and Darren added the second early in the second half. Villa scored five minutes from time but Spurs secured their first win at Villa Park since January, 2003. Both Jenas and Bent have since become Villa players - Jenas, on loan this season before serious injury brought it to an end, and Bent following a transfer from Sunderland.

Jan. 2008 PL Lost 1 - 2 Defoe

Spurs conceded a goal four minutes before half-time from a set-piece. Defoe equalised with ten minutes left but then conceded another goal from a set-piece five minutes later.

Oct. 2006 PL Draw 1 - 1 Opp. o.g.

Angel was the a Spurs' hero on the day but a Villa villain as he missed a penalty when Calum Davenport was sent off to reduce Spurs to ten men and then his own goal put them ahead with fifteen minutes remaining. Villa equalised through Gareth Barry five minutes later. This was goalkeeper Paul Robinson's first game following his blunder which contributed to England's defeat in Croatia.

Sept. 2005 PL Draw 1 - 1 Keane

Substitute Robbie Keane released all his frustrations as he struck the ball to bring Spurs level in the second half with twelve minutes left. Spurs starting line-up contained eleven internationals for the first time.

Nov. 2004 PL Lost 0 - 1

May, 2004 PL Lost 0 - 1

Jan. 2003 PL Won 1 - 0 Sheringham

A Teddy Sheringham goal after seventy minutes secured Spurs first Premier League win at Villa Park. It was Tottenham's first success there since season 1986-87.

Aug. 1986 1st Div. Won 3 - 0 Allen, C. (3)

The opening day of the season and Spurs had the joy of a win and a hat-trick from Clive Allen. It was the beginning of a tremendous season for Spurs under new manager, David Pleat, when Spurs finished third in the League, were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Littlewoods Cup and lost in the FA Cup Final to Coventry City - the 'nearly-season'. Clive Allen went on to break Jimmy Greaves' record for goals scored in a season, one that is unlikely to be beaten. Villa were relegated at the end of the season.

A Great Run for Spurs at Villa Park:
Spurs' return to 1st Division football in 1950-51 season started a remarkable sequence of results against Aston Villa at Villa Park. They went eleven seasons without defeat, winning on eight occasions. The series started with seven consecutive wins from September, 1950 to September, 1956.

Sept. 1950 1st Div. Won 3 - 2 Murphy, Duquemin, Medley
March, 1952 1st Div. Won 3 - 0 Walters, Duquemin (2)
Nov. 1952 1st Div. Won 3 - 0 Bennett, Duquemin, Dicker
Dec. 1953 1st Div. Won 2 - 1 Walters, Baily
Aug. 1954 1st Div. Won 4 - 2 Dowsett, Bennett (2), Baily
Nov. 1955 1st Div. Won 2 - 0 Clarke, McClellan
Sept. 1956 1st Div. Won 4 - 2 Harmer, Smith, Stokes, Robb

Spurs' First Win at Villa Park:

Tottenham's first League success at Villa Park came in March, 1925 at the eleventh attempt. The only goal was scored by centre forward Bill Lane.

Biggest Win at Villa Park:

In January, 1934 Spurs won 5 - 1 in a 1st Division game as Spurs finished the season in third position. The goals were scored by Tom Meads, Jimmy McCormick (2), Les Howe, George Hunt.

As Baggyshorts commented last week on Twitter, 'History counts for nothing' which is of course true but it's interesting to see how Spurs have got on in the past against their opponents. Third place is now in Spurs' own hands and a win over Aston Villa will put them in control with only one match remaining and to echo David Chambers tweet, 'Our destiny is back in our own hands now. Please win tomorrow, Spurs!'

And so say all of us.

Bolton Wanderers 1 Tottenham 4

2012-05-03T10:53:00.001+01:00

Spurs' win over Bolton gave them their first away win of 2012, their first league success at the Reebok Stadium and two consecutive Premier League wins for the first time since January. They retain fourth place ahead of Newcastle United on goal difference and are only one point behind Arsenal who are third with two games remaining.

