Tottenham’s League Record at Swansea and Match Preview

Tottenham go to Swansea for the second time in the Premier League and only the fourth occasion in top flight football. This is a match Tottenham must win to keep alive their hopes of a Champions League finish but the last time that Spurs defeated Swansea in Wales in a competitive match was in the first season after the Second World War in September, 1946.

Tottenham will be looking for their first competitive win in Wales since February, 1979 when they defeated Wrexham 3 – 2 in an FA Cup replay after a 3 – 3 draw at White Hart Lane. The game went to extra time and Spurs can be grateful to an unlikely hero in Chris Jones who scored a hat-trick to secure victory and saved Tottenham from the embarrassment of losing to a club in the 2nd Division (Championship).

Tottenham’s last League success in Wales was in April, 1957 when they recorded an emphatic 3 – 0 win over Cardiff in the 1st Division when Dave Dunmore, Johnny Brooks and Terry Dyson scored.

Tottenham’s League Record against Swansea (inc. PL)

P  14  W  4  D  4  L  6  For  15  Ag  19

Last Season at the Liberty Stadium

December, 2011  PL  Draw 1 – 1  Van der Vaart

Spurs played Swansea on New Year’s Eve and Gareth Bale received a less than warm welcome from the Swansea fans on his return to his homeland due to his Cardiff roots. It was a poor performance from him and the team and he also received a first half booking for a ‘dive’. Spurs were fortunate to be ahead at the interval as they got a fortunate break that their play didn’t really deserve. A Benoit Assou-Ekotto cross from the left was deflected to Rafael Van der Vaart whose shot was also deflected past Vorm. Tottenham held on in the second half until six minutes from time when Brad Friedel failed to hold a deflected cross which fell to Sinclair who scored into the empty net. It was disappointing for Spurs but only what Swansea deserved for their play and endeavour.

Previous Meetings:

Spurs’ and Swansea’s only other games in the top Division were in 1981 – 82 and 1982 – 83 in the 1st Division when Swansea won both of their home matches.  In September, 1982 Glenn Hoddle scored a penalty for Spurs as they lost 1 – 2 and the following year Swansea won 2 – 0.

Prior to those matches, the clubs met in the 2nd Division in the years from 1928 until Spurs won promotion in 1950. Spurs’ first match at the Vetch Field, Swansea’s old ground, ended in a 4 – 0 defeat but the following year in November, 1929 they won 1 – 0, with Ted Harper scoring the goal. The following season Harper scored again as Spurs triumphed 2 – 1, Jimmy Smailes scoring the second goal.

In March, 1932 Tottenham earned a point from a 1 – 1 draw when Tom Evans scored with a penalty. Spurs’ good form in Wales continued in March, 1933 with a 2 – 0 success provided by goals from Les Howe and Willie Evans.

That was the end of their success until 1946 when two goals from Les Bennett gave Spurs another 2 – 0 win. Even in their promotion year of 1949 – 50 the Spurs ‘Push and Run’ side failed to take any points at Swansea, losing 0 – 1 in April, 1950.

Thank You Swansea

Terry Medwin and Cliff Jones were signed by Tottenham from Swansea in the 1950s and both contributed to Tottenham’s success in the early 1960s. Ernie Jones was another winger who was transferred to Spurs in the mid-1940s. He later joined Southampton as part of the deal which brought Alf Ramsey to Tottenham. Ramsey and Arthur Willis were the full-backs in the ‘Push and Run’ team of the 1950s and Willis joined Swansea in September, 1954 as player/coach. At the Vetch Field he met up with his former captain, Ron Burgess, who had joined Swansea in the summer as player/coach and then manager.

Other players have played for both Spurs and Swansea including Mark Gower who is currently on loan at Charlton Athletic from Swansea, Mark Kendall, Paul Price, Paul Miller and John Hendry.

Swansea 2012-13

Swansea deservedly received many accolades for their Capital One Cup success earlier this season – their first major trophy. They defeated Chelsea in the semi-final and overwhelmed Bradford City in the Final and so qualify for the Europa League next season. They are 9th in the Premier League with 40 points. They have lost their last two League games, a home defeat to Arsenal (2 – 0) in the last game, the goals coming in the last 16 minutes, and 2 – 1 at West Bromwich.

At home Swansea have recorded six wins and six draws, scoring 27 goals but conceding 21. Their three defeats have been to Everton (0 – 3) in September, Norwich (3 – 4) in December and Arsenal. Prior to that defeat they had 3 successive home wins against Newcastle (1 – 0), QPR (4 – 1) and Stoke City (3 – 1). The six home League draws have been against Manchester United (1 – 1), Chelsea (1 – 1), Liverpool (0 – 0) and three 2 – 2 draws against Sunderland, Reading and Aston Villa. Their first win of the season at the Liberty Stadium saw them defeat West Ham 3 – 0 in August which gave them 8 goals in the opening two games having scored five at Loftus Road. They also defeated Wigan 2 – 1 and WBA 3 – 1.

The appointment of Michael Laudrup to replace Brendon Rogers hasn’t seen any interruption to Swansea’s passing football game. They have been greatly assisted by the signing of Michu who has scored 19 goals in all competitions in his first season in English football. De Guzman has scored 8.

Former Tottenham winger, Wayne Routledge, is in his third season at Swansea and having his best year in the Premier League. He has played his part in their success with 5 goals in 18 League appearances and was in the team which won at Wembley.

We’ve Met Before

Apart from Routledge having played for Spurs and Bale being well acquainted with his Wales captain, Ashley Williams and Wales colleague, Ben Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Steven Caulker will be returning to the club where they played last season. Both were on loan, Caulker for the season from Tottenham and Sigurdsson from Hoffenheim from January, 2012. They had a major impact on Swansea’s first season in the Premier League, Caulker impressed in 26 appearances while Sigurdsson announced himself to the Premier League with 7 goals in 18 appearances in midfield.

Tottenham

In December, Tottenham defeated Swansea 1 – 0 at White Hart Lane. The goal came with 15 minutes to play from Jan Vertonghen following a free-kick. It was a close competitive match and Tottenham can expect the same at the Liberty Stadium.

It’s now time for some of Tottenham’s ‘big’ players to stand up and take responsibility – they can’t expect Bale to save them in every game.

Come On You Spurs!