Tottenham Legends

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

Scott Parker on his time at Spurs

Scott Parker was a signing which not only caused disagreement between the manager and Chairman but one which did not find total approval among supporters.  However, since his arrival at the end of August Spurs have gone on an undefeated Premier League run which has lifted the club to third place and Parker is rightly receiving credit for his part in that transformation.

Scott Parker - leading by example

Harry Redknapp was adamant that he wanted to sign Scott Parker last summer but the season started with Parker turning out for West Ham in the Championship.  It was only as the transfer period drew to  close that the two clubs came to an arrangement and Spurs signed last season's Footballer of the Year for a fee of £5 million.  Many fans were not overly enthusiastic about the signing as Parker, now aged thirty one, had had previous opportunities to sign for the club but had always ended up elsewhere.  Many, like the Chairman, thought he was too old and that his best days were past him.  Parker, has however, proved all the doubters wrong with midfield performances that had Harry Redknapp recalling the 1960s when that Spurs legend, Dave Mackay reigned supreme at White Hart Lane.

Many new players arriving at Tottenham take a long time to settle but Parker managed to settle from day one as was shown in his debut against Wolves and has gone on to develop a very effective partnership with Luka Modric which has brought a control and strength to Tottenham's midfield.

Speaking after Saturday's win over Bolton, Parker acknowledged that he has settled quickly into his new club.

Parker who captained the side in the absence of the injured Ledley King said, "I needed to hit the floor running when I came here in the summer.  I needed to make a good impression and feel I have done that."

Since his arrival Spurs have enjoyed an unbeaten sequence in the Premier League, winning a record sixth consecutive Premier League game and equalling their best run, undefeated in eleven matches.  Parker, like Emmanuel Adebayor, have yet to experience defeat since arriving at White Hart Lane and Spurs are now third, only two points behind Manchester United with a match in hand.

Parker continued, "I don't think I've played in a team that plays better football than this one.  There are some very good players, not just in the team but in the squad.  There is a lot of pace and we have got a consistency to our game.  When you are up there you need to grind out results even when you are not playing well.  We have done that, especially last week at West Brom and before that at Fulham where we didn't play well but got three points."

"On our day we can beat anyone.  Confidence is the key."

Parker is a combative midfielder who enjoys a battle and reminds many older observers of a cross between Mackay and Alan Mullery.  He is a presence in the centre of the field, covering for other players, winning the ball and passing it on to Modric but also prepared to get forward himself.  He harries players, putting them under pressure and forcing mistakes as happened with Gary Cahill on Saturday.  He also inspires those around him to follow his example and work harder as has been witnessed by Adebayor's willingness to come back and fight for the ball, especially helping out in the away matches where Spurs have found themselves under pressure.

Scott Parker has proved a very important part of Harry Redknapp's plan for this Tottenham team and while he may not always lead the team out on to the field, his performances have been as of a captain.

Scott Parker the 'New' Dave Mackay

Scott Parker had high praise lavished on him after Tottenham's victory over Queen's Park Rangers when his manager compared his display with that of the Spurs' legend from the successful era of the 1960s, Dave Mackay.  Parker was thoroughly deserving of his 'Man of the Match' award for an all round performance that allowed Spurs to showcase all their skills as they overcame their west London rivals.

Scott Parker - the 'new' Mackay

Since joining Tottenham at the end of the summer transfer window, Scott Parker has played in seven Premier League games and helped Spurs to six wins and a draw.  That sequence of results followed on from the two heavy defeats by the Manchester clubs when they conceded eight goals.  At the end of the home loss to City, Spurs looked a thoroughly demoralised and dispirited side.

Throughout the summer, Harry Redknapp made it clear that Parker was the player he really wanted to sign but the transfer saga dragged on to the bitter end with neither Spurs or West Ham willing to come to an agreement.  Then  other teams became interested and it looked as if Parker would once again complete a transfer but not to White Hart Lane.  Coming from West Ham, Parker was not every Spurs supporters favourite player and even though he'd won the Player of the Year award last season, many weren't convinced about this thirty year old.  However, he signed on the last day of August and has brought experience and an authority to central midfield.  With his style of play, Parker's presence in midfield has granted Luka Modric a greater freedom to use his sublime creative skills further up the pitch to the benefit of the attacking force of Rafael Van der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon.

Composed on the ball, determined when not in possession, tough in the tackle and careful in his distribution, Parker has brought a decade of Premier League experience to White Hart Lane and the team has a much better balance in its play.  Parker captained the side at Blackburn in the absence of the injured Ledley King and even without the armband he leads by example, going in where it hurts and not afraid to hold back when looking to win the ball.  His reading of the game enables him to intercept passes that could have led to dangerous situations if the move  had been completed and his energy throughout is such that he appears 'out on his feet' before the end of a gruelling match.

On Saturday, Tottenham displayed all their attacking skills and freedom of movement, especially in the first half, as they took a two goal interval lead against QPR.  The second half was less swashbuckling as Rangers greatly increased their efforts but at the end while people discussed Tottenham's exciting, intricate and pacy attacking play, the excellent goals they scored and Gareth Bale's and Rafael Van der Vaart's contribution to the victory, there was a universal acknowledgement that it was Scott Parker's display which deserved the 'Man of the Match' award.

It's unusual after an exciting attacking performance with a player scoring twice, for the central, holding midfield player to be receiving such praise.  Even in the first half when Spurs were totally dominant Parker was putting in a hard working performance to win the ball, pass it on to an attacking player and then be there to disrupt any thoughts Rangers might have had on putting pressure on the Tottenham defence.  It was his endeavours throughout the game which allowed Spurs the freedom to attack on all fronts and he gave his best display in a Tottenham shirt, allowing everyone to see why Harry Redknapp was so insistent on signing him for Spurs.  If Tottenham had been more clinical in their finishing, Rangers could have suffered another heavy defeat.