Bolton Wanderers 1 Tottenham Hotspur 4

Scorers: Reo-Coker Modric, Van der Vaart, Adebayor (2)

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas (Nelsen), Kaboul, Rose; Lennon (Saha), Sandro (Livermore), Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Adebayor Subs: (unused) Cudicini, King, Giovani, Defoe

The England manager's position having been settled after three months during which Tottenham's form slumped alarmingly, Spurs returned to better times with a hard-working display that showed some of their old confidence which has been so lacking for too long. Having waited for a Tottenham player to step up and score a 'screamer' of a goal we end up with two in two games. As if to show Kyle Walker that he wasn't the only one capable of a super strike, Luka Modric followed suit with a 'wonder' opening goal in the first half. Receiving the ball direct from a corner by Rafael Van der Vaart, Modric controlled the ball and fired an unstoppable shot from twenty five yards. After a Bolton revival and early second half strike Spurs rallied with three goals in nine minutes to secure the much needed win and the vital three points in their quest for next season's Champions League place.

The Tottenham team was unchanged from their easy victory over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. Brad Friedel became the oldest player ever to play for Spurs in the League moving ahead of Jimmy Cantrell, a centre forward who played for them before and after the 1st World War. Scott Parker was still absent through injury while Ledley King was again on the bench along with Jermain Defoe.

Both teams were in great need of the points but for different reasons - Bolton to lift them out of the bottom three while Spurs are aiming to get into the top three by the end of the season. Spurs had an early corner at which Bolton deployed the Stoke City defensive tactics with Wheater dragging Younes Kaboul all over the penalty area. Spurs were looking to the pace of Aaron Lennon to cause Bolton problems as both teams started brightly and looked to get forward quickly. Spurs had an early scare when Danny Rose missed a tackle but recovered to clear the danger.

Bolton worked hard to keep Spurs in their own half but after eleven minutes Gareth Bale had a shot blocked by the goalkeeper who again blocked Van der Vaart's follow up shot. Almost immediately Emmanuel Adebayor was put through by Van der Vaart but he was unable to control the ball. After fifteen minutes Friedel collected the ball under pressure from a Bolton free-kick but it was Spurs who had had 55% possession in the opening period. Spurs continued to show positive intentions with good interplay between Lennon and Adebayor resulting in Lennon's shot going out for a corner.

Spurs were displaying the greater threat in attack and midway through the half a good run by Bale ended with a super cross but with three players up in support, no-one was able to reach it. Bolton were fully committed and covered back quickly when they lost the ball making it difficult for Spurs to make forward progress even with 60% of possession in the opening twenty five minutes.

Bale was again the source of danger with a cross blocked and then Van der Vaart fired wide from a free-kick. After a period of home pressure Friedel made a good save from Ngog who had the chance when a long cross from the left was played back to him and he turned quickly but Friedel had come out quickly and got a block on the shot. Spurs then moved forward and when Adebayor's shot was blocked, Sandro who worked hard all evening, followed up and put Bolton under pressure with the ball being cleared for a corner. Spurs had some good fortune in that the ball had struck Sandro on the hand as he went for it but perhaps it was pay back time in Spurs' favour this time as Spurs were to score from the corner which was awarded.

What a great strike it was from Modric after thirty six minutes who had positioned himself well outside the area to receive from Van der Vaart. It was Spurs first away goal in four matches since Adebayor's penalty put them two up at the Emirates. Spurs maintained their ascendancy with the corner count showing their five to none from Bolton with five minutes of the half remaining. In those final minutes, however, Bolton felt they could have had a penalty for handball against William Gallas or holding by Kaboul. An Eagles shot went wide and in the last minute of added time they squandered a glorious chance to draw level when the Spurs defence got into disarray from a free-kick and Boyata fired over an open goal.

