Express & Star

It is fair to say the Seventies and early Eighties left Spurs as uncomfortable bedfellows for Wolves given some hugely disappointing results, especially in the biggest three showpieces in which the two clubs locked horns.

Across the two legs of the UEFA Cup Final in 1972, Spurs prevailed by a one-goal margin. The same in the League Cup semi-finals later that year. And then, a 2-2 draw in an FA Cup semi-final in 1981 before clear daylight in the replay with a 3-0 victory for Tottenham.

From the 1970/71 season to 1983/84, Wolves won just four of 28 meetings. So, it’s clear to see where Richards and Hibbitt are coming from!

But what about the view from the opposition? And the often leader of the opposition?

Steve Perryman MBE captained Tottenham for many years, to many trophies. He is their record appearance maker, chalking up a staggering 866 in both defence and midfield during 17 years spent at White Hart Lane.

In November, he is coming up to Stourbridge Rugby Club, to speak to a newly formed supporters’ club, the Dudley Spurs, a night which will also support a charity, the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust. That’s because Perryman survived an aortic dissection in 2012, and speaks regularly about his recovery journey and the importance of early diagnosis and awareness.

Perryman is what you would call a true ‘football man’. At 73, his powers of recollection, and thoughts on the game, remain razor sharp. Whether it’s memories of Spurs, of being managed by Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw, of games, of modern football terminology, he has a forthright approach which underpins - and offers plenty of evidence - as to why his career was so successful.

“I was lucky enough to work under Bill and Keith, two of the most successful managers of the club,” Perryman explains.

“They were both straight-talking Yorkshiremen, and I think I linked well with them because I was homegrown.

“Also, neither of them were managers who were great at saying ‘well done, you played well today’. There wasn’t a lot of praise going about.

“If you were one of those players who needed that, then you had it all to do, but I didn’t need that, I was happy in my own skin.

“Sometimes, when you stay at a club for such a long time, people think you must be a crawler or similar, but I think I had more rows with managers and chairmen during my time than any other player I remember.

“That’s simply because I am a football man, and I stand up for football, so if something was working against football, I would let it be known.”

A football man for sure. It’s not very often that these pages would feature the thoughts of an opposition former player. But in this case, it most definitely feels worthy. Both because Perryman is very much a footballing legend, and also with his impending visit to the patch to Dudley Spurs.

And also, his memories of Wolves. Which are extremely positive. Probably because of those stats mentioned above.

“What I do remember about all those games with Wolves is that they were never nasty games,” Perryman recalls.

“We were two footballing teams as such, and whoever beat anyone on the day, it was down to the football.

“I have read in recent years about ‘Bill Nic’ going into the Wolves dressing room after the second leg of the UEFA Cup final, and saying how unlucky they were to only draw and not overturn our advantage.

“That is the sort of thing he would do, and I do remember that we struggled in the second leg.

“The first game was the Chivers game, wasn’t it? Martin Chivers scoring a header and then a fantastic strike.

“Those big occasions against Wolves, the really big occasions, they always seemed to go our way.

“I do always remember that big terrace at Molineux behind the goal, the South Bank I believe, which was particularly impressive both with the numbers and the noise.

“And then the dressing rooms, being so close to the road outside – you could hear everything the fans were saying walking past and look out and see your family and friends waiting to collect their tickets!”

The specifics then. Of those big games.

The League Cup semi-final in 1972/73 saw Wolves lost the home leg 2-1, hitting back to win the second leg by the same scoreline, only to be denied by Chivers – yes him again – scoring in extra time.

Before that came the UEFA final. Wolves players involved have all gone on record to suggest – and with no animosity towards Tottenham – that they would have preferred to have faced European opposition in the final, especially having been on a tour of the continent featuring Portugal, Holland, East Germany, Italy and Hungary.

Well, it turns out, they weren’t alone.

“Our semi-final was against AC Milan, and before the second leg, Bill (Nicholson) told us that all our wives would be treated to a trip to the final if we got there,” says Perryman.

“We got back in the dressing room after qualifying after the second leg, and it turns out it was Wolverhampton!

“I’m not sure the wives were too impressed - they were hoping to have a bit of a trip away and didn’t even have to get on a plane!”

Perryman is seemingly too modest to point out that he notched both goals in the 2-1 win against AC Milan in the first leg of