Jim Duggan's TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR site

Semi-Final preview from Jim Duggan season ticket holder, White Hart Lane resident and supporter since the early 1970's

 

My thoughts on the match

Views from other Spurs fans

The Semi Final/ Arsenal - Records

 

My thoughts on the big match

The only good thing about knowing who we were due to meet in the semi during the West Ham match was that it was n't a downer at the end that we did n't get Wycombe. The Goons again! Three times in eleven years in the Semi Finals - no dream North London final again.

Despite the underachievement of the 1990's this is our fifth semi in that eleven year period (every odd year since 1991, except 1997), unfortunately, we've lost or been cheated out of them since.

In 1991 we just had to win against the team that were to lose only one of their 38 league matches. A miraculous recovery by Gazza (has anyone noticed the similarities between his op and Carr's op and their race to be fit for the semi), replacing Nayim with Samways and wonderful tactics from Venables. All the goals are special - the free kick and Barry Davies commentary, the second with Gooners chasing shadows as we carve them apart down the right, and the winner because it confirmed our place in the final which also has the famous "uses him by not using him commentary.

By 1993 we had the best young team in the country and were all over Arsenal. A measure of their loathsomeness is the man who fouled Anderton when he was through on goal to put us ahead in the match was the man who scored the injury time winner for the Scum in the final. Even the sending off of Dixon could not make up for their jammy victory and Adams scoring the goal.

1995 was a shambles from start to finish - Nethercott should not have been playing Limpar and unfortunately Nethercott could not play Limpar. Even mitigating for this Spurs were terrible - the worst performance in a big match I have ever seen, which was made all the more painful, coming as it did after the win over Liverpool.

We entered the 1999 semi with a trophy under our belts and a place in Europe secured and in an even match was robbed of victory by that little fat fuck Durkin not being able to see Dabizas's blatant handball in the second half. Cup final hero Nielsen also came close, but Durkin's eyesight was restored to spot Sol's mad handball when the game had gone into extra time and that was that.

So what does 2001 hold - will we make it a Spurs Odyssey [sounds like a good name for a website ;-)] and maintain our proud tradition in a year ending in one, or will the Goons spoil it all.

The league game at the weekend will have little bearing on the match at Old Trafford as a result of the under strength team we fielded, but, even when victorious against the Goons in recent meetings, they have always had much of the play and many of the chances. Sullivan's performance at Christmas was one of the greatest I have seen from a Spurs keeper - and that only got us a draw.

Player for player, we are weaker than the Goons in many positions at the moment, but the gulf is not so great that we cannot overcome this by greater determination to win and sound tactics from Hoddle. This is our best hope. Spurs need most if not all of the injured [Campbell, Rebrov, Carr, Clemence, Leo, Armo, Sherwood] to return. Having a fit Carr back is absolutely crucial. Young is doing well on the left, and gets better with each match, but we are weak at right wing back without Carr and this has a major effect on the balance of the team when both attacking and defending.

If Hoddle is able to field Sullivan - Doherty, Perry, Campbell - Carr, King, Davies/Clemence, Freund, Young - Ferdinand, Rebrov - with Walker, Gardner, Leo/Sherwood, Davies/Clemence, Iversen as subs - we have a chance. These players, plus a greater will to win and good tactics. I'm going to pray and pray, and then pray again. After all God is a Yiddo, and he saw us ok in 1991.

This game is almost more important that the Final - its beats Arsenal (effectively stopping them winning anything else this season) and it gets us into Europe. Despite Liverpool's recent improvement we have a reasonable record against them in recent seasons and they are still vulnerable to a one off match at the end of a long season. We must win, whether it be off Freund's arse or from a 35yard piledriver from Carr, or even penalties [where we have two victories (Anderlecht & Peterborough) versus one defeat by Forest] - its so important in maintaining the upswing after the arrival of ENIC and Hoddle. Just as the win in 1991 saved the club, this win could propel us back into the big time.

