Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United 23rd June, 8.15pm (behind closed doors).
In my last article on my match review (United), I said that we needed to beat the Red Devils if we had any chance of getting into the Champions League. We didn’t lose, but we didn’t win either. We were in no man’s land. Luckily for us, Arsenal (twice) and Sheffield United both lost. Leicester City drew, and the only unfortunate result was Chelsea beating poorly Aston Villa. So, still all to play for. But now we do need to pull our fingers out of the custard pie. On Tuesday (23rd) we face the Spammers, who have also lost a game (since coming back), so only a win will do for us. Lose, and it will the Europa League football, lose another after that and we won’t even get a look-in to any European competition.
Somebody commented that we looked unfit in places against United, at least all clubs are in the same boat.
We’ve still got a lot to play for.
TEAM NEWS
We are boosted by the return of Dele Alli and Lucas Moura after suspension and injury respectively, while Jan Vertonghen and Michel Vorm have signed new short-term deals. Japhet Tanganga and Juan Foyth are still sidelined.
West Ham’s Angelo Ogbonna has returned to training and is being assessed. Their forward Sebastian Haller looks set to miss out, as does Robert Snodgrass.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
We could complete the league double over West Ham for the first time since 2012-13.
West Ham are looking to secure back-to-back away league wins at our stadium for the first time since November 1966.
The away side has won six of the past seven meetings in all competitions, including each of the last four.
Tottenham Hotspur
We are winless in seven games in all competitions.
We have gone four matches without a victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having previously won eight of 10 home fixtures.
We are in danger of losing three successive London league derbies for the first time since August 2005.
We have kept four league clean sheets this term, the joint fewest in the division along with Bournemouth.
Harry Kane has scored 29 goals in 47 Premier League London derby matches – only Thierry Henry (43), Frank Lampard (32) and Teddy Sheringham (32) have scored more.
West Ham United
West Ham have the division’s worst record over the past eight games, with four points and one win.
The Hammers have lost six successive away league matches and conceded 13 goals in the process.
Their single clean sheet in 13 leagues fixtures came in a 4-0 win over fellow strugglers Bournemouth on New Year’s Day.
West Ham’s record of 17 losses from their opening 30 league fixtures is their most since they suffered 19 at this stage of the 2006-07 season.
The Hammers have lost 14 of 17 matches against the current top-10 sides this season.
Michail Antonio has scored four goals in six league appearances against Tottenham.
So, there you have it. West Ham need desperately to win (if they want to stay up), while we need to get into the top 4 or 5 (depending on what happens to Manchester City).
Come On You Spurs, we need this.
I’ve got my second voucher from Spurs so that I can watch this match on NowTV. I’ve got my wine ready, and a few nuts in my bag… now, just ready and waiting.
My name is Glenn Renshaw.
I am currently a Premium Season Ticket holder (West Stand) in the new stadium. Before that – at White Hart Lane – a season ticket holder in various parts of the ground (mainly in the North stand).
Before becoming a season ticket holder, I stood on the shelf and various other parts of the ground since the 1950s. In 1987 I became one of the first to hold a Spurs Membership card. I was also a life long member of the Spurs supporters club (now defunct).
I go to all home, away and abroad matches.
I was born in 1955, Edgware, London (it was in the late 50s – as a baby – that my dad took me to Spurs to initiate me). I currently live in Berkshire.
I also collect all Spurs books (and have everyone printed), Spurs handbooks (from 1920s onwards, Spurs programmes (since the 40s).
Previously, I wrote for Spurs Fanzines: The Spur, Spur of the Moment, My Eyes have seen the Glory and various other Spurs fanzines’. I also wrote for the SpursWeb app & its website.
I currently write and work for spursnetwork.com and its website. I write its Reviews & Match reports and a lot more.
My other interests are; reading, history, social history, Politics, going to the gym, wine, going out for a meal, music (all sorts), writing, theatre, concerts, holidays, socialising etc.
I have been writing blogs/ articles since 1989
If you wish to read more of my blog, please click “here”