The second half started with early Bolton pressure but Spurs still threatened when a pass from Van der Vaart to put Adebayor clear was cut out by a defender. After six minutes the Bolton pressure paid off as Spurs defended poorly from a basic throw in as a flick on and back heel put Rio-Coker in to level the scores. Bolton were on top for the first time in the match and the crowd who had given Fabrice Muamba a great reception when he appeared on the pitch before the match came to life to back their team. Spurs frequently gave the ball away in their haste to clear and were hemmed in their own half. After fifty five minutes Bolton won their first corner and with three quick corners the home team kept up the pressure and a shot from Eagles went just over the bar.

Spurs then turned the match in their favour with two goals in two minutes on the hour. First a quick counter attack by Bale on the left and he pulled the ball back for Van der Vaart to score with a shot across the goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Modric released Lennon and he selflessly put the ball across fro Adebayor to get the third. The home side and their supporters were in shock but in response Ngog had a shot easily saved by Friedel and poor defending from another throw in almost caused Spurs a problem.

After 69 minutes good inter-passing by Modric and Bale enabled Adebayor to take the ball around the goalkeeper and score his second and Spurs' fourth.

Bolton tried to respond through Petrov who for the first time got away from Kyle Walker but Friedel blocked his powerful shot and Sandro got back to clear any further danger. Adebayor was now causing more problems for Bolton as he tried to play in Lennon but the home side crowded him out. He then blasted over following a break by Bale as he looked for his hat-trick. In the final minutes Spurs almost added to Bolton's misery as Bale had two shots blocked for a corner and in the final action Walker's shot was also deflected off a defender and the goalkeeper for a corner.

Spurs won at a ground where they always find it difficult and managed to prevent the Bolton captain, Kevin Davies, from getting his customary goal or goals against them. It was a vital win as Newcastle beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to keep apace with Spurs for fourth but both clubs are now only a point behind Arsenal whose goal difference advantage over Spurs has been reduced to one goal.

Spurs' performance was vastly improved from previous away games, they showed much more purpose and forward intent, they played with more confidence than they have for quite some time and showed a greater endeavour and fight against a team renowned for its combative qualities. Now it's on to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon in the penultimate stage of the race for third, fourth or fifth.

COYS!!

Spurs Record at Bolton

2012-05-02T08:58:00.000+01:00

For the third successive match Tottenham face a relegation threatened side. Spurs lost against QPR at Loftus Road while Blackburn showed no interest but Spurs can rest assured that Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium will put up greater resistance in a must win match for both sides with Spurs wanting the three points to secure their Champions League place for next season.

Travelling 'up north' has never has never been a favourite venue for any Tottenham team and the Reebok Stadium is a ground where Spurs have yet to win in the Premier League. Their only win at Bolton during the league during the Premier League era was in season 1995-96, just prior to Bolton's move to their new stadium. The only successs that Spurs have achieved at the Reebok was in a Carling Cup tie in October, 2004 which they won 4 - 3 after extra time (2 - 2 after ninety minutes).

Spurs' Away League Record against Bolton (inc. PL):

P 43 W 11 D 7 L 25 For 52 Ag 76

Premier League Record at Bolton:

P 12 W 1 D 4 L 7 For 13 Ag 23

Last Season's Result:

Nov. 2010 PL Lost 2 - 4 Hutton, Pavlyuchenko

Four days after their stunning win over Inter Milan in the Champions League Spurs were brought back down to earth with a bump at Bolton. Kevin Davies scored twice, the first from an off-side position and the second from the penalty spot, as Spurs found themselves three down with fourteen minutes remaining. A mini-revival saw Spurs score twice through Alan Hutton and Roman Pavlyuchenko, only for the home team to score late in added time.

Spurs' Last League Win at Bolton

March, 1996 PL Won 3 - 2 Howells, Fox, Armstrong

Bolton were relegated at the end of this their first season in the Premier League but having earned their first away point at White Hart lane in December, coming back from two goals down, they again showed fighting qualities in this match. Spurs were three ahead with little more than a quarter of the game to go but they had to withstand a barnstorming finish from Bolton to secure the points. David Howells had given Spurs an early first half lead before Ruel Fox and Chris Armstrong scored two goals in five minutes early in the second half. Bolton's comeback could have been even better but for a last minute goal line clearance by Clive Wilson from a header by former Spurs player, Gudni Bergsson who had scored the equaliser in the game at Tottenham.