Dave Mackay 'Legend'

To have been compared with the legendary Dave Mackay is an incredible accolade.  Spurs supporters are only too aware of the tremendous influence Mackay brought to the 'Double' team and he received a tremendous reception when presented to the crowd at White Hart Lane in the Europa League game against Hearts.  The success achieved during the 1960s was greatly dependent on his 'never say die' approach, his total commitment and his amazing skills.  Such praise from his manager will give Parker something to live up to but if he goes anywhere near achieving the standards of the great Scot, Spurs will have spent the £5 million they gave to West Ham United very wisely.

So often Spurs supporters think, 'If only we had Dave Mackay in the present team.'  If Harry Redknapp is correct we might have the next best thing, another Scott - Scott Parker.

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 8 (1963)

Tottenham had just failed to reach the Final of the previous season's European Cup competition but had qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup by retaining the FA Cup with a victory over Burnley at Wembley.  No British team had ever triumphed in a European competition so Tottenham's gave Spurs another first to add to their collection.

1963 European Cup Winners' Cup Final
Tottenham Hotspur 5 Atletico Madrid 1

Spurs Triumphant in Europe 

Dyson & Greaves

Tottenham had been disappointed not to have achieved the ultimate prize of lifting the previous season's European Cup and were rightly aggrieved at the nature of the semi-final dismissal by Benfica.  However, the FA Cup victory over Burnley assured them of another European campaign and another opportunity of Cup glory.  the journey to the Final in Rotterdam took in four countries - Scotland and the former countries of Czechoslavakia and Yugoslavia.

Road to the Final 
1st Round (1st Leg) v Glasgow Rangers (h) Won 5 - 2 Norman, Allen, White (2), Opp. o.g.
For the first game which had been built up as the 'Battle of Britain' only Bobby Smith was absent from the Tottenham which had successfully retained the FA Cup a few months earlier.  Les Allen was the automatic replacement and he showed his value to the team by scoring Spurs' third goal.  There was great rivalry ahead of this game with Spurs having three Scots in their team - Bill Brown, Dave Mackay and John White who had been so pivotal in Spurs' success of the previous two seasons.  

John White was the star of the night in a hard fought match which was all about pride.   He headed Spurs first goal after four minutes from a Jimmy Greaves corner but Rangers equalised five minutes later.  Another Greaves corner enabled White to head his second before Les Allen made it three. The Rangers defence were under pressure and conceded an own goal for 4-1 but almost immediately Rangers managed to score a second. Ten minutes from time another Greaves corner saw Maurice Norman score the fifth and final goal.  This result gave Spurs a comfortable lead to take to the second leg at Ibrox Park.

1st Round (2nd Leg) v Glasgow Rangers (a) Won 3 - 2 Smith (2), Greaves  (Agg. Won 8 - 4) 
Bobby Smith returned for this game and contributed two goals as Tottenham progressed to the next round and silenced the partisan Rangers fans in the 80,000 crowd packed in to Ibrox.  Jimmy Greaves started the misery for them after eight minutes when he scored Tottenham's first to give them an unassailable four goal aggregate advantage.  Bobby Smith, returning to the team for the first time since August, started the move which gave Spurs a lead they held until half-time.  However, two minutes after the interval Rangers levelled but three minutes later Spurs regained the lead through Smith who scored from White's cross.  With fifteen minutes remaining, Rangers again equalised but four minutes from time Smith completed the scoring and justified Bill Nicholson's decision to drop Allen.

2nd Round (1st Leg) v Slovan Bratislava (a) Lost 0 - 2
Tottenham were fortunate to get off so lightly in a game where they were out-classed and out-played.  Only two goals behind, they still had a chance to progress but it could have been so much worse.  Tony Marchi replaced the injured Danny Blanchflower who had been missing since the win in Glasgow.  Frank Saul replaced Terry Medwin on the right with instructions to work back in defence if it wasn't going well for Spurs.  On a heavy, muddy pitch Spurs found themselves a goal down after half an hour and two behind ten minutes into the second half.  Fortunately, the home side were satisfied with that scoreline and failed to take the extra goals that were there for the taking as Bill Brown made a number of important saves to keep Spurs in the tie.

2nd Round (2nd Leg) v Slovan Bratislava (h) Won 6 - 0  
                               Mackay, White, Smith, Greaves (2), Jones       (Agg. Won 6 - 2)

Tottenham opened determined to put the visitors under intense pressure from the outset but it wasn't until a nine minute spell after half an hour that saw them regain the initiative in this tie at White Hart Lane.  They had taken the visitors by storm with Mackay from the front but the goalkeeper had kept Smith and Jones at bay.  Mackay pulled one goal back from near the by-line after thirty one minutes, then Greaves levelled the score and Smith put them ahead, ten minutes before half-time.  White Hart Lane which had been in a frenzy was now rocking.  In the second half, Mel Hopkins who was playing in place of peter Baker, hit the cross bar.  Twenty minutes in Greaves scored his second and with fifteen minutes remaining Cliff Jones and White both scored within a minute.  Spurs were in  the semi-finals.

Semi-Final (1st Leg) v OFK Belgrade (a) Won 2 - 1 White, Dyson

Spurs returned to London with a goal advantage from the first game thanks to a goal from Terry Dyson, twenty minutes from time.  By then Spurs had been playing with ten men for fifteen minutes after the shock of having had Jimmy Greaves dismissed for the first time in his career.  He was dismissed for kicking out at a Belgrade defender and became the first Tottenham player to be sent off in a competitive match for nearly forty years.  However, Spurs with ten men were even more accomplished and deservedly took a lead into the second leg match.  

