Spurs - West ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
By MattoftheSpurs
March 2 2007
Tottenham travel the short distance East across London for the local derby with relegation haunted West Ham United. Tottenham coming off the back of three excellent wins (Fulham (FA Cup), Everton and Bolton) are the bookies favourites
West Ham United versus Tottenham Hotspur.
The Boleyn Ground.
FA Premier League.
4th March 2007
Kick Off 4.00pm
Live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD.
Tottenham travel the short distance East across
West Ham currently sit 19th in the league table nine points from Wigan Athletic who are in the safety zone. Tottenham Hotspur currently occupy 9th position 4 points from 6th place and a guaranteed UEFA Cup spot in next seasons competition.
The Boleyn Ground has not been the happiest of hunting grounds for Spurs. Their first visit their resulted in a 1-2 defeat in the 1919-1920 season, a season which saw Spurs finish top of their division whilst the Hammers finished 7th.
In the intervening years Tottenham have entertained West ham at the Boleyn on 53 occasions, winning 15, drawing 14, and losing 25. Spurs have recorded 71 goals to West ham United's 82 in that time.
The last ten years have seen Spurs take but one solitary victory from the league meetings, a 1-0 win in season 2001/02. Les Ferdinand was on target that day.
The last ten years reads;
2005/06 Lost 1-2 (Defoe)
2004/05 ---- WHUFC in Championship
2003/04 ---- WHUFC in Championship
2002/03 Lost 0-2
2001/03 Won 1-0 (Ferdinand)
2000/01 Drew 0-0
1999/00 Lost 0-1
1998/99 Lost 1-2 (Armstrong)
1997/98 Lost 1-2 (Ferdinand)
1996/97 Lost 3-4 (Sheringham, Anderton & Howells).
As always the West Ham faithful are up for this one, as they usually are when a big club of Tottenham's stature visit. As always the tension is heightened due to the high volume of players playing against their old clubs. Jemaine Defoe will be welcomed back with opened arms as usual and a similar welcome will be accorded to Matthew Etherington, Bobby Zamora, and Paul Konchesky. Only Teddy Sheringham will actually be greeted by both fans with anything nearing affection.
Tottenham will be without the services of Ledley King (foot) and Robbie Keane (suspended) for the occasion whilst West Ham welcome back the services of the much loved (by his Mother (probably)) Lee Bowyer. Matthew Upson and Lucas Neill could miss this match due to them being too busy spending their wages and laughing at the Eggman.
Tough one to call, this. Spurs should stroll it. West Ham have been awful of late, never more so than in their last league game where they shipped 4 goals to the relegation brothers Charlton Athletic. But there is a but !. The Hammers like nothing more than to put one over on their more illustrious neighbours from the North of town. The atmosphere will be jumping inside the ground (and unfortunately outside as well) and the Hammers fans will be desperate for a win. Not only for the 3 valuable points but also to save on their phone bills as they have been calling into Radio 5's 606 show in their droves recently.
Tottenham are also in desperate need of the points. 3 points on Sunday will see Spurs leap to within touching distance of the elusive 6th spot in the league. Any kind of win is invaluable to both teams at the moment. Weak hearts need not apply.
Come on you SPURS!