Spurs' Other Premier League Results at Bolton

Oct. 2009 PL Draw 2 - 2 Kranjcar, Corluka

Bolton grabbed the lead after four minutes but Niko Kranjcar brought them level before the interval. Davies scored his usual goal against Spurs in the second half but within four minutes Vedran Corluka scored with a header from a corner.

Jan. 2009 PL Lost 2 - 3 Bent (2)

Half-time substitute, Darren Bent, scored twice in three minutes to bring Spurs level in the second half. Spurs battling against relegation in Harry Redknapp's first season were a goal down at half-time. Davies then added a second before Bent struck. Three minutes from time Davies got his second from a corner leaving the Spurs manager furious at conceding another late goal.

Sept. 2007 PL Draw 1 - 1 Keane

Robbie Keane gave Spurs the lead after thirty four minutes but within five minutes Bolton had drawn level through Campo.

Aug. 2006 PL Lost 0 - 2

Spurs' season got off to the worst possible start. Martin Jol's team simply weren't up for the match and Bolton made them pay for their lethargy with two goals in the first quarter of an hour from Davies and Campo.

Nov. 2005 PL Lost 0 - 1

A Monday evening match which Bolton won with a goal after half an hour from Nolan. Jermain Defoe 'equalised' almost immediately but was incorrectly flagged off-side.

Feb. 2005 PL Lost 1 - 3 Defoe

All the goals came in the second half. Bolton went ahead with a penalty just after the interval but Defoe equalised with about twenty minutes remaining. Two goals in the final three minutes gave Bolton the points with Davies scoring again.

April, 2004 PL Lost 0 - 2

A goal in each half saw Spurs' poor run continue, having taken only five points from nine matches - with only three goals in the last eight games, one an own goal.

March, 2003 PL Lost 0 - 1

A penalty in the final minute brought the points to Bolton.

April, 2002 PL Draw 1 - 1 Iversen

Steffan Iversen gave Spurs an early lead but Bolton took a point with a goal twenty minutes from time.

Sept. 1997 PL Draw 1 - 1 Armstrong

Bolton scored the first goal at their new Reebok Stadium after two previous scoreless draws. They went ahead with a penalty after twenty minutes but substitute Chris Armstrong brought Spurs level in the second half and Ian Walker played a big part in Spurs taking a point from this match - described in one match report as 'the only Spurs player who can take any credit'.

A Long Time Ago:

Spurs won their first two League games at Bolton. The clubs met in Tottenham's first season in the Football League in January, 1909. It was a 2nd Division match which Spurs won thanks to a goal from Bobby Steel. Both clubs gained promotion at the end of that season but when they met in the 1st Division in April, 2010 in the penultimate match of the season it was a relegation battle. Spurs triumphed with two goals by Percy Humphreys and that victory saw Bolton relegated but Spurs survived by beating Chelsea the following week. That result saw Chelsea go down with Humphreys scoring the winner against his former club. Spurs then lost their next six matches at Bolton.

Redknapp to Miss Out as England Manager

2012-04-30T12:07:00.000+01:00

After three months of intensive speculation and scrutiny where every match was viewed as an extended audition for the England manager's post, the Football Association have announced that they have been granted permission by West Bromwich Albion to interview their manager, Roy Hodgson, for the England position.

So Harry Redknapp, the 'Darling of the Media', the 'people's Champion' and the players' favourite appears to have missed out on his 'dream' appointment and what he often described as an opportunity he would find difficult to turn down. Harry Redknapp has become like Brian Clough in the 1970s, the manager everyone wanted in charge of England but the Football Association thought otherwise.

It seemed to be no co-incidence, back in February, that the Football Association arranged their crucial meeting with their former manager, Fabio Capello, for late in the day when Harry Redknbapp's court case would come to a conclusion. Having failed to reach agreement with Capello over the John Terry captaincy issue, the manager's departure and the clamour from the media, players and public placed Redknapp in yet another spotlight with him the overwhelming favourite to take over the reins in time to lead the England team in this summer's Euro Championships in Poland and Ukraine.