John Smith played in midfield in place of Cliff Jones and Terry Dyson returned on the left wing.  John White had put Tottenham ahead after twenty six minutes of the first half only for OFK to level from a penalty nine minutes before the break.  Tottenham had one foot in the Final with the home leg to come.

Semi-Final (2nd Leg) v OFK Belgrade (h) Won 3 - 1 Mackay, Smith, Jones  (Agg. Won 5 - 2)

Danny Blanchflower had returned to fitness and captained a side without the suspended Greaves.  Marchi retained his place with Mackay moving forward and scoring the first goal.  Jones returned on the right wing with John Smith dropping out.  While the scoreline suggests comfortable progress to the Final, it was far from it with the Spurs defence putting in an heroic performance.  Mackay was everywhere - stopping OFK one moment, then creating and scoring the next.  Spurs took the lead after half an hour, only for the visitors to level six minutes later.  In the midst of all the Totenham anxiety Blanchflower remained calm and from his controlled pass Mackay set up Dyson to score two minutes before half-time.  Spurs survived an early second half onslaught from OFK before Smith headed the third which secured the passage to the Final in Rotterdam.

Final v Atletico Madrid (Rotterdam) Won 5 - 1 Greaves (2), White, Dyson (2)

Tottenham went into the Final without Dave Mackay due to injury.  Tony Marchi stepped in but it was a player who rarely received recognition who stepped up and made himself a hero, Terry Dyson.  It is said that Bill Nicholson was too profuse in his praise of the Atletico players before the game but Blanchflower stepped forward and reminded everyone of the talent and achievements of Spurs in last three years.  Tottenham survived the nervous opening minutes and were two goals ahead by the interval through Greaves and White.  They conceded an early penalty in the second half but then Dyson came to the rescue, inspiring all around him.  Spurs weathered the expected storm and when Dyson scored the third after an hour, Spurs were on course once again.  Greaves quickly added a fourth following Dyson's cross and the left winger completed a wonderful for himself and Spurs by scoring the fifth.  Dyson had scored twice and created two other goals as Spurs became the first British team to win a European trophy - a great night to remember for the 4,000 who had travelled over for the game.

Terry Dyson

Terry Dyson was the unexpected hero on a great night for Spurs.  At the end of the game Bobby Smith jokingly suggested he should retire immediately as he'd never play as well again.  Dyson, a left winger, had joined Spurs in December, 1954 and made his League debut the following March against Sheffield United at White Hart Lane.  However, for the over six seasons he made only 37 appearances being understudy to George Robb, Terry Medwin and Cliff Jones.  

It was only at the start of the 1960 - 61 season that he managed to become a regular in the team, making 40 League and 7 Cup appearances, scoring 17 goals including the second goal of the Final against Leicester City, having created the first for Bobby Smith, as Spurs clinched the 'Double'.  He then lost his place in the team to Terry Medwin for the 1962 Final but regained it towards the end of the 1962 - 63 season.  In the semi-final and Final (three games) of the European Cup Winners' Cup competition Dyson scored three goals and created four.  It was a tremendous night for Tottenham and Terry Dyson and as he admits himself, it was the best game he ever played for Spurs.

Dyson remained at Tottenham until joining Fulham in the summer of 1965 for £5,000.  He made 209 League and Cup appearances for Spurs, scoring 55 goals.  He also holds the distinction of being the only Tottenham player to score a hat-trick against Arsenal.  He achieved that in August, 1962 in a 4 - 3 win at White Hart Lane. 

Tottenham's Joy of Winning the Cup 6 (1967)

From mid-January, 1967 through to the end of the season Tottenham went on an undefeated run which lifted them to third in the 1st Division and to the first all London FA Cup Final.  At Wembley they had too much for Chelsea and lifted the trophy for the fifth time.

1967 FA Cup Final
Chelsea 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Unsung Heroes Win Trophy for Spurs

Kinnear, Saul, England and Gilzean

While everyone was looking to Jimmy Greaves or Alan Gilzean to provide the winning goals for Tottenham at Wembley in the FA Cup Final, it was two of the lesser known players who scored the goals that took the trophy back to White Hart Lane.  Wingers, Jimmy Robertson and Frank Saul each scored a goal in each half to give Spurs a two goal lead and a late consolation for Chelsea was not enough to spoil Spurs' afternoon as they lifted the FA Cup for the fifth time in their history and for the third time in seven years.  Bill Nicholson had spent a large amount of money to recruit players in his rebuilding programme after the demise of the successful team of the early 1960s.  He had bought nearly an entire team - Pat Jennings, Cyril Knowles, Alan Mullery, Mike England, Jimmy Robertson, Alan Gilzean and Terry Venables had been purchased while Joe Kinnear and Frank Saul came through the youth system.  Only Dave Mackay, Jimmy Greaves and Cliff Jones remained from the team of the early 60s.


Road to Wembley:
3rd Round v Millwall (a) Draw 0 - 0 
Tottenham faced a difficult game against 2nd Division London rivals, Millwall, at their compact, hostile and muddy ground, The Den.  Spurs had chances to win but were relieved to return to White Hart Lane for the replay the following Wednesday evening.  Pat Jennings ensured that would happen with a number of important saves to earn the scoreless draw.

3rd Round Replay v Millwall (h) Won 1 - 0 Gilzean
Millwall made it difficult for Spurs in the replay at White Hart Lane and saw two chances cleared of the Spurs line.  Only a goal scored by Alan Gilzean separated the two teams and that came when Jimmy Greaves intercepted a back-pass to the goalkeeper who blocked his shot but the ball fell to Gilzean to knock in to an empty net. 

