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Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Premier Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 10 5 2 3 12- 10 17
Away 10 3 2 5 12- 14 11
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Total (Prem) 20 8 4 8 24- 25 28
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Football League
Home (Div 1) 33 17 7 9 65- 51 47
Away (Div 1) 33 9 9 15 45- 54 29
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Total (Div 1) 66 26 16 24 110-105 76
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Football League
Home (Div 2) 10 4 4 2 18- 13 12
Away (Div 2) 10 3 3 4 13- 12 9
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Total (Div 2) 20 7 7 6 31- 25 21
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Total (Prem) 20 8 4 8 24- 25 28
Total (Div 1) 66 26 16 24 110-105 76
Total (Div 2) 20 7 7 6 31- 25 21
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Grand Total 106 41 27 38 165-155 125
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This match will be the 106th League clash between the two clubs since
Spurs first met them for Football League points in season 1919-20. The
Hammers, as they are popularly known were originally founded in 1895 as
Thames Ironworks but reformed under their present name in 1900, having
joined the Southern League at the start of season 1899-1900. Spurs first
met West Ham United in the Southern League during 1900-01. Their record
is:
Southern League
Home (Div 1) 8 4 2 2 11- 8 10
Away (Div 1) 8 4 2 2 11- 7 10
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Total(Div 1) 16 8 4 4 22- 15 20
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At the moment, the Hammers look doomed to relegation, despite the fact they
beat West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon. All is not well in the West Ham
camp as Di Canio appears to have decided that his great love affair with West
Ham is over. He was visibly annoyed when he was substituted three minutes
into the second half on Sunday. The TV cameras homed in on him as he volubly
addressed Glenn Roeder as he stormed to the bench. The fact remains that,
whatever Di Canio thinks, West Ham were more effective without him. They
won 2-1 thanks to two good goals by Sinclair, which has put them within
striking distance of the clubs above them.
West Ham's biggest problems this season has been due to the inability of their
defenders to impose themselves on the opposition's strikers. There seems to
be a degree of discordancy between James and the back four. This was brought
into sharp focus on Sunday when James was seen confronting Repka after a
series of mistakes by Repka had placed West Ham under pressure.
If West Ham do avoid relegation, it will be due in part to the continued good
form of a goalkeeper once nicknamed 'Calamity' James. He has, in the past,
been as clumsy as the famous Gary Sprake, although James has never thrown
the ball into his own goal by mistake ... as yet.
West Ham's squad remains an enigma. On paper, they have a fairly strong squad
with players such as Carrick and Joe Cole playing in midfield. Cole, in fact,
reminds me of the great Trevor Brooking at his best but with more strength
and power. What they lack most is a ballwinner in midfield of the kind that
Billy Bonds used to be. Lomas is a hard working player but is not in Bonds'
class.
Spurs need to be more focussed than they were on Monday night. It is true to
say that the early departure of Poyet disrupted them but they played for
nearly an hour with an extra player following Taylor's dismissal. Had Keane
been playing, I am sure we would have beaten Fulham. Acimovic made the miss
of the night, which is hardly likely to endear him to the fans.
Spurs have been somewhat better on the road this season and West Ham
will feel the pressure more. If Spurs can ride the early storm, I am confident
that Spurs can nick the points on Saturday. But they do need to be patient and
to concentrate more than they have done at times this season.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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