Totttenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion Preview

The first home match of the season is always anticipated with great optimism so Tottenham will be looking to kick off Andre Villas-Boas’ time at White Hart Lane with a win against West Bromwich Albion. There is added pressure on Spurs, having lost to Newcastle United at St. James’ Park last Saturday although in many people’s view they were unfortunate and deserving of at least a point.

‘Twitteresque’ Report v Newcastle:

Spurs dominant in 1st half & hit woodwork twice. N/c improved after h/t but poor defensive play helped in their goals. Defoe had equalised.

West Bromwich under their new manager Steve Clarke started with a convincing 3 – 0 home win over Liverpool.

‘Twitterseque Report:

Gera wonder strike puts WBA ahead at h/t. In 2nd half L/pool down to ten men but Albion miss pen. Then score a pen & add a third. Great win.

Last season’s match:

3rd Jan. 2012 PL Won 1 – 0 Defoe

Spurs defeated Albion through a Jermain Defoe goal, scored with just over an hour played last season. It looked is if it was going to be a frustrating evening for Spurs as the visitors defended in depth. The win kept Spurs in third place, just behind the two Manchester clubs.

Previous Meetings:

23rd April, 2011  PL  Draw 2 – 2  Pavlyuchenko, Defoe

Spurs looked to have earned the three points until a late strike from Simon Cox, nine minutes from time. It was his first Premier League goal and denied Spurs after Roman Pavlyuchenko had equalised Odemwingie’s early goal, before half-time. Jermain Defoe scored his 100th Spurs goal in the second half but Cox’s spectacular strike cut short Tottenham’s celebrations.

2nd May, 2009  PL  Won 1 – 0  Jenas

A Jermaine Jenas goal, two minutes before half-time earned the three points for Spurs. Heurelho Gomes, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King played their part in the win by keeping a clean sheet with important saves and a good defensive display.

27th March, 2006  PL  Won 2 – 1  Keane (2) (1 pen)

West Brom had taken a first half lead and it wasn’t until twenty minutes from time that Robbie Keane equalised. The game looked to be heading for a draw until the final minute’s drama when the visiting goalkeeper, Thomasz Kuszczak, messed up a clearance and then fouled Defoe as he tried to recover the situation. Keane coolly put away the penalty with one minute remaining.

Albion:

Albion finished last season in 10th position and on Roy Hodgson’s departure appointed Steve Ckarke as manager. It is his first time as manager, stepping up having been assistant at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho where he would have worked with Villas-Boas. He remained at Stamford Bridge after Mourinho left but later moved  to West Ham as a coach and then was assistant to Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool. He will have a full squad available to him and has strengthened the team with the loan signing of Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea. The 19 year old Belgian international scored Albion’s third goal against Liverpool having come on as a substitute. Ben Foster was signed from Birmingham on a permanent deal after his year’s loan at The Hawthorns. The Albion team is very experienced and will be well organised as they look to build on last week’s good start. Last season Albion won 7 away games in the Premier League so Spurs can expect a difficult afternoon.

Tottenham:

Andre Villas-Boas will be forced to make at least one change from the team which lost at Newcastle as Younes Kaboul is out with a knee injury. This may give Jan Vertonghen an opportunity for his debut and the seriousness of the complaint may determine Michael Dawson’s White Hart Lane future. Emmanuel Adebayor who signed from Manchester City during the week may be available but whether he starts or how long he plays for will depend on his level of fitness. If he plays, Adebayor will want to replicate last season’s quick start when he scored three goals in his first two matches, including two on his home debut against Liverpool. A full understanding of Tottenham’s squad for the season and Villas-Boas’ plans will not be achievable until after the end of the month when they have completed their transfer business.

Tottenham will be looking for a win to kick-start their season after last week’s disappointment but it won’t be easy against a determined Albion side, buoyed by last week’s result. On two previous occasions when Albion have been the visitors for Tottenham’s first home match of the season, they have managed to dampen expectations – winning 4 – 3 in 1952-53 and drawing 2 – 2 in August, 1959.

A Tribute to Ledley King!

To mark Ledley King’s retirement and his loyal service to Tottenham Hotspur, Spurs supporters intend to have one minute’s applause in the 26th minute of the match (King’s shirt number).