Prediction - in the previous two semi's, the team with the lower league position has gone on to win, so lets hope that tradition is maintained. I have a feeling its going to be an even match (1-1) and Spurs will win on penalties creating new heroes at the Lane. Fingers crossed. Back to the top

 

Views from other Spurs fans

Daniel Wynne - leading independent fan

The wave of optimism sweeping through White Hart Lane at the moment from all aspects of the crowd is a welcome change to the different opinions that have been debated over the past couple of years.
I do not recall an air of optimism like this since the return of Lineker and Gazza from Italia 90.
Glenn and Gorman will receive a great reception prior to kick off as they emerge from the tunnel and make their way to the dug out. It will be a great scene.
I am not saying the game will be a formality, far from it. If anything, we will be going into the game as firm underdogs ...............just like in 1991.
The football will not be pretty and the atmosphere tense. There has to be a winner on the day and what better way for Glenn to begin his managerial career at his "spiritual home" than winning a place in the FA Cup final, a fixture that he graced in the 1981, 1982 and 1987 finals.
Lets hope by 3.30pm on Sunday, Chas and Dave will be busy at their pianos after
Steffen Freund gets the last minute winner of his backside."

Paul Smith - SpursOdyssey website

I have to admit that my heart does not tell me the same that my head does, as we build up to this fifth semi-final in 10 years. We have lost three in a row now, and I do not want to witness the fourth, particularly against the opponents we have this week!
The journey home from such a result would be twice as long and miserable as those after the Everton debacle, and the last match at Old Trafford against a rampant Shearer-led Newcastle.
Of course the team we field is going to be far different than last Saturday's practice at Highbury. It will also be interesting to see how Glenn varies the tactics for this match. I would be surprised if he changes anything radically. Maybe a 4-4-2 to allow more midfield creativity. Will there be room for Steffen Freund in Glenn's side in the long term? I suspect not. But I have been desperate to see him score for us, and I have this dream that Steffen will score the winner for us in the last minute! I know that you (Jim) think it more likely that aliens will land on the pitch
[no mate - I have the same dream - I love him - ed], but if the cup is to remain romantic, then it has to be Spurs doesn't it? Please!
So - I will stick my neck out and predict the following team (injuries permitting) in a 4-4-2 formation - Sullivan; Carr, Perry, Campbell, Young; Anderton, Sherwood, King, Clemence; Rebrov, Ferdinand Subs:- Walker; Doherty, Freund; Davies; Iversen.

The score? 2-1 to Spurs

Wyatt Lane - MEHSTG fanzine

With the return of Sergei, Sol and Ledley, I will be much happier than the out-turn of Saturday's Spurs Reserves vs. France match. 

Combined with the immense tactical nous that comes with our new coach, who knows Wenger inside out (not something you would want to boast about) from his time at Monaco, there can be only one outcome.

As a fervent believer in astronomy domini, astrology and numerology, there are only two numbers in the stars for this Sunday's game and they are 1 and 0 with Tottenham's number coming up first.

John Stevens - leading Northern fan

3-1 to the spurs on Sunday


Simon Preuveneers - topspurs regular

I have a strong feeling about this one - 2-1 to Tottenham rebrov getting the first and a dramatic late winner from freund.  He owes me for all the times I've backed him to be on the score sheet at Hills

Andrew Duggan - Cousin of the webmaster

I actually think we are going to do it either 1-0 or 2-1,but it'll be close


Allie the Spursbird
Yes, the year ends in 1, the lead up to the semi bears a strange resemblance to that of '91, the scum lost 6-1 at OT etc. etc - but more importantly, we shouldn't forget the fact that Rebrov is something of a nemesis to Arsenal - his goals for Kiev putting them out of Europe, not to mention scoring at the Lane this season against them. So I think our hope of glory rests with our little Ukrainian. They'll score (Henry is unstoppable when he's on form) but we'll have the gods on our side (I really must stop taking drugs).
Arsenal 1 (Henry), Tottenham 3 (Rebrov 2, Carr