4th Round v Portsmouth (h) Won 3 - 1 Gilzean (2), Greaves 

Tottenham had to fight to get past Portsmouth and again found it difficult against opponents they were expected to turn aside with ease.  After a scoreless first half Gilzean headed the opening goal seven minutes after the interval and a minute added the second.  Ten minutes later Greaves scored an exquisite third while Portsmouth had to settle for a late consolation. 

5th Round v Bristol City (h) Won 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Another tie that Spurs should have won with ease was to prove very difficult.  In a dramatic opening, Dave Mackay could have been sent off but having survived that difficulty, Spurs went ahead through Greaves after ten minutes.  Throughout the half Spurs continued to attack but without adding to the score.  Early in the second half Bristol missed an opportunity to equalise and then missed a twice taken penalty.  Jennings saved the first attempt but the second effort was put wide by a different player.  In the final minute Spurs were awarded a penalty and Greaves showed Bristol how to score and gave Spurs a comfortable lead, if not a comfortable win.  

6th Round v Birmingham City (a) Draw 0 - 0
Tottenham's first sojourn from London and they found it quite a struggle against a very physical Birmingham side.  Neither side deserved to win but Spurs were grateful for a match saving save from Jennings towards the end. 

6th Round Replay v Birmingham City (h) Won 6 - 0 Venables (2), Greaves (2), Gilzean, Saul
Tottenham finally showed their quality to outclass Birmingham and reached the semi-final in style.  Terry Venables put them ahead inside two minutes and added a second after twenty.  Gilzean quickly headed a third and in the second half Greaves scored two more after fifty and seventy five minutes.  The final goal came from Frank Saul with three minutes remaining.  Saul had replaced Cliff Jones in the team for the game at Birmingham.  

Semi-Final v Nottingham Forest (at Hillsborough) Won 2 - 1 Greaves, Saul
The two teams vying for second and third places in the League were drawn together for this semi-final.  Expectations were high and no-one was disappointed with the quality of the football on display.  Forest dominated the early play but after half an hour Greaves put Spurs ahead with a vintage goal.  Spurs were determined to hold their lead and added to it through Saul midway through the second half.  Forest were stunned but roused themselves for a final flourish in the dying minutes and managed to pull one back but it was too little too late. 

FA Cup Final v Chelsea (at Wembley) Won 2 - 1 Robertson, Saul
Cup Finals can sometimes throw up unexpected heroes and so it was for Spurs with their two vital goals coming from Jimmy Robertson and Frank Saul.  The eagerly anticipated first all London FA Cup Final was an anti-climax and Chelsea failed to do themselves justice with their performance.  Tottenham were comfortable throughout and did what was required of them.  Greaves found himself closely marked by Ron Harris and so proved less effective in front of goal while Spurs prevented Charlie Cooke from having an influence on the game.   

Joe Kinnear had a starring role, attacking from the right full back position as Tottenham became the dominant team.  Towards the end of the first half, Alan Mullery picked up a quickly taken free-kick and ran towards the Chelsea goal.  The defenders, mindful of Greaves, backed off allowing Mullery time to shoot.  The ball was deflected to Robertson who hit it first time and scored.  

In the second half Spurs continued to be in control and added a second when Saul received the ball from Robertson.  With his back to goal, he turned and shot and scored.  'Glory! Glory!' to Spurs.

Chelsea managed a late goal when Jennings misjudged a cross but the Cup had been won by Tottenham for a fifth time.  That made it five FA Cup Finals for Spurs and five wins.  it wasn't the most memorable of Finals or performances by Tottenham but they had done what was required of them and Dave Mackay lifted the trophy and his third FA Cup winners medal. 

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery, England, Mackay; Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables, Saul.  Sub: (unused) Jones

Frank Saul

Frank Saul had progresses through the ranks at Tottenham and made his debut in the 'Double' winning season of 1960-61 at the age of seventeen.  He made six appearances that year, scoring three goals.  He continued as a useful reserve stepping in when more senior players were injured, including in European games, but never had the opportunity to stake a claim for a regular position.  At the start of 1964-65 he was given that chance and played more frequently over the next three seasons.  Towards the end of the Cup campaign he replaced Cliff  Jones in the team and held on to his place, playing in the four games from the 6th Round and scoring three goals.  

A hero in May but gone by January sums up Saul's career.  In total he made 116 appearances for Spurs and scored 37 goals but when Bil Nicholson looked to sign a new centre forward from Southampton, Frank Saul was used in part-exchange for Martin Chivers.

Bill Nicholson had seen his 'Double' winning team disintegrate with age, injury and death in the mid-60s and his rebuilding had taken longer that expected but the acquisition of Mike England and Terry Venables had added experience to the team.  Jennings, Knowles, Mullery and Robertson were now experienced players and he was looking to these players to provide the basis of his next successful era at Tottenham.  However, it didn't occur immediately and it would be another few years before Tottenham were able to reclaim a position at the top of English football.

Tottenham - A Winning Mentality

Do Spurs have that desire to win at any cost which the top clubs possess?  Those clubs have players who don't know what it is to be beaten and when they are, they don't like it.  That makes them stand out from all the other clubs around them but do the players at Tottenham have that same desire and winning mentality?

Is Scott Parker a Leader for Spurs?

Tottenham have always been regarded as a soft touch - a team who won't perform on a cold wet night in the north west.  Players will go missing and won't take responsibility when the going gets tough.  Do the current players have the desire to turn such opinions around?

