Swansea have never won in the League at White Hart Lane - Spurs have won their last ten home matches against Swansea and will be hoping to maintain that record as they endeavour to hunt down Arsenal and a third place finish to the season. Swansea were difficult opponents on New Year's Eve at the Liberty Stadium and will again be looking to upset Spurs in their first season in the Premier League which sees them in tenth position with 39 points.
Added interest to the game is the media speculation that the Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers, may be a candidate for the position at White Hart Lane, should Harry Redknapp accept an offer to manage England. My view on such an appointment is that while Rodgers has had an excellent season with Swansea, I'd prefer to see how he copes next season when opponents have a better understanding of how his team will play.
Home League Record against Swansea
P 13 W 11 D 2 L 0 For 42 Ag 10
Last Home League Match against Swansea
Feb. 1983 1st Div. Won 1 - 0 Crooks
Swansea were relegated after only two seasons in the 1st Division while Spurs were to finish fourth behind Liverpool, Watford and Manchester United. Having lost in Swansea earlier in the season Spurs were grateful to the Garth Crooks goal which gave them the three points, heading in from a cross by Terry Gibson.
Previous League Matches at White Hart Lane
May, 1982 1st Div. Won 2 - 1 Brooke (2) (1 pen)
In their first season in the 1st Division Swansea, after winning promotion in three successive seasons, had a very credible year, finishing in 6th position. Spurs were fourth behind Liverpool, Ipswich and Manchester United with Arsenal fifth. Spurs had lost at Swansea in late September but two Garry Brooke goals won them the points at White Hart Lane.
Dec. 1949 2nd Div. Won 3 - 1 Bennett, Duquemin (2)
Spurs won promotion as Arthur Rowe's 'Push and Run' side with Bill Nicholson, Ron Burgess, Eddie Baily and Alf Ramsey started out on their way to two successive championships. Spurs fans were hard to please even in those days as they felt the team had an 'off-day'. Spurs hit the woodwork twice and had two near misses before Len Duquemin headed them into the lead after fifteen minutes. Swansea drew level after an hour but two rather fortunate goals, resulting from goalkeeping errors, scored by Les Bennett and Duquemin gave them the win.
Jan. 1947 2nd Div. Won 3 - 1 Bennett, Dix, Whitchurch
Swansea were relegated at the end of the season. Charlie Whitchurch was a winger who made eight League appearances for Spurs, scoring twice and his goal against Swansea was the second of these. He played in the next match which was to be his last for Spurs, being released at the end of the season.
Three Memorable Wins
Nov. 1931 2nd Div. Won 6 - 2 Davies (2), Hunt, O'Callaghan, W.Evans (2)
Spurs and Swansea first met in season 1928-29 and on two of their first three visits to White Hart Lane, Swansea earned a point. That changed, however, in 1931-32, when they suffered a heavy defeat to a Spurs side which scored 87 League goals that year. It was a memorable day for Willie Evans who made his debut at outside-left (left wing), scoring twice. George Hunt, 'Taffy' O'Callaghan and Willie Davis (2) scored the other goals. It could have been worse for Swansea, Port Vale were the next visitors and they lost 9 - 3.
Dec. 1932 2nd Div. Won 7 - 0 O'Callaghan, Hunt (2), Greenfield (2), W. Evans (2) (1 pen)
Swansea's next visit was even worse as Spurs headed towards promotion, finishing second behind Stoke City. George Greenfield who scored twice was a young player but having become established in the team, he broke his leg in the next match against Fulham and never fully recovered. Willie Davies scored 28 goals in the League, eleven from the penalty spot.
Nov. 1935 2nd Div. Won 7 - 2 Fulwood (pen), Morrison (2), G.W.Hall (3), W.Evans
Swansea were not finding White Hart lane a welcoming ground with their third successive heavy defeat. Although the personnel had changed from the earlier matches, Spurs remained dominant and were 3 - 1 ahead at the interval. Willie Davies who had scored twice for Spurs in 1931 was now with Swansea and played on their right wing. This wasn't Spurs biggest home win of the season as they defeated Southampton 8 - 0 the following March.
Spurs will be looking for a win tomorrow to draw level on points with Arsenal but a win similar to the 1930s results would be very acceptable and enable them to reclaim third on goal difference. Here's hoping.
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