Adam - Spurs From the Terraces

Many misguided media types are saying this is a make or break game for Spurs, but I'm inclined to think the pressure is off Hoddle's happy breed.
Very few Tottenham fans expected us to get this far in the Cup: reaching the semi-final with a strictly limited squad has been a welcome bonus to distract us from the miseries of yet another season of under-achievement.
Last Saturday's phoney war at the Library proved nothing, except that Arsenal have a stronger squad than us. We know that, they know that, the players know that: as a result, the expectation will be on the Woolwich Wanderers, not Spurs. We can go into the game invigorated by Hoddle's
arrival but safe in the knowledge that should we lose, though it will be desperately hard to take, it won't be particularly important in the grand scheme of things. This is the dawning of a new era at the Lane (however it turns out in the long run) and eras are not determined on the outcome of one game.
Rarely have I approached a semi-final with such a sense of expectancy as opposed to nervous tension. My feeling is that everyone at Spurs should adopt a 'shit or bust' policy, players and supporters alike. In the absence of Stevie Carr, this is a Spurs side that knows little about the Glory Glory game: we should play to our strengths, hassle the life out of them and run ourselves into the ground - hardly The Spurs Way, but it paid dividends against West Ham.
Similarly, we as fans have to do our bit. There are clearly still divisions that exist as to the rights and wrongs of recent events and you have to hope that the team doesn't replicate the shambles of how affairs have been conducted off the pitch, but what's done is done. We all have to get behind the team and put an end to the constant moaning that's been a feature of the last decade.
Prediction? I never make predictions, as I'm the kiss of death!
COME ON YOU SPURS!

Aussie Legend - Sean the Bastard

so were one game away from a final

and who should be in our way..? none other than those dirty filth ridden scumbags from down the road....

much as i hate to say it...i think it will be a tight match. BUT  the omens are there for us...we shall prevail. HODDLE will lift the cup... and steffan freund will put in a huge performance on the weekend to get us past the arse.. my crystal ball has told me so..

its good to take a moment and reflect on how shit the arse are...they remind me of a septic tank in new dehli.. they are THAT shite.. cheats,theives,druggies,perverts,degenerates and purveyours of some of the most boring football london has ever seen. and their supporters by and large are the biggest bunch of wankers ive ever seen...

its a game we wont lose...the youngsters will be well up for it..sol with be a rock..and sergi will run rings around keown (while hes peeling bananas with his feet)..sullivan will clean up anyhting the back line cant contain.. 

but no matter the outcome..we will PLAY WITH PRIDE..because WE ARE THE TOTTENHAM...

we are not a team who plays for the draw..we are not a team who cheats..we dont take bungs..we dont bribe officials to get promoted

we are not filthy cheating gooner cunts...so every one of us needs to get the fuck behind the team..for this game and beyond...

fuck off gooners

Tunde Banjoko - Tottenham through and through

The final countdown to the semi-final is on and I can’t wait for the game to be over. I’m really nervous because on the face of it, it’s a foregone conclusion that we’ll lose to our deadliest rivals. Their side is significantly better than ours, they are 2nd in the league and we are 12th. All of their players are used to playing in big games in the world cup or champions league, whereas only a few of our have that experience. They have their first choice defenders fully fit from injury whereas its touch and go for some of our top players.

Given all that, do we have a chance of winning? Well of course we do! There are four factors that could come together and give us a victory that no one outside of N17 would predict. Firstly, the year does end in one. I know our ex manager doesn’t believe in such myths, but the gods seem to be conspiring to get us to Cardiff. Our route to the semi has been favourable, we haven’t left London until now and we played a West Ham side in the quarters that has been in free fall since the turn of the year. Secondly, Arsenal play in a big Champions league game a few days before the semi, it is possible that there will be a hangover or injuries, or both, on Sunday. Thirdly, on their last visit to Old Trafford they were humiliated 6-1, which might have an effect, whereas it was on our last visit to Manchester that we achieved this season’s only victory outside the capital. Finally, we have the brightest young manager in the country, who just happens to be a Spurs legend and fan, in our dugout. If anyone can, Hoddle can.

If we win, we’ll be in Europe next season and that would help Glenn bring in the players he wants to start our renaissance.  If we win, it would be absolutely fantastic with the only down side being the inevitable attempts of the press to give the credit to Agent George. If we lose, then so what? They are better than us and Glenn has only had a week to get us right and its next season, in the league that really counts. The major down side to a defeat, for me, would be the inevitable attempts of the press and fans who are influenced by the press, to claim that we would have won if Agent Graham had remained in charge.

So for me the butterflies will continue until after the game, but deep down I know we have already won the best prize of all. WE’VE GOT OUR TOTTENHAM BACK.