The Football Association in what was seen as an attempt to avoid disrupting a club in mid-season waited in making any approach for the appointment and put Stuart Pearce in temporary charge. There were, however, only two names thought likely to be under consideration - Harry Redknapp and Roy Hodgson. Such was the focus on Redknapp that his every move and decision at Tottenham was questioned with regard to the England position.

Distraction to the Tottenham Season?
As time passed, Redknapp's position and his famed man-management skills started to take a hammering as the Spurs' form dipped and people queried his tactics and team selections. Since the departure of Capello, Spurs' win over Blackburn Rovers was only their third success in eleven Premier League matches and there have been some unflattering results along the way. Everything was great as Spurs thrashed Newcastle United in the immediate aftermath of the court case but then they failed to overcome League 1 team Stevenage in the FA Cup, needing a replay to progress. Having taken a two goal lead before half-time against Arsenal, Spurs conceded twice before the interval and in the second half were unable to stem the flow against a revitalised home team. This was followed by a 3 - 1 defeat against a lack-lustre Manchester United at White Hart Lane and so the results continued to slip and Spurs who in mid-February had seemed assured of a Champions League place had slipped to sixth ahead of the Blackburn match. They also were humiliated in the FA Cup semi-final when Chelsea scored five at Wembley. None of these results looked good on any hypothetical application for the England position. Along with the results question arose concerning tactics, the preparation for matches, January transfer dealings at the club and player rotation which culminated in rumours of player dissatisfaction. As time passed, the situation worsened for Redknapp with the possibility of managing England in the summer an obvious distraction for him and the club.

The West Ham Connection
While Harry Redknapp was considered to be the FA's favoured choice with their Chairman, David Bernstein, frequently photographed attending Spurs' matches or present at games which Redknapp was at as part of his Tottenham duties, there was no official comment on the position but it was known that there was one dissenting voice within the heriarchy at the Football Association, Sir Trevor Brooking. From his time at West Ham United, he is no supporter of Harry Redknapp and may have been voicing disquiet at such an appointment and even, perhaps, favouring Roy Hodgson.

The Long Drawn Out Process
The result of this lengthy process is that Roy Hodgson will probably become the new England manager in the not too distant future. This appointment suits the FA as the cheaper option as Hodgson is out of contract at West Bromwich Albion in the summer with no compensation to be paid. Tottenham would, however, have required payment for the release of Redknapp from his contract and Daniel Levy is well known for his difficult and protracted negotiations.

Spurs disappointing run since February would appear to have gone against Redknapp while Hodgson's difficulties at Liverpool have been overlooked. Redknapp would have brought flair to an England team while Hodgson will provide a well organised team, as he has done at Fulham and West Bromwich but will the experienced international players respond to this in the same way as a club side? Hodgson's experience of international football and tournament play may have given him an advantage over Redknapp but if he doesn't bring some semblance of success to the team in the Euro2012, there will be complaints all round.

What of Tottenham?
Uncertainty has been the key-word at Tottenham for the past number of months. It was considered almost a certainty that Redknapp would be off and tentative plans would have been put in place for his replacement. There has been constant media speculation around players at the club - Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Kyle Walker would be on many clubs wanted list, while Aaron Lennon, Younes Kaboul, Sandro and Rafael Van der Vaart would attract interest if uncertainty continues at the club and especially if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League competition.

Other players within the squad are nearing the end of their careers through age or with injury issues - both goalkeepers, Brad Friedel and Carlo Cudicini, are veterans while Ledley King and William Gallas both have injury issues and can not be relied on to play regularly. The January transfer signings, Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen were only short-term options and have no future at the club. Emmanuel Adebayor will probably be off as Spurs can not match his wage demands and Jermain Defoe is unhappy about his restricted opportunities. There could be considerable scope for change at White Hart Lane during the summer but will Harry Redknapp be there to oversee it? There have been suggestions that even if he didn't get the England post, that he would be on his way out in the summer - only time will tell.