Last year the team managed to gain 22 points from losing positions but they gained only 11 points out of a possible thirty from the bottom five teams in the Premier League which affected their final position dramatically.

The team has won their last two Premier League games but went out of the Carling Cup on penalties at Stoke.  The weakened team contained eight international players but they were unable to score in two hours of football and when it came to penalties their defeat was the sixth consecutive penalty shoot-out loss. When it came to the pressure of the shoot-out, it was an international striker, Roman Pavlyuchenko, who missed a crucial early strike so transferring the pressure to other less experienced players.  Similarly, the defeats in the Carling Cup Final and UEFA Cup match against PSV Eindhoven saw seasoned Premier League players with international experience miss vital kicks at a crucial time in the shoot-out, David Bentley and Jermaine Jenas.

Top teams regularly play under-strength sides in the early rounds of the domestic Cup competitions and have progressed to the latter stages, even going on to lift the Cup.  Tottenham's squad players aided by some talented youngsters weren't able to produce a similar result this week.

The victory at Wolves suggested greater application from the team against opposition who have proved difficult opponents since returning to the Premier League.  The win over Liverpool was pleasing in the energy that the players showed from the start taking the game to their visitors and not giving them a chance to control the game.  The four goal success was their largest win over Liverpool since 1963, so we shouldn't be too critical. However, the one question that has lingered in my mind since last Sunday is - should it have been more?

If things had been the other way round - Spurs at Anfield, reduced to nine men and three down with twenty five minutes remaining, would Liverpool have settled for four?  I suggest that they would have gone for the jugular and it would have been an even greater embarrassment than Liverpool felt last weekend.  Manchester United didn't settle for 5 - 1 or 6 - 2 against Arsenal they went for it and left the visitors totally shell-shocked.  Spurs, however, having gone three up and with Liverpool offering nothing, settled for playing 'keep ball' with pass after pass in midfield, not looking to create anything and Liverpool were content to let them do that as they weren't under any threat.  A team  with a winning mentality would have benn looking to create more chances, score more goals and make their opponents really suffer, as frequently happens to Spurs.  As it was Tottenham's fourth goal didn't come until the last kick of added time with Emmanuel Adebayor putting away Benoit Assou-Ekotto's cross.

Successful teams have players who lead by example and never know when they're beaten.  Steven Gerrard is the perfect example of that special type of player when he is wearing the 'red' of Liverpool.  He has pulled them through many 'lost' causes to success and they have an outstanding penalty-shoot record in vital European and Cup games.  Last season's defeat to Northampton Town at Anfield when Tottenham's Oscar Janssen was in goal for the visitors was an amazing 'blip' on an incredible record.  Manchester United had Roy Keane and Brian Robson who led by example, Livwerpool also had former Spur, Graeme Souness, but it is some time since Spurs had such a player in the team.

Graham Robers - a Leader

The most notable example is Dave Mackay from the 1960s with Graham Roberts and Paul Miller created from the same mould.  In Tottenham's UEFA Cup Final success in 1984, Roberts scored the equalising goal against Anderlecht and then led by example as captain on the night, by scoring the first penalty in the successful shoot-out.  Alan Mullery and Steve Perryman had similar qualities and were prepared to roll up their sleeves and get on with it when the going was difficult.  Who of recent Tottenham experience has had such a presence in the team?  William Gallas is certainly a 'winner' who doesn't take kindly to losing and on a number of occasions last year he showed that spirit when battling on with minor knocks and injuries bandaged or strapped up, rather than be substituted.

Harry Redknapp has often lamented the lack of a player with such character and qualities and the experience of Scott Parker was something that the manager felt would be of benefit to the current team.  A player prepared to fight for the right to play and not afraid to battle when things get tough.  He showed such leadership qualities while battling with West Ham last season.

The match against Wigan won't provide any conclusive answers but a defeat would further strengthen the argument that the Spurs players still lack a winning mentality while success would provide an indication that they might just be moving away from that 'soft' Londoners tag.

Scott Parker - Born to Play for Tottenham

Parker Joins Tottenham for £5 million

Throughout every transfer period players are linked with Tottenham Hotspur.  There are a number of players who are constantly connected with the club and are expected to sign for Spurs 'any day now'.  In most cases none of these players join the club but on this occasion one of them has finally been transferred to Spurs.  That player is Scott Parker - it has taken a long time for him to get to White Hart Lane but he has finally made it.

Scott Parker

Scott Parker has become a Tottenham Hotspur player at last.  On Tuesday, 31st August, 2011 after months of speculation and newspaper stories that he would be leaving West Ham United following their relegation and that he was more than likely going to sign for Spurs, it was confirmed by the club at 14.10, less than nine hours before the end of the summer transfer period, that a deal had been concluded.

This is not the first occasion that rumours were rife about Parker coming to White Hart Lane.  It has happened every time that he has moved club.  In January, 2004, after speculation over some years that he would leave Charlton Athletic, he signed for Chelsea.  Eighteen months later, having had little playing time at Stamford Bridge, he moved to Newcastle United.  After two years on Tyneside, he returned to London but not to Tottenham, instead, he signed for West Ham United.  On each occasion that he was transferred during that three and a half year period, the Tottenham manager at the time, Martin Jol, was very keen to get the signature of Scott Parker but to no avail.

Tottenham Hotspur have history for this - trying to sign the same player, transfer window after window.  In the past it has not always been successful.  In the mid-1990s, Gerry Francis pursued the transfer of Ramon Vega who clearly stated he didn't want to come to Tottenham.  However, in January, 1997, less than eight months later he was signed from Cagliari for £3.75million.  Vega wasn't the greatest player to pull on the white shirt of Tottenham although he did appear in the 1999 Worthington Cup Final.

