The relegation class of 77

Jennings: almost perfect . . . 9 Keller: consistent performer . . . 7

Terry Naylor v Stephen Carr

A steady defender who went on to record 237 League appearances for Spurs, Naylor never realised his full potential. Often caught out for pace, Naylor comes off second best to right-back Carr, whose desire to get forward and his overall defending gives him the edge. Now injury-free, Carr is fast approaching his best form although has yet to show his old lightning pace.

Naylor: dependable . . . 7 Carr: getting back to his best . . . 8

Willie Young v Mauricio Taricco

Young, who left for Arsenal in March 1977 after 19 appearances that season, was too error prone and loses out to Taricco despite the Argentinian's lack of pace. Taricco's overall tenacity and shooting, when he chooses to let fly, puts him ahead of Young.

Young: too many errors . . . 6 Taricco: uncompromising . . . 7

Steve Perryman v Anthony Gardner

Perryman was a terrier-like midfielder and fine creator but injuries in the squad meant he spent most of this season at centre-half. Gardner has the potential to become an England regular. Still gets caught out and makes the odd mistake under pressure but overall he has been one of the plus points for Spurs. At 6ft 4ins, he is the tallest defender in the Premiership but still doesn't win as many headers as he should.

Perryman: class act . . . 9 Gardner: great potential . . . 7

Keith Osgood v Dean Richards

Alongside Perryman, Osgood was the only other ever-present and was often the last line of defence for a side in trouble. Richards lacks pace on occasions but has produced some fine displays this season and his determination and heading puts him just in front of his counterpart. Osgood: vastly under-rated . . . 7 Richards: committed . . . 8

John Pratt v Rohan Ricketts

A hardworking and talented player, Pratt was often overlooked because he was alongside Hoddle in midfield. Ricketts has become a firm favourite with fans this season but tends to drift in and out of games. He has great potential but needs to adapt more quickly if he is to realise it.

Pratt: deserved more credit . . . 8 Ricketts: more work to do . . .7

Glenn Hoddle v Darren Anderton

Hoddle's midfield artistry and his ability for the defence-splitting pass meant there were few who could live with him. Surprisingly, though, he scored just four goals in 39 games that season. Anderton comes off a poor second to Hoddle but then who wouldn't? Anderton has been among the better performers this season especially since Hoddle the manager left. He has rediscovered his scoring touch but too many passes go astray and he is often beaten for pace during the latter stages of games.

Hoddle: a pass master . . . 9 Anderton: winner on his day . . . 7

Ralph Coates v Ledley King

The midfielder with the hairstyle that resembled Bobby Charlton made 28 appearances in midfield this season but went to Orient in 1978. Coates was a tenacious midfielder but often failed to live up to his potential. He comes out on top mainly because King is a converted centre-back. Seen as the answer to the club's defensive midfield crisis, King has struggled to fill the role this season. His passing is also lacking at crucial times.

Coates: unfulfilled promise . . . 7 King: fish out of water . . . 6

Peter Taylor v Gustavo Poyet

Taylor's trickery and ball control were a marvel to watch when he was on song. The England winger made 31 appearances in the relegation season scoring eight goals. He played an integral part in the return to Division One the following season. Poyet is not in the same league as the skilful Taylor and has been forced to play in the heart of midfield due to injuries. The 36-year-old still has the experience and guile to create openings but the legs do not have the same desire to play as his brain.

Taylor: a wing wizard . . . 8 Poyet: seen better days . . . 6

Chris Jones v Robbie Keane

Jones never really fulfilled his potential at Spurs. A hard-working centre-forward with an eye for goal, he was the top scorer this season with nine of the club's 48 goals. It is in the forward department that current Spurs team have the edge over the 1976/77 side. Keane and Freddie Kanoute are much better in front of goal than Jones and Gerry Armstrong were. Keane's guile and a fine eye for goal marks him out as one of the best strikers in the Premiership. He's had a poor season by his standards with a tendency to overcomplicate things.

Jones: came up short . . . 7 Keane: striking excellence . . . 9

Gerry Armstrong v Freddie Kanoute

Armstrong ended the season with three goals from 20 games while team-mate Ian Moores scored just two from 16. It was this lack of firepower that cost Spurs dear. The arrival of John Duncan improved matters but too late. Kanoute has scored seven goals this season and struck up a fine partnership with Keane. Spurs will need his goals for the remainder of the season if they are to stay up and his absence at the African Nations Cup has infuriated the club. But there is no doubting his ability to turn a game with a spectacular shot.

Armstrong: lacked goals . . . 7 Kanoute: French mustard . . . 8

Keith Burkinshaw v David Pleat

Burkinshaw became manager when Terry Neill quit for Arsenal in the summer of 1976. Burkinshaw could not stop the rot and Spurs were relegated to Division One. He was popular with the players but was dogged by injuries to key players like Jennings, Gorman and Don McAllister in the relegation season. He went on to lead them back into the top flight the following year. There is no doubt Pleat has the ability to keep Spurs in the Premiership and he has cleverly steadied the ship since Hoddle's departure. Like Burkinshaw, his motivational techniques are effective. In another of his managerial spells, Pleat led Spurs to the 1987 FA Cup Final where they lost to Coventry.

Burkinshaw: solid manager . . . 8 Pleat: clever tactician . . . 8

OVERALL: Old Spurs . . . 92 Current Spurs . . . 88