The protracted period of waiting to replace Capello has worked well for the Football Association but Tottenham have come out of the process badly. Their manager has been distracted or to put it into Redknapp footballing speak, 'he had his head turned' by the thought of managing his country and Spurs' season has fallen away as a consequence. From a potential title challenge they slipped through the certainty of a third place finish and a guaranteed Champions League place to scrapping to hold fourth and the possibility of qualification as long as Chelsea fail to win the trophy next month.

With three matches to go, Harry Redknapp and Spurs know what they need to do - set aside all distractions that have come about through speculation on the England manager's position and players' future plans and concentrate on winning the games at Bolton and Aston Villa and winning the final game of the season against Fulham at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham 2 Blackburn Rovers 0

2012-04-29T21:15:00.000+01:00

Spurs comfortable win over relegation fearing Blackburn restored their grip on fourth place in the Premier League having slipped to sixth after Chelsea's win over Queen's Park Rangers earlier in the day. A goal in each half secured the points with Kyle Walker's strike from a free-kick the outstanding memory from one of Spurs' easiest and most one-sided Premier League victories.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 Blackburn Rovers 0

Scorers: Van der Vaart, Walker

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Kaboul, Rose; Lennon (Giovanni), Sandro (Livermore), Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart (Defoe); Adebayor Subs: (unused) Cudicini, King, Nelsen, Saha

Spurs won a game which they totally dominated with Blackburn unable to make even one attempt on goal during the ninety minutes. Spurs controlled the game and were given the time to pass the ball around at will and the only disappointment was that they failed to capitalise on the visitor's lack of ambition and score some more goals.

Younes Kaboul, Danny Rose, Aaron Lennon and Emmanuel Adebayor started in place of Ledley King, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Scott Parker and Jermain Defoe who had played against Queen's Park Rangers. King and Defoe were on the bench while Assou-Ekotto and Parker were injured.

Spurs started quickly and could have scored inside a minute when Luka Modric's cross found its way to the back post but Lennon put his shot into the side netting. A few minutes later Sandro made a powerful run into the penalty area but was unfortunate that as he fell after being tackled, the ball struck him and went out for a goal kick. After seven minutes good play between Modric and Adebayor found Sandro whose powerful shot from the edge of the box struck the bar.

Blackburn were posing no threat and Spurs continued to dominate but without creating any clear goal scoring opportunities. After twenty two minutes, the breakthrough came when Lennon's cross from the right was headed against the bar by Bale and while Adebayor and Rafael Van der Vaart seemed to get in each other's way, Van der Vaart managed to give Spurs the lead.

Almost immediately, Spurs had the opportunity to increase their lead with a quick break in a three against three situation but Lennon who carried the ball from his own half shot over instead of putting Bale or Adebayor into a scoring position.

After half an hour the stats showed Spurs to have had 71% possession and 6 attempts on goal to the visitors none. This total Tottenham possession continued and a good move on the left between Modric and Rose ended with the full back through on goal but Paul Robinson was out quickly at Rose's feet to smother the danger. William Gallas struck the bar with a header from a corner, three minutes before the interval.

The second half continued with the same pattern of Rovers pulling eleven men back into defence and Spurs passing the ball about as if it were a practice match. Brad Friedel had a very comfortable afternoon and was untroubled in his 301st consecutive Premier League match. With such dominance the match lacked urgency and Spurs didn't really threaten Robinson's goal but with fifteen minutes remaining Kyle Walker brought White Hart Lane to life.

Spurs were awarded a free-kick in the centre of the pitch about thirty yards out. Rovers lined up a wall with Van der Vaart looking as if he was once again taking responsibility for the set-piece. Then, Walker stepped up and curled a shot around the wall and past Robinson, giving the former Spurs goalkeeper no chance. It was Walker's second goal for Spurs - the PFA Young Player of the Year doesn't go in for ordinary run of the mill goals, with his first having been the winner against Arsenal earlier in the season. This goal gave Spurs the comfort zone they needed to see out the rest of the game without any trouble.

