Matchday 15 ~ Tottenham vs Birmingham

Freddy Adu · 11-13-2007, 11:52 PM

Tottenham vs Birmingham

Premier League 2007/2008 | Campeonato | Day 15


Tottenham				Birmingham

Date
2007-12-01

City
London

Stadium
White Hart Lane

Referee

Freddy Adu · 11-30-2007, 10:38 PM

Tottenham will win this one no doubt.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 04:38 AM

Tottenham's Ghaly doesn't regret Birmingham controversy

Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly has no regrets over his failed move to Birmingham City.

Ghaly criticized his teammates when he began training with Birmingham, which eventually saw then manager Steve Bruce send him back to Spurs.

He said: "The players lacked ambition there. They were just talking about how to escape relegation."

- with Samy Sabry

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:24 PM

Tottenham v Birmingham

White Hart Lane
Sunday, 2 December
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
BBC coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on Match of the Day.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:26 PM

Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas faces a fitness test after injuring his ankle in the Uefa Cup against Aalborg.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:26 PM

Centre-back Younes Kaboul (groin) will also need to be assessed, but striker Jermain Defoe (flu) could be back.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:27 PM

Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome has recovered from a hernia operation and is in line to start Alex McLeish's first game as manager of the Blues.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:28 PM

Damien Johnson is in contention after hamstring trouble, but Wilson Palacios (visa problems) will not feature.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:28 PM

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

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:28 PM

Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kingson, Doyle, Kelly, Ridgewell, Djourou, Schmitz, Queudrue, Larsson, De Ridder, Nafti, Muamba, McSheffrey, Kapo, Jerome, Forssell, O'Connor, Danns, Parnaby, Johnson

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet:

"I've seen them a couple of times this season and they have very good players going forward that can score goals so we have to be spot on in all areas.

"We just have to make sure we go forward and defend well, make no mistakes and try to win the game. Sunday is more about the three points than anything else.

"They have a new manager, everything's changed there. Everybody's going to try to prove they want to play week in week out so it's a big game for them as well."

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:30 PM

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish:

"When you have a run of poor results, it does get to the players. We have to rebuild that confidence and get them to believe in themselves.

"There is nothing like a good result to do that. Even a good performance can do it. If we get a good showing at Tottenham we can take everything forward from there.

"Getting something at White Hart Lane will be fantastic for confidence. We know there is a crucial period coming up but the players should see it as a challenge."

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:31 PM

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Alex McLeish begins his reign as Birmingham manager and must bring to an end a three-match losing league run.

Tottenham are yet to lose under Juande Ramos, and have won four of six including a spectacular victory over Aab Aalborg in the Uefa Cup on Thursday night.

Their victory on the 11th of the 11th is their only maximum in 11 league outings; Birmingham have won one of eight, and one of 19 away Premier League matches.

Blues are one point worse off than Spurs, yet have won one more match (three to two).

Tottenham are defending a 100 percent home Premier League record over Birmingham of four wins out of four.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:31 PM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

1. Undefeated in six in all competitions; won four and drawn two since losing 1-2, home to Blackburn on 28 October. All six were under Ramos (one win and two draws of which were in the Premier League).

2. The 4-0 home win over Wigan on 11 November is their only maximum in 11 league outings.

3. The victory over the Latics was also their only clean sheet in 11 Premier League games.

4. Scored in each of the last 10 league matches, since losing 1-0 at Manchester United on 26 August - their only blank in 13 league games.

5. Three short of totalling 800 goals scored in Premier League history.

6. Need one goal either for or against to become the first team to have 50 goals on show in their Premier League matches; it's 49 at present (24 four, 25 against).

7. All but 10 of their 24 Premier League goals were scored in the first half.

8. The current total of 12 points from 14 matches is their lowest ever to this stage of a Premier League season.

9. Not lost in seven Premier League fixtures against Midlands' clubs, since the 2-0 loss away to West Brom on 28 December 2005 - their only defeat in 13 top league matches against clubs from the region.

10. A home clash with Manchester City and a visit to Portsmouth are scheduled in the league, before the pre-Christmas north London derby at Arsenal.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:31 PM

BIRMINGHAM CITY

(all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures)

1. Lost seven of the last eight in all competitions.

2. Lost six of seven Premier League matches, including the last three; the exception being a 3-2 home win over Wigan on 27 October.

3. Their three wins this season have come against bottom six clubs; Derby (a), Bolton (h) and Wigan (h).

4. Lost nine times in the highest league; only the bottom two, Wigan and Derby, have been beaten more often - 10 each.

5. Failed to keep a clean sheet in seven league outings.

6. Lost the last three on the road; against Blackburn, Manchester City and Everton.

7. Gained just one point from a last available 15 away from home since the 1-2 win at Derby on 25 August - their only victory in 19 Premier League matches away from St Andrews.

