Reflecting On Rich Returns Against Long-Time Bogey Side

‘Oh no, not Tottenham!’ was a familiar Molineux lament both in the title-chasing days as the 1950s became the 1960s and again on the cup trail at the start of the 1970s and 1980s.

Wolves suffered more heartbreak against Spurs than at the hands of any other team across those eras as Wembley dreams disappeared and glimpses of European glory gave way to the shattering realisation of what might have been.

In recent years, though, there has been a certain turning of the wheel, with four Wolves wins and a draw from the last five meetings with the club they confront again on Saturday.

And, as is our way, we have been examining possble new angles behind the trip to North London and to what is arguably the top flight’s most impressive venue.

Eleven of the current Premier League clubs still play at what are regarded as their traditional homes. We’re talking familiarity, as in Elland Road, Villa Park, Old Trafford, Molineux and the ilk.

Spurs are one of the nine in the other sector and Wolves have visited them at three different venues in recent times. And the fact they have beaten them at each (White Hart Lane, Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium) means this weekend’s clash is one shrouded by happy memories.

Wolves have, in fact, defeated them at four different venues across that period, with Molineux completing the set.

But, stretching this theme out across past decades, how they would love to have made it five with success at Hillsborough or Highbury in the 1981 FA Cup semi-final. Or even six by also reversing the 1-0 loss they suffered against them in the 1921 final at a saturated Stamford Bridge.

By coincidence, Wolves have also emerged with away successes after visiting Brighton – their next Molineux opponents on Sunday week – at three different homes, namely The Goldstone Ground, The Withdean Stadium and now The Amex.

Wolves have also beaten Arsenal, Bournemouth, Sunderland, Manchester City, Brentford and West Ham at their current and last grounds, meaning that the only stadium in the current Premier League they have not won at is Everton, the one they haven’t yet played at.

*Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium is on the site of the old Dean Court, where Wolves won in the 1947-48 FA Cup, but the fact the pitch was rotated 90 degrees and moved away from nearby houses leads many to refer to it as a new ground rather than a rebuilt one.