In ninety plus minutes Rovers had one corner and no attempts on goal, a very strange performance from a team needing the points to avoid relegation. Spurs had 71% possession with 17 goal attempts and five on target. Spurs have now won their last six matches against Blackburn.

Now its on to the Reebox Stadium on Wednesday evening where Spurs will face another team with relegation worries but it will be a much sterner test against Bolton.

Spurs 5 Blackburn 2 Match Report - May, 1965

2012-04-28T17:13:00.000+01:00

A memorable match at White Hart Lane saw Spurs defeat Blackburn 5 - 2 in season 1964 - 65 when they were undefeated at home but won only one away game all season. Norman Giller's match report from the Daily Express highlights the need for consistent goalscorers in a successful team.

Friday, 16th April, 1965

(from the Daily Express)

THIS No. 7

GREAVES
IS GREAT

By NORMAN GILLER

Spurs 5 Blackburn 2 ****

Three goals from Alan Gilzean

and two from Jimmy Greaves

tell their own story of another

slaughter by the mighty G-men

of Tottenham.

This was Gilzean's first three-

goal show for Spurs - but it

could not rob Greaves of the

match-star rating.

The news from White Hart Lane

for Alf Ramsey, England manager:

There is a better right winger in the

League than Liverpool's Peter

Thompson.

He is Greaves by name and

destructive by nature.

Greaves played on the right wing

because of an injury to Cliff Jones.

And Greaves was magnificent.

He scored twice, helped create

two for Gilzean - and was robbed

of a third in the 88th minute

when signalled off-side after netting

what looked to me to be a perfect goal.

Blackburn? They were never

in the game in the first half and

made an impact on only rare

occasions in the second.

Gilzean's 77th-minute goal was

the best. He cleverly put the

finishing touches to a four-man

move involving Eddie Clayton,

Roy Low and, inevitably, Greaves.

The G-men's other goals:

Gilzean (14 and 44 minutes),

Greaves (22, 83).

Blackburn came briefly but brilliantly

into the game with goals by

Bryan Douglas (46) and Andy

McEvoy (49)

Team: Jennings; Knowles, Henry; Mullery, Brown, L., Clayton; Greaves, Low, Saul, Gilzean, Weller

The win over Blackburn Rovers took Spurs to 5th place in the 1st Division, a point behind Everton, after thirty nine games. The top three teams, Leeds United, Chelsea and Manchester United, however, were ten plus points ahead.

Spurs ended the 1964 - 65 season with five consecutive wins scoring 25 goals.
Their home record for the season was:

P 21 W 18 D 3 L 0 For 65 Ag 20

They finished the season in 6th place and it is the only occasion that Spurs have gone through a complete season undefeated at home.

Spurs Home Record Against Blackburn Rovers

2012-04-28T17:09:00.000+01:00

A record stating that Tottenham have won their last five matches against Blackburn Rovers is always a worrying statistic for a Spurs fan. For most clubs that would be something to build on and boost confidence but for Spurs in their current fragile state it could become another burden too heavy to carry even against a relegation threatened Blackburn team who have only won once in their last six Premier League matches. Spurs, of course, have only one win in their last nine games.

Spurs Home League Record against Blackburn Rovers (inc PL)

P 47 W 30 D 7 L 10 For 110 Ag 60

Home Premier League Record

P 17 W 9 D 3 L 5 For 25 Ag 22

Spurs have won the last five games against Blackburn.

22nd Oct. 2011 PL (a) Won 2 - 1 Van der Vaart (2)

A goal in each half from Rafael Van der Vaary secured the points for Spurs at Ewood Park as they extended their unbeaten run to six matches. Match Report

2nd Feb. 2011 PL (a) Won 1 - 0 Crouch

A headed goal by Peter Crouch after three minutes from a long diagonal cross by Rafael Van der Vaart brought Spurs the win which enabled Spurs to complete the 'double' over their northern opponents.