8. Scored two goals in five away league games, failing to score in three of the five.

9. The three pre-Christmas fixtures after this are against Newcastle (a), Reading (h) and Bolton (a).

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:31 PM

Robbie KEANE is Tottenham's leading scorer with 10 goals, and top Premier League marksman, with six.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:32 PM

Aaron LENNON will be making his 100th career league appearance (Leeds and Tottenham).

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:33 PM

Simon DAWKINS will be playing the day after turning 20.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:33 PM

Darren BENT will be making his 200th start in club football (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:34 PM

Michael DAWSON will also be making his 200th start in club football (Nottingham Forest and Tottenham).

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:34 PM

Olivier KAPO is Birmingham's top scorer and top Premier League marksman, with five goals.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:35 PM

Cameron JEROME has netted the quickest goal of this Premier League season, officially timed at 33 seconds; away to Derby on 25 August.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:35 PM

KAPO, Stephen KELLY and Liam RIDGEWELL have played every minute of every one of Birmingham's Premier League games this season.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:36 PM

Garry O'CONNOR is a hat-trick shy of 50 goals in English and Scottish league football (Hibernian and Birmingham).

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:36 PM

KELLY will be facing the club where he began his professional career. The 24 year old defender made 44 appearances (37 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs before signing for Birmingham for 750,000 in June 2006.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:37 PM

KELLY will be making his 50th league start in a Birmingham shirt.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:37 PM

Fabrice MUAMBA will be making his 50th start for Blues.

Freddy Adu · 12-01-2007, 02:37 PM

HEAD TO HEAD

Birmingham have won only one of their last 11 league visits to White Hart Lane.

It was on 25 February 1984 when the Blues last claimed maximum points at the north London club, with a 0-1 victory courtesy of a late Mick Harford goal.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 38 wins, Birmingham 24, Draws 14
Prem: Spurs 5 wins, Birmingham 1, Draws 2

at Spurs only
League (inc PL): Spurs 25 wins, Birmingham 7, Draws 6
Prem: Spurs 4 wins, Birmingham 0, Draws 0

11-30-2007, 10:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Tottenham will win this one no doubt.

12-01-2007, 04:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Tottenham's Ghaly doesn't regret Birmingham controversy Tottenham midfielder Hossam Ghaly has no regrets over his failed move to Birmingham City. Ghaly criticized his teammates when he began training with Birmingham, which eventually saw then manager Steve Bruce send him back to Spurs. He said: "The players lacked ambition there. They were just talking about how to escape relegation." - with Samy Sabry

12-01-2007, 02:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas faces a fitness test after injuring his ankle in the Uefa Cup against Aalborg.

12-01-2007, 02:26 PM	#6 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Centre-back Younes Kaboul (groin) will also need to be assessed, but striker Jermain Defoe (flu) could be back.

12-01-2007, 02:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Birmingham striker Cameron Jerome has recovered from a hernia operation and is in line to start Alex McLeish's first game as manager of the Blues.

12-01-2007, 02:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Damien Johnson is in contention after hamstring trouble, but Wilson Palacios (visa problems) will not feature.

12-01-2007, 02:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Lee, Stalteri, Chimbonda, Dawson, Bale, Zokora, Jenas, Malbranque, Lennon, Tainio, Boateng, Taarabt, Huddlestone, Keane, Berbatov, Bent, Defoe.

12-01-2007, 02:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Birmingham (from): Taylor, Kingson, Doyle, Kelly, Ridgewell, Djourou, Schmitz, Queudrue, Larsson, De Ridder, Nafti, Muamba, McSheffrey, Kapo, Jerome, Forssell, O'Connor, Danns, Parnaby, Johnson

12-01-2007, 02:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Tottenham assistant manager Gus Poyet: "I've seen them a couple of times this season and they have very good players going forward that can score goals so we have to be spot on in all areas. "We just have to make sure we go forward and defend well, make no mistakes and try to win the game. Sunday is more about the three points than anything else. "They have a new manager, everything's changed there. Everybody's going to try to prove they want to play week in week out so it's a big game for them as well."

12-01-2007, 02:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Birmingham boss Alex McLeish: "When you have a run of poor results, it does get to the players. We have to rebuild that confidence and get them to believe in themselves. "There is nothing like a good result to do that. Even a good performance can do it. If we get a good showing at Tottenham we can take everything forward from there. "Getting something at White Hart Lane will be fantastic for confidence. We know there is a crucial period coming up but the players should see it as a challenge."

12-01-2007, 02:31 PM	#13 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	BIG-MATCH FACTS Alex McLeish begins his reign as Birmingham manager and must bring to an end a three-match losing league run. Tottenham are yet to lose under Juande Ramos, and have won four of six including a spectacular victory over Aab Aalborg in the Uefa Cup on Thursday night. Their victory on the 11th of the 11th is their only maximum in 11 league outings; Birmingham have won one of eight, and one of 19 away Premier League matches. Blues are one point worse off than Spurs, yet have won one more match (three to two). Tottenham are defending a 100 percent home Premier League record over Birmingham of four wins out of four.

