Slaven Bilić: Tottenham at White Hart Lane is a Special Game

By Alexander Balano | Nov 18, 2016

ROMFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Slaven Bilic of West Ham United answers the questions of the assembled Media during his Press Conference at Rush Green on November 3, 2016 in Romford, England. (Photo by Avril Husband/West Ham United via Getty Images) /

Saturday’s London derby will pit fifth-placed Tottenham against 17th-placed West Ham United in a showdown that could turn both club’s seasons around.

Slaven Bilić only spent one season with West Ham United as a footballer, but during the 1996-97 Premier League campaign the now-48-year-old manager recalls of a “special” game wherein the Hammers defeated Tottenham at White Hart Lane 1-0.

“I made my debut of course there, I remember that game,” Bilić said previewing tomorrow’s London derby (via Spurs’ official site). “It was always and is always going to be a special game, a derby, maybe the biggest game of the season for us when we play them. We won that game 1-0 and of course I have good memories about that.”

That one victory 20 years ago on November 2nd, 1996 is just one of West Ham’s 15 total wins at White Hart Lane. A place that the Hammers have struggled all-time.

In 63 attempts, West Ham have lost 32 times. In fact, they have managed more draws (16) than wins (15) in a lopsided East versus North London derby when the game takes place at Tottenham.

The amount of losses in north London doesn’t bode too well for a side that not only has six losses already this season — tied for third-worst with Crystal Palace — but is just one point above the relegation zone with 11.

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Slaven Bilić understands there is still plenty of football left for his side to remain safe in the Premiership. After all, the Croatian manager has gotten his team to play their best this year since the start of October, only losing once in their last five league games.

That upward trend in form is something that the 48-year-old gaffer hopes can continue, but knows that Spurs will be a difficult test even if they have struggled to pick up a win since beating Manchester City.

“You can say that on one hand, in October, Spurs didn’t win a game but on the other hand, they are the only team that is unbeaten,” Bilić said.

“They are doing a good job and they’ve had a tough season because they’ve had a couple of injuries. Of course, the individual quality is there, the players are unique, they run a lot, they press a lot and it is enjoyable to watch them.”

“They are solid, they are electric but it’s a good opportunity because we have improved and if we play good, we have a chance no matter who we are playing.”

“Of course, it’s a very tough game – especially away. They are very comfortable in their stadium, it’s very tight, it’s a good home ground but we are looking forward to it.”

Working against West Ham tomorrow afternoon, besides history showing that the Hammers’ have found it difficult to win at White Hart Lane, Slaven Bilić must find a way for his team to get back on track offensively and defensively.

Next: Tottenham Opposition Scouting Report: West Ham

As Hotspur HQ’s Ryan Wrenn examined in his regularly scheduled opposition scouting reports, West Ham have struggled to score and defend this term.

Last year goals came from many sources, so much that the team averaged 1.71 goals per Premier League game. On the defensive side of the ball, they conceded only 1.34 goals which explains why they were a tough opponent to face, finishing seventh in the league table.

Those numbers have dropped immensely this term with a goal scored per game and conceding 1.81. The team has remained the same — with players being brought in during the summer — but have fallen back to Earth.

Even though the Hammers have bounced back in recent weeks, in front of them is a difficult road game, a London derby. And if we’re going by the numbers, West Ham have lost four out of five away matches this year stacking the odds against them.