Last Match at White Hart Lane

13th Nov. 2010 PL (h) Won 4 - 2 Bale (2), Pavlyuchenko, Crouch

Spurs were two ahead at the interval, having missed a penalty, and had added another two in the opening half hour of the second half. Blackburn's late goals with one from current Spurs player, Ryan Nelsen, brought some respectability to the scoreline, although Spurs contributed to the goals with poor defensive play.

13th Mar. 2010 PL (h) Won 3 - 1 Defoe, Pavlyuchenko (2)

Jermain Defoe gave Spurs the lead on the interval. Roman Pavlyuchenko scored a second ten minutes into the second half. With ten minutes to go Rovers pulled one back through their former captain, Samba, but Pavlyuchenko restored Spurs' advantage five minutes later.

19th Dec. 2009 PL (a) Won 2 - 0 Crouch (2)

After a difficult first half, Crouch gave Spurs the lead on half-time. Spurs battled in the second half to maintain their lead which Crouch increased with a good goal, with seven minutes remaining.

23rd Nov. 2008 PL (h) Won 1 - 0 Pavlyuchenko

A goal after ten minutes was sufficient for Spurs to take the three points as they recovered from the previous week's defeat at Fulham, their first defeat under Harry Redknapp.

28th Oct. 2007 PL (h) Lost 1 - 2 Keane (pen)

Martin Jol's sacking in midweek with Clive Allen in temporary charge and Juande Ramos waiting in the wings was the background to Rovers last win at White Hart Lane. Robbie Keane had given Spurs an early second half lead from the penalty spot. Blackburn drew level on the hour and took the points with a late goal from Samba.

10th May, 2007 PL (h) Draw 1 - 1 Defoe

The penultimate match of the season was played on a Thursday evening and the point took Spurs closer to European qualification. Rovers went ahead in the first half but Defoe equalised with over twenty minutes remaining. Spurs ended the season in fifth and a Europa League place.

5th Mar. 2006 PL (h) Won 3 - 2 Keane (2), Mido

Spurs were battling to take fourth place in the Premier League and two goals by Keane gave them the advantage in the first half but Rovers pulled a goal back before the interval. They drew level as Spurs withstood a second half onslaught but took the points with a goal by Mido. The match is remembered for Keane's first goal as he juggled the ball as he made his way in along the touch line before scoring.

14th May, 2005 PL (h) Draw 0 - 0

Spurs' hopes of a UEFA Cup place were dashed as they failed to beat a stubborn Blackburn side in the final match of the season.

8th May, 2004 PL (h) Won 1 - 0 Defoe

In what had been a difficult season with Spurs at one point fearing relegation, they won their last home match through an early Defoe goal. David Pleat's spell as caretaker manager was coming to an end with Spurs having searched for a new manager from September when Glenn Hoddle was sacked.

11th May, 2003 PL (h) Lost 0 - 4

The final game of the season ended a poor period for Spurs who lost three of their last four matches, conceding 11 goals. It was Teddy Sheringham's farewell game but disappointed fans showed their frustrations against Glenn Hoddle, the team and the Board with many throwing their season tickets on to the pitch at the end.

Memorable Home Match against Blackburn

16th April, 1964 1st Div. (h) Won 5 - 2 Greaves (2), Gilzean (3)

The first of the three Easter fixtures on Good Friday, saw Spurs win comfortably with the 'G'-men at their very best. Jimmy Greaves and Alan Gilzean sharing the goals as Gilzean, signed the previous December, scoring his first hat-trick for the club. Match report from the Daily Express.

This match was the fourth in a remarkable run of five home games at the end of the 1964 - 65 season when Spurs scored 25 goals, conceding 9. They were undefeated at home throughout the season but won only once away from home. In the final five matches they defeated Blackpool 4 - 1, Wolves 7 - 4, Liverpool 3 - 0, Blackburn 5 - 2 and Leicester 6 - 2.

In the third of the Easter games at Ewood Park on Easter Monday, Spurs lost 1 - 3, having lost by a single goal at Sheffield Wednesday on the Saturday - and the current players are feeling fatigue?