12-01-2007, 02:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1. Undefeated in six in all competitions; won four and drawn two since losing 1-2, home to Blackburn on 28 October. All six were under Ramos (one win and two draws of which were in the Premier League). 2. The 4-0 home win over Wigan on 11 November is their only maximum in 11 league outings. 3. The victory over the Latics was also their only clean sheet in 11 Premier League games. 4. Scored in each of the last 10 league matches, since losing 1-0 at Manchester United on 26 August - their only blank in 13 league games. 5. Three short of totalling 800 goals scored in Premier League history. 6. Need one goal either for or against to become the first team to have 50 goals on show in their Premier League matches; it's 49 at present (24 four, 25 against). 7. All but 10 of their 24 Premier League goals were scored in the first half. 8. The current total of 12 points from 14 matches is their lowest ever to this stage of a Premier League season. 9. Not lost in seven Premier League fixtures against Midlands' clubs, since the 2-0 loss away to West Brom on 28 December 2005 - their only defeat in 13 top league matches against clubs from the region. 10. A home clash with Manchester City and a visit to Portsmouth are scheduled in the league, before the pre-Christmas north London derby at Arsenal.

12-01-2007, 02:31 PM	#15 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	BIRMINGHAM CITY (all statistics are ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures) 1. Lost seven of the last eight in all competitions. 2. Lost six of seven Premier League matches, including the last three; the exception being a 3-2 home win over Wigan on 27 October. 3. Their three wins this season have come against bottom six clubs; Derby (a), Bolton (h) and Wigan (h). 4. Lost nine times in the highest league; only the bottom two, Wigan and Derby, have been beaten more often - 10 each. 5. Failed to keep a clean sheet in seven league outings. 6. Lost the last three on the road; against Blackburn, Manchester City and Everton. 7. Gained just one point from a last available 15 away from home since the 1-2 win at Derby on 25 August - their only victory in 19 Premier League matches away from St Andrews. 8. Scored two goals in five away league games, failing to score in three of the five. 9. The three pre-Christmas fixtures after this are against Newcastle (a), Reading (h) and Bolton (a).

12-01-2007, 02:31 PM	#16 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Robbie KEANE is Tottenham's leading scorer with 10 goals, and top Premier League marksman, with six.

12-01-2007, 02:32 PM	#17 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Aaron LENNON will be making his 100th career league appearance (Leeds and Tottenham).

12-01-2007, 02:33 PM	#18 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Simon DAWKINS will be playing the day after turning 20.

12-01-2007, 02:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Darren BENT will be making his 200th start in club football (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).

12-01-2007, 02:34 PM	#20 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Michael DAWSON will also be making his 200th start in club football (Nottingham Forest and Tottenham).

12-01-2007, 02:34 PM	#21 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Olivier KAPO is Birmingham's top scorer and top Premier League marksman, with five goals.

12-01-2007, 02:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Cameron JEROME has netted the quickest goal of this Premier League season, officially timed at 33 seconds; away to Derby on 25 August.

12-01-2007, 02:35 PM	#23 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	KAPO, Stephen KELLY and Liam RIDGEWELL have played every minute of every one of Birmingham's Premier League games this season.

12-01-2007, 02:36 PM	#24 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Garry O'CONNOR is a hat-trick shy of 50 goals in English and Scottish league football (Hibernian and Birmingham).

12-01-2007, 02:36 PM	#25 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	KELLY will be facing the club where he began his professional career. The 24 year old defender made 44 appearances (37 in the league) and scored two league goals for Spurs before signing for Birmingham for 750,000 in June 2006.

12-01-2007, 02:37 PM	#26 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	KELLY will be making his 50th league start in a Birmingham shirt.

12-01-2007, 02:37 PM	#27 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	Fabrice MUAMBA will be making his 50th start for Blues.

12-01-2007, 02:37 PM	#28 (permalink)
Freddy Adu Fredua Koranteng Adu Offline Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Estados Unidos Posts: 256,709 vCash: 20158194 Rep Points: 916	HEAD TO HEAD Birmingham have won only one of their last 11 league visits to White Hart Lane. It was on 25 February 1984 when the Blues last claimed maximum points at the north London club, with a 0-1 victory courtesy of a late Mick Harford goal. Home and away League (inc PL): Spurs 38 wins, Birmingham 24, Draws 14 Prem: Spurs 5 wins, Birmingham 1, Draws 2 at Spurs only League (inc PL): Spurs 25 wins, Birmingham 7, Draws 6 Prem: Spurs 4 wins, Birmingham 0, Draws 0