*** SPURS v WIGAN *** Official Match Thread

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[SIZE=-2](thanks to chuba for the banner)[/SIZE]​

As we look for our first league win under our new manager, it would appear that the footballing gods are smiling on us as our opponent today appears to be in a worse state than us. Hopefully this doesn't backfire on us and we can pick up the much needed 3 points.

The Official Site Team News:

It's a case of as you were in terms of team news as Juande Ramos prepares for the visit of Wigan to the Lane on Sunday.

The same five players - all defensive - are out for Wigan as missed Thursday night's win against Hapoel Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup.

That means Gareth Bale (foot), Ricardo Rocha, Anthony Gardner (both ankle injuries), Ledley King and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (both knee injuries) remained sidelined.

Skysports.com Preview:

Tottenham and Wigan meet at White Hart Lane on Sunday with both clubs looking for success after disappointing recent fortunes.

Spurs recorded a comfortable 2-0 Uefa Cup win over Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, but the result was overshadowed by the continuing controversy surrounding the future of Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian forward is thought to be unsettled in North London and is rumoured to be heading for a January departure, while Spurs are also still bedding in after the arrival of new boss Juande Ramos.

Meanwhile, Wigan are reeling from recent managerial upheaval themselves following the dismissal of Chris Hutchings.

Ramos, who replaced Martin Jol in October, will be keen for his first three Premier League points as he makes his home debut in the competition.

Injury

Gareth Bale, Anthony Gardner, Ricardo Rocha, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and long-term absentee Ledley King all missed the victory over Hapoel through injury and are unlikely to feature against Wigan.

Ramos is expected to continue with Berbatov and Robbie Keane in attack after the striking duo both hit the back of the net in Thursday's victory.

The Latics have never beaten Tottenham and caretaker manager Frank Barlow will also be keen not to add to a run of eight Premier League defeats from 12 games this season.

Barlow, though, will be without goalkeeper Carlo Nash who has been ruled out for up to three months after fracturing his fibula in a training ground accident.

Star striker Emile Heskey is again set to miss out as he continues his rehabilitation from a fractured metatarsal.

BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):

Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Lee, Kaboul, Dawson, Tainio, Jenas, Zokora, Lennon, Malbranque, Boateng, Huddlestone, Taarabt, Routledge, Bent, Defoe, Berbatov, Keane.

Wigan Squad (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Granqvist, Bramble, Boyce, Kilbane, Koumas, Landzaat, Brown, Scharner, Valencia, Sibierski, Bent, Aghahowa, Skoko, Taylor, Pollitt, Olembe, Hall.

Interesting Stats:

Wigan will be looking to record their first ever win against us.

This match pits the worst home record in the Premier League against the longest losing run.

We have dropped 16 Premier League points from winning positions; that's more than any other club, including Fulham, who've dropped 15.

We have failed to score in only two of 12 league games this term, and boasting the sharpest attack outside the top five.

Wigan have conceded more goals in the last 10 minutes of Premier League this season than any other club; seven.

Wigan have only scored two first half goals in this Premier League campaign - fewer than any other club. (Spurs have netted 11 times in the first period - more than any other club.)

Team:

Subs: Cerny, Tainio, Bent, Defoe, Archibald-Henville

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3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, Don't forget to check [thread=22943]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]


[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]

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[DixieNormous]

yay, christmas don't come early but 3pts for you all!

 

[SpurSince57]

Today's anniversary is a corker!

Spurs 10 Everton 4

The first match of the managerial career of Bill Nicholson was an amazing introduction to League football. With only three victories and nine points in the opening eleven games, Spurs season was in danger of becoming a struggle against relegation. They were only one place off the bottom of the League when Nicholson took charge and his first decision was to restore Tommy Harmer to the team. He helped to inspire Spurs to an incredible victory. They were 6-1 ahead at half-time and the goal scorers were Bobby Smith(4), Alf Stokes(2), Johnny Ryden, Terry Medwin, Tommy Harmer and George Robb. No-one realised that this was only an introduction to the excitement and success that Nicholson was to bring to the club over the next sixteen years.

(Thanks to Topspurs)

I wuz there, my first First XI game at the Lane!

 

[sim0n]

I'd love to see Taarabt get a run out as Spurs thrash wigan,... but we'll see

COYS!! :beer:

 

[Yorkshireyiddo]

3 points and i'll be happy.

 

[Chuba]

A Must WIN!

COYS!

 

[night-watchman]

I'd love to see Taarabt get a run out as Spurs thrash wigan,... but we'll see

COYS!! :beer:

agree, I dream of a midfield of:
Lennon Boateng Malbranque Taarabt

that could really tear wigan to shreds although i guess the defensive aspect to our game would be lost...........not that their is one

COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[eddiebailey]

Today's anniversary is a corker!

Spurs 10 Everton 4

I wuz there, my first First XI game at the Lane!

The oldest hath borne most; we that are young / shall never see so much nor live so long...

 

[ladi100]

The oldest hath borne most; we that are young / shall never see so much nor live so long...

Dont speak too soon............im quietly optimistic about this one

 

[SpurSince57]

'… so we'll live,
And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
At gilded butterflies'

 

[TheChosenOne]

Today's anniversary is a corker!

Spurs 10 Everton 4

The first match of the managerial career of Bill Nicholson was an amazing introduction to League football. With only three victories and nine points in the opening eleven games, Spurs season was in danger of becoming a struggle against relegation. They were only one place off the bottom of the League when Nicholson took charge and his first decision was to restore Tommy Harmer to the team. He helped to inspire Spurs to an incredible victory. They were 6-1 ahead at half-time and the goal scorers were Bobby Smith(4), Alf Stokes(2), Johnny Ryden, Terry Medwin, Tommy Harmer and George Robb. No-one realised that this was only an introduction to the excitement and success that Nicholson was to bring to the club over the next sixteen years.

(Thanks to Topspurs)

I wuz there, my first First XI game at the Lane!

Happy Anniversary SS,
A similiar score today is not impossible but unlikely !

I think it was Tommy Harmer who went on to teach PE at my mates school down in Dalston/Hoxton, and the tricks he could do were unreal.

 

[nicdic]

I had a dream that Keane pulled his hamstring in the warmup, and Bent and Berbatov started together.

 

[nidge]

I had a dream that Keane pulled his hamstring in the warmup, and Bent and Berbatov started together.

:roll:

 

[SimpleSimonSays]

How are we feeling this morning

Morning troops
what's the general feeling about the game today?
I actually feel quite confident today. I think we'll win, probably 2-0. I don't think we'll be too flash today, just a more solid performance. The lads will focus on their primary jobs first before going off on a jolly down the pitch (hope you're reading this Chimbo). I think Ramos has taken them back to basics and will, over the coming months, take them back to where we want to be in terms of style but with renewed vigour and confidence. Anyway,for all those going to the game today, I wish I was with you and for the rest of us keep shouting support at those computer screens. COYS :stupid::beer::beer::beer:

 

[StockSpur]

nervous

 

[nicdic]

Hungry, but breakfast is helping.

 

[steveitr]

rough!

Think a win is on the cards today stupidly confident

COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Legend10]

After playing away in europe it would be difficult to pick a better fixture than this (other than Derby)

It's time for us to stand up this season and put down a marker, anything other than a win will be a major set back.

The much maligned JJ to open the scoring in a 3-1 win.

COYS

 

[SpurSince57]

Quietly confident.

 

[nidge]

I am feeling that this is match chat so off to the official match thread with you.