Stewart Downing is another player who has often been linked with Spurs but has never signed.  While at Middlesbrough, there was such speculation of a transfer that when he played at White Hart Lane in an early season fixture, it was widely regarded by fans and media that that game would be his last for Boro before he signed for Tottenham during the final days of the August transfer period.  It didn't happen but the speculation was accurate enough because in an interview in the Sunday Times ahead of the match against Liverpool, he confirmed that there had been discussions that August, the following January and again the next summer, although by that time he was injured and Tottenham were reluctant to conclude a deal under such circumstances so he joined Aston Villa.

During recent transfer periods the names of many strikers have been in Tottenham's sights with reported offers having been made and rejected - the same names over and over again - Diego Forlan, Klass-Jan Huntelaar, Giuseppe Rossi - but none of them have signed.  At least this summer's deal for Scott Parker was completed  and on the evidence of his first two games for the club, he seems to be exactly what the team needs in midfield. 

Parker - the Midfield General

Scott Parker is very much the type of player Harry Redknapp likes to sign - a player he knows, someone with experience, a reliable player who will fit into the team, a player of character, a leader on the field and one who is combative but skilful as well.  Parker fits all of those categories and on the evidence of his first two matches for Spurs he looks as if he has been playing in the team for a lifetime.  He has linked very well with Luka Modric and has brought composure to central midfield where previous occupants have on occasions tended towards the 'headless chicken' approach - here, there and everywhere but not very effective or productive.  Didier Zakora brought a great deal of energy to midfield but much of it was wasted and while Wilson Palacios was combative, too often he gave away free-kicks or lost the ball with a poor pass.  Others, like Jermaine Jenas could on occasions go missing and the game passed him by and while Tom Huddlestone's great strength is his array of passing but his lack of pace and mobility were a handicap.

Parker appears to read the game well and can intercept passes before they reach their destination, he is combative without being over committed in the tackle which can lead to unnecessary tackles in dangerous positions and conceding unwanted free-kicks.  Parker's passing is controlled and while not the fastest player he is quite mobile around the pitch and links up well with the players around him.  Modric and he have have developed a good understanding of their combined role in the team and worked well together, giving Modric the freedom to go forward and be more creative in hi slink up play.

John White

Watching Parker in his first two games, his style of running reminds me of seeing football played in the mid-1960s and someone else suggested that he reminded them of the late, great John White who graced the 'Double' winning team before his tragic loss in 1964.  If Parker were to contribute half of what White brought to Tottenham, he would indeed be a great signing.  It is still early days in Parker's Spurs' career and only time will tell.

Captain Material?

Danny Blanchflower

It is many years since Tottenham have been captained by a player in midfield.  Many of the best Spurs teams have had midfield players as their captain - Ron Burgess, Danny Blanchflower, Dave Mackay, Alan Mullery, Martin Peters and Steve Perryman in his early days.  The more recent captains have been defenders or strikers and the great Bill Nicholson always thought that it was best to have a side with a captain in midfield where they were in contact with all the players and could lead by example.

Gary Mabbutt and Ledley king have been two captains who have led by example and set very high standards for themselves but King, in particular, is a quiet, undemonstrative player who is an excellent example of total commitment for the team in defence but he is isolated from the rest of the team by nature of his position.  In a similar way, strikers tend to be greedy looking for the scoring chance for themselves and have quite enough to focus and can't be so involved when the team is under pressure.

In midfield, Parker would look to be an ideal candidate to replace King if he is absent through injury.  he has fulfilled that role previously to good effect, leading by example in a weak West Ham team who were struggling in their battle against relegation.  He has the experience to take on such a role and command the respect of the players around him.  Although in a struggling side last year he maintained his own standards to win the Football Writers' Player of the Year award - a rarity as the winner of such awards usually comes from one of the more successful teams.

Scott Parker has settled in the Spurs team with ease and as someone suggested, if only he had come sooner he might have become a Spurs' legend. 

50 Years Ago today - Saturday, 13th August,1960

Spurs 'Double' winning team - 1960

It was 50 years ago today that Spurs supporters had the first glimpse of the greatest team in the club's history which was about to embark on a season that would never be forgotten and would set the standards for every other Tottenham Hotspur team, standards which, to date, none have ever reached.

 

On the second Saturday of August the Public Trial Match was played at White Hart Lane.  In those days there were no pre-season tours or friendly matches played, the final preparation was the annual match between the 'Whites' (1st Team) and the 'Blues' (Reserves) and the public had their first opportunity to see the team ahead of the new season.  There were no new players on view and the first team only showed one change from the team which had finished the previous year - Les Allen replacing Tony Marchi. The matches were always very competitive as players tried to catch the manager's eye with an impressive performance that would ensure their place in the team for the first League game to be played the following Saturday at 3.00pm.

 

Reporting on the game in the match programme for the Everton game it was noted that the players had completed three weeks training at Cheshunt and 11,677 spectators were present to see a 4-4 draw with all the proceeds donated to charity. 

 

The match was evenly contested but midway through the second half the 'Whites' had taken a 4-1 lead and looked to be on their way to a comfortable win.  The 'Whites' went ahead from a Cliff Jones penalty half way through the first half and this was followed a few minutes later by a goal from Dave Mackay who having 'joined in a left-wing attack and from almost the bye-line lashed a fierce drive just inside the near post' - one of the highlights of the afternoon.

 

Early in the second half Terry Dyson scored the third after a shot from Les Allen hit the bar.  Immediately, the 'Blues' pulled a goal back when Terry Medwin scored from Frank Saul's cross with a flying header.  Immediately, Les Allen restored the three goal margin.