Dennis O'Gara - Spurs supporter since 1956

I have a dream or so said someone more famous than I, and that is Sunday could be very good for Spurs!  Why do I feel this way ? well the answer is I really don't know for sure but I just feel that things are going our way.  Firstly the Gooners have a very difficult match too soon to Sunday for their liking, and we will be the fresher and fitter side.
Secondly this is the big one for us and we're sure to give it 110%, as there's not much left for the season if we don't win, but that's not the same for them. Thirdly I think Spurs are improving, and coming good at the right time for us but the wrong time for them !  Even so I believe we will have to play above ourselves and hope the Gooners have an off day, or we get some huge chunks of luck on the day.
Another factor may be that the Gooners "old guard" are not as good as they were and one day they will be caught out ...it might be this Sunday !!
To sum up the omens are good, the year ends in one, and Hod is back....Yep we're going to win, only 1 - 0 but hey who cares ?    COME ON YOU SPURS.

Enuf views? - Back to the top or mail me yours jim@topspurs.com

 

THE SEMI FINAL STATS & FA Cup matches against Arsenal

FA CUP SEMI FINAL RECORD
 - Spurs have reached the semi finals on 16 previous occasions  
 - We have won 9 of these matches, one after a drawn game, and have lost seven
 - We are currently on a losing streak of three, but won the six before that
 - We had lost four consecutive semi finals before winning the Double semi final
 - We are due a win, a cause helped by Durkin doing the other semi final
Date Comp Attn V Opponents R F - A Tottenham Scorers
08-Apr-01 F.A.Cup SF 46,000 VP West Bromwich Albion W 4 - 0 Brown (4)
19-Mar-21 F.A. Cup SF 44,668 Hil Preston North End W 2 - 1 Bliss (2)
25-Mar-22 F.A. Cup SF 50,095 Hil Preston North End L 1 - 2 Seed
13-Mar-48 F.A. Cup SF 70,687 VP Blackpool L 1 - 3 Duquemin
21-Mar-53 F.A. Cup SF 68,221 VP Blackpool  L 1 - 2 Duquemin
17-Mar-56 F.A. Cup SF 69,788 VP Manchester City L 0 - 1  
18-Mar-61 F.A. Cup SF 69,968 VP Burnley  W 3 - 0 Jones, Smith R (2)
31-Mar-62 F.A. Cup SF 65,000 Hil Manchester United W 3 - 1 Medwin, Greaves, Jones
29-Apr-67 F.A. Cup SF 55,000 Hil Nottingham Forest W 2 - 1 Greaves, Saul
11-Apr-81 F.A. Cup SF 40,174 Hil Wolverhampton Wanderers D 2 - 2 Archibald, Hoddle
15-Apr-81 F.A. Cup SF® 52,539 Hi Wolverhampton Wanderers W 3 - 0 Crooks (2), Villa
03-Apr-82 F.A. Cup SF 46,606 VP Leicester City W 2 - 0 Crooks, Wilson og.
11-Apr-87 F.A. Cup SF 46,151 VP Watford  W 4 - 1 Hodge (2), Allen C, Allen P
14-Apr-91 F.A. Cup SF 77,893 W Arsenal W 3 - 1 Gasgoigne, Lineker 2
04-Apr-93 F.A. Cup SF 76,263 W Arsenal L 0 - 1  
09-Apr-95 F.A. Cup SF 38,226 ER Everton L 1 - 4 Klinsmann (pen)
11-Apr-99 F.A. Cup SF 53,609 OT Newcastle United L 0 - 2 (a.e.t)
FA CUP RECORD AGAINST ARSENAL
 - Spurs have played Arsenal 4 times previously in the FA Cup, winning twice
 - Amazingly three of our meetings will have been in Semi Finals
 - Spurs have not lost once they have scored in a cup match against Arsenal
Date Comp Attn V Opponents R F - A Tottenham Scorers
04-Apr-93 F.A. Cup SF 76,263 W Arsenal L 0 - 1  
14-Apr-91 F.A. Cup SF 77,893 W Arsenal W 3 - 1 Gasgoigne, Lineker 2
02-Jan-82 F.A. Cup 3 38,421 H Arsenal W 1 - 0 Crooks
08-Jan-49 F.A. Cup 3 47,314 A Arsenal  L 0 - 3  
                   

Enuf stats? - Back to the top