please log in to view this image Tottenham Hotspur host Blackburn Rovers, who were one of the original 12 members of the Football League, at White Hart Lane on Sunday 29th April 2012 in the 36th round of 2011-12 Premier League matches (35th game for Spurs). Tottenham come into the game in 5th place in the table with 59 points, while Rovers are in 18th place with 31 points. This will be the 110th time the two teams have met. Tottenham's association with Blackburn goes back to even before the two clubs played each other. The young lads who were the early members of Hotspur FC (later to be called Tottenham Hotspur) took the afternoon off from their friendly football fixtures to watch the 1884 FA Cup Final at the old Crystal Palace between Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park from Glasgow, Scotland. The lads were so impressed with Rover's 2-1 win (the first of three consecutive FA Cup Final wins) that they decided to adopt Rovers' strip of blue and white halved shirts in homage. When Spurs celebrated their 125th anniversary in 2007, the shirt was worn for the home Premier League match with Aston Villa. April 1897 saw Rovers visit Spurs at Northumberland Park for a friendly match which the Lancashire club won 2-1. The first competitive meeting came in the old second round (today's fourth round) of the FA Cup in February 1907 with the first match drawn 1-1 and a replay also drawn 1-1. A second replay took place at Villa Park where Spurs won 2-1. Blackburn won the first League match against Spurs at Ewood Park (which is the oldest consecutive home of a Premier League team) in January 1910 2-0 but Spurs won the return game in March 4-0. By the mid-1930s, both clubs were playing in the Second Division and ten games were played at this level. The only other non-Top Flight League matches came in 1977-78 when Spurs played their only season outside the top level since 1949-50. Spurs did the "double" over Blackburn during their Double season of 1960-61, winning 4-1 away and 5-2 at home. November 1988 saw the first Football League Cup match between the clubs with Rovers holding Spurs to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane only to lose the replay 2-1 after extra time at Ewood Park. Blackburn Rovers beat Tottenham Hotspur in the 2002 Football League Cup Final played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Both Blackburn and Spurs were founder members of the Premier League but only Tottenham have been ever-present since 1992-93. Spurs won the reverse fixture at White Hart Lane last season in November 4-2 with a brace from Gareth Bale and goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Peter Crouch. Rovers two goals were scored by Ryan Nelsen and Gael Givet. The game at Ewood Park in February resulted in a 1-0 win for Spurs, thanks to a Peter Crouch goal. Spurs signed former Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Brad Friedel (2000-08) during the summer and New Zealand defender Ryan Nelsen was transferred from Rovers during the January 2012 window. The reverse fixture at Ewood Park in October ended in a 2-1 away win for Spurs. Rafael van der Vaart opened the scoring on 15 minutes but Rovers equalised through Mauro Formica in the 28th minute. A second goal from van der Vaart on 53 minutes proved enough to win the three points for Tottenham. Spurs have a 17 to 11 win advantage over Rovers in the 35 Premier League games played with 7 matches drawn. Overall, Spurs have 49 wins to Rovers 38 with 22 matches of the 109 played so far drawn. please log in to view this image Full History of Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers Matches 1898-2012 please log in to view this image They Played for Spurs & Rovers.... Bill Almond Steve Archibald Ossie Ardiles David Bentley Noel Brotherston Pascal Chimbonda George Grompton Ronnie Dix Mike England Brad Friedel Ted Harper Archie Hughes John 'Tiny' Joyce Bobby Mimms Ryan Nelsen Paul Robinson Tim Sherwood please log in to view this image Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Player's Squad Numbers 1993-94 to 2011-12 Blackburn Rovers Premier League Player's Squad Numbers 1993-94 to 2011-12 please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
Cheers for the top notch article again, 6061. Both sides badly need a win in this game and it'll be interesting to see whether Nelsen gets a chance to prove a point against his old club. Robinson's bound to get his usual outstanding reception from the WHL faithful. I wonder if the Kiwi well get a similar one from the Blackburn fans? Should be another opportunity to take a look at Hoilett. Keeping him quiet should be a priority.
Time to bounce back, 4-2 last season. We've a better squad than then and them. Time also to prove Blackburn Rovers' fans right about Steve Kean. I would give anything to see Thudd, on form and pulling the strrings for this one. Me miss him dearly I feel.
Oh by the way, there are no excuses for not beating Blackburn. We just need to work harder than them physically, emotionally and creatively. This is no secret, too many players recently, have not been giving their all, saving something for after the game. Harry England calling can not be used as an excuse. The players need to look to themselves.
Not a good comparison, mainly as we're hardly fans of Defoe and his ability to shoot directly at the goalkeeper from six yards out when he's got the ball in an onside position...
Time for Super Danny Rose to shine If he scores another screamer I hope he's given a proper run in the team and not just dropped again
My first post on not 606 despite being a member for some time but had to say thanks to 6061 for this article and all the other match previews he has done this season - allways a good read. Heres hoping we can get the show back on the road against Blackburn. If Kaboul and Ade are fit we have every chance. Blackburn and Bolton (and possibly Villa depending on results) need the points and will have to play a bit rather than park the bus so they could be more open games than they usually would. This should help as recently we have had plenty of possesion but have not been able to break teams down. Baring any dodgy lasagnes I still reckon we can get 4th. COYS
I googled Animo Et Fide to see what it means. I am still confused as one version told me Honour and Fidelety, and another was talking about some sausage dish. Whatever, welcome
That's the spirit! I think McLeish will need to be going for wins regardless to try to save his job and Martin Jol ever really loved us he would let us win if we need it on the last day
Well I've been wanting Rose to play for a while now, so though it's unfortunate and sad for Benny that he is injured (get well soon BAE) I don't expect him being out to weaken us. Friedel Walker Kaboul Nelsen/Gallas Rose Livermore Parker Modric Bale Ade VDV for me. This is a game I expect us to win.