 

The 'Blues' staged a late comeback as Jimmy Collins and Frank Saul scored to reduce the arrears and then Collins added his second in the final minutes following a defensive mix-up.

 

Bill Nicholson obviously knew his best team as the 'Whites' team was composed of all the players who are most closely associated with the 'Double' team and who were to appear in the final 'Double' clinching match at Wembley the following May.

 

'Whites': Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower, Norman, Mackay; Jones, White, Smith (R), Allen, Dyson.

 

'Blues': Hollowbread, Hills, Hopkins; Smith (J), Ryden, Marchi; Medwin, Harmer, Saul, Collins, Aitchison.

Spurs in History - 26th August

26th August, 1961

Spurs 4 Arsenal 3 (First Division)

Terry Dyson Hat-trick Hero

Spurs defence of the League Championship started with a win at Blackpool and a home draw against West Ham. For the second consecutive game they were without Dave Mackay and John White both injured.

The unexpected hero on this day was Terry Dyson who scored a hat-trick and remains the only Spurs player to score three against Arsenal. Spurs took an early two goal lead through Les Allen and Dyson but then Arsenal struck back and were 3-2 ahead with about fifteen minutes remaining. However, with seven minutes left Dyson scored twice inside two minutes for Spurs win and to put himself in the history records.

Spurs in History - 24th June

Trophy Presented in memory of John White (first left)

24th June, 1965

Tottenham Hotspur Win John White Memorial Cup

Macabbi Tel Aviv 2 Spurs 3 Friendly

Spurs played two games during a tour to Israel.

They won both matches and in this final game the home club put up a trophy for the winners, the John White Cup, in memory of Spurs Scottish International who had been killed tragically by lightning while playing golf, the previous summer.

The goals were scored by Alan Mullery, Dave Mackay and Alan Gilzean.

Spurs in History - 1st June

1st June, 1959

Dynamo Kiev 1 Spurs 2 (Friendly)

Spurs undertook a three match tour of the USSR during the close season. It was their first visit to the country and in ‘The Double’ by Ken Ferris, this Russian tour is identified as the time when Spurs ‘began to lay the foundations of a great side’.

Both Nicholson and Blanchflower began to realise that there was the makings of a great team. Many of the players were already at the club and with a few more signings and a little tinkering, the great team of the early sixties would appear.

Two goals from Johnny Brooks gave Spurs their second victory of the tour and weariness from the excessive travel contributed to their defeat in the final game, three days later.

The tour was a great success, bringing the players closer together and Dave Mackay is quoted as saying, ‘…I shall always believe we laid the foundations of the team-spirit and genuine friendship which has since played a notable part in the success of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club.’ Other players, Cliff Jones and Ron Henry support that view with similar comments, ‘That’s where we saw the first signs,’ (Jones) and ‘It all came together in Russia.’ (Henry)

Spurs in History - 26th May

26th May, 1962

Tel Aviv Select XI 1 Spurs 2 (Friendly)

The F.A.Cup winners went on a two game tour to Israel in the close season. With Maurice Norman, Jimmy Greaves and Cliff Jones unavailable, it was an otherwise full strength team that played in these games.

Spurs won this game through goals from Dave Mackay and Eddie Clayton while the final game four days later against Haifa Select XI was won by 5-0 with the goals being scored by Mackay, John White, Frank Saul, Les Allen and Clayton.

Spurs in History - 20th May

20th May, 1967
Spurs 2 Chelsea 1 F.A.CUP FINAL at Wembley.

Spurs won the first all London Cup Final in a comfortable manner. It was only in the last few minutes that Chelsea became the force that everyone had expected them to be. The Spurs defence marshalled the Chelsea forwards and Alan Mullery and Dave Mackay dominated the game although the ‘star’ was Joe Kinnear, at right back, who played as if he was a seasoned professional but had only come into the team because of an injury to Phil Beal earlier in the year.

Jimmy Robertson scored the first after Mullery’s shot had rebounded to him and Frank Saul added the second in the second half. Chelsea scored just before the end but the Cup was returning to White Hart Lane.

Spurs had five F.A. Cup wins from five Cup Final appearances.

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery, England, Mackay (Captain); Robertson, Greaves, Gilzean, Venables, Saul. Sub: Jones.

Spurs in History - 15th May

15th May, 1963

A European Night to Remember!

Atletico Madrid 1 Spurs 5

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP FINAL in Rotterdam.

Spurs produced their best ever display in a Final to overcome difficult opponents who were the holders of the trophy. Spurs went into the game without their inspiration, Dave Mackay who was injured. Nicholson was reportedly very worried about the Spaniards and built them up but Blachflower reminded the players of their own success and capabilities.

Jimmy Greaves gave Spurs an early lead and John White added a second. Then Atletico came back at Spurs putting them under intense pressure, eventually conceding a penalty but Terry Dyson, playing the game of his life, increased Spurs lead with a long cross that sailed over the keeper’s head. Greaves scored his second and Dyson did likewise to complete a glorious European night for Spurs - the first British club to win a European trophy.

All of Tottenham had moved to Holland for that game and they celebrated long into the night.

Team: Brown; Baker, Henry; Blanchflower(Captain), Norman, Marchi; Jones, White, Smith, Greaves, Dyson.

Spurs in History - 1st May

1st May, 1963

Spurs 3 OFK Belgrade 1 European Cup Winners Cup Semi Final (2nd Leg).

Holding a one goal lead from the 1st Leg, Spurs progressed to their first European Final. However, it was a difficult match and Spurs were made to fight all the way. Without Jimmy Greaves who was suspended, having been sent off in the first game, Spurs took the lead through Dave Mackay.

