(to the top division via their performances ON the footie field)

A year ago I wrote “So, another new season is finally here, and there are three more changes to the membership of the Premiership. We say goodbye to Sunderland, West Brom and Birmingham City, and I have to admit I’m not going to miss any of them.“ Well another season is here and typically we welcome back two of those three teams, Sunderland, and Birmingham City (West Brom made it to the play offs). 

Sunderland may have been rubbish the season before last, but after a disappointing start to the season Roy Keane got some much better performances out of his team resulting in their winning the title by two points from second placed Birmingham City, and enabling him to be victorious in the battle between the two ex Man United captains. 

Spurs (fans – the players and staff will fly surely ?) face a long trip to Sunderland this weekend for season’s opener and will hope that as with our trip to the North East in August 1992, we can burst the promoted team’s bubble (back then a single goal from Teddy Sheringham saw us take all three points from newly promoted media darlings Newcastle United). As for Hossam Ghaly-less Birmingham we don’t get to play them until December 1^st when they visit the Lane. 

Derby Country won promotion through the play offs and must be relieved that they did having actually finished in third place, just two points behind Birmingham but a hefty eight points ahead of west midlands duo West Brom and Wolves. For the Rams, who visit WHL on 18^th August for our first home Saturday game of the season, this will be their first top flight campaign since relegation in 2003. 

Of last season’s relegated clubs two were from the capital: Charlton Athletic and Watford. Their departure is possibly a good thing as its generally better to have fewer London derbies, although with these clubs in particular we’d enjoyed good results last year, beating Charlton twice (hammering them 5-1 at the Lane and relegating them via two goals in the return) and Watford at home (I don’t need to remind anyone about the battle of the goalkeepers that day), although only (just about) getting a goalless draw at Vicarage Road. 

The third club to be relegated was of course West Ham United… 

This is Spurs 30^th consecutive season in the top division – a continuation of a club record started last season.  As I said this time a year ago, a spot of silverware would be nice… 

Paul Lederer

*: Thierry Henry headed south this summer, will any remaining Goons please follow ?