OFK fought back to equalize and put Spurs under considerable pressure. In a tense game, Bill Brown and all of the defenders had to be at their best and it was a relief to everyone when Cliff Jones restored Spurs lead before half-time. Bobby Smith completed the scoring in the second half to make Spurs the first English club to reach a European final - progressing 5-2 on aggregate.

In the Final Spurs would play Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam.

Spurs’ Players ‘Bottled it’ in their ‘Big’ Games

Time for Spurs to Show their Worth against Arsenal

So near and yet so far could be the epitaph for Spurs’ season. It, like last season, will be remembered, if it is, for the ‘nearly’ achievements. Carling Cup semi-final defeat after extra time in the second leg, FA Cup quarter-final defeat after a replay and a single goal aggregate defeat in the UEFA Cup Quarter-final tie. Compared with Spurs’ record over the last number of seasons that is some progress but when it came to those ‘big’ games the players lost their nerve.

In both of the domestic Cups they held a two goal lead but against Arsenal the departure of Dimitar Berbatov early in the game through injury saw Spurs’ former confidence drain away and the Arsenal youngsters were able to impose themselves on the game and ultimately on the tie. ‘Disappointed,’ said the players, ‘we don’t want that to happen again, we’ve learned from that.’

And so for the FA Cup 6th Round game against Chelsea, the players were up for that game and took Chelsea by surprise. A lethargic Chelsea were trailing 1-3 at half-time and even in the second half as Jose Mourinho threw on striker after striker in an attempt to rescue the situation, Spurs had the chances to put the result beyond doubt. The substitution of Berbatov again proved costly as Spurs lost their threat in attack and Chelsea eventually scored the goal which gave them the hope of a comeback. Sure enough, having scored one the equaliser soon followed. Chelsea had rescued the situation and going to White Hart Lane wasn’t a problem to them. So it proved in the replay, Chelsea contained and two moments of magic secured the game. The Spurs’ players once again had failed to produce their best when it really mattered.

The UEFA Cup quarter-final draw produced another difficult game for Spurs. Sevilla, the Cup holders and the team challenging Barcelona for the Spanish Liga title would be the most difficult opponents that Tottenham would have to face in their European journey this season.

However, it would be different this time.

Jermaine Jenas commenting before the first leg game in Sevilla,

‘You get nothing for reaching quarter-finals or semi-finals. You go home, you are out and you have to watch others play in the final and lift the cup. It’s not a nice feeling and it’s not something we want to continue. If you look at the teams we lost to [in the cups], it has been Arsenal and Chelsea, two of the top three or four sides in England. It was devastating to lose those games. But now, it’s up to us to make that step and beat those sides so we are able to break through into finals and so on. We definitely have the talent.’

That was good to hear from a Tottenham perspective, the players realised that they had to raise their game for these important matches.

In Sevilla, Spurs were unfortunate that a refereeing decision preventing them from building on the excellent start given to them by Robbie Keane’s early goal. The penalty award set Spurs back and rejuvenated the home team and for the rest of the first half Spurs appeared to be in shock. The half-time interval allowed them to regain their composure and re-organise so that they finished the game well although unable to score a second goal.

A single goal deficit going into the second leg at home was acceptable. Tottenham knew exactly what was needed. However, within seven minutes that was shattered and Spurs’ European dream was over. The two quick goals midway through the second half didn’t alter the course of the game as Sevilla with Tottenham old boy, Fredi Kanoute, qualified comfortably.

In spite of Jenas’ words, once again the Spurs’ players failed to rise to the occasion and produce a performance worthy of the occasion. The Sevilla players were much quicker to the ball and prepared to battle together for the result. They started quicker and Spurs were caught cold and never recovered from it.

This has been the case for Tottenham over many seasons. Their record against the top four sides is abysmal – the only light in this darkness was the unexpected home win over Chelsea in the Premiership earlier this year. Every year Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool brush them aside as of little consequence. Other teams achieve unexpected wins over the top clubs. Bolton have been a regular thorn in the flesh for all the top sides for a number of seasons, Portsmouth have done it as well and West Ham United, this season fighting against relegation have achieved their second successive away win against Arsenal having already beaten them and Manchester United at Upton Park earlier in the season. So of their meagre total of twenty nine points, West Ham have earned nine of them with wins against two of the top four sides while Spurs have taken three points. The Spurs players have failed to raise their game for season after season – regardless of who is playing – there is an obvious lack of believe at the club and an acceptance of being second best.

Martin Jol talks of the players showing a ‘winning mentality’ but it is lacking when faced with the top sides. A lack of leadership and drive on the field is evident with Spurs needing the fighting qualities displayed over many years by former captains, Steve Perryman, Graham Roberts, Alan Mullery and Dave Mackay.

How would the Spurs players respond to the management style displayed by Sir Alex Ferguson or Roy Keane? Is life too easy at White Hart Lane? If Spurs are to get into the elite of the Premiership a few feathers may have to be ruffled at the club. The summer transfer market shopping list should include that aggressive, combative type of player who ill inspire those around him to greater effort and won’t accept excuses for missed opportunities. Such qualities don’t exist within the players currently at the club so someone is required who will set the example, set the standards and discipline that are necessary to make this forward step.

As Jamie Carragher said when questioned about Liverpool’s Cup defeats to Arsenal earlier in the season, ‘We need better players.’ That certainly is the case where Spurs are concerned with players who can take the pressure of the ‘big’ games and produce their best performances when they’re most needed and when faced with the highest level of opposition.

Spurs’ next game is against Arsenal at White Hart Lane. The supporters will be ready for the game but will the players? They know what a North London derby means to the supporters but will they produce a performance on the day or will it again be a case of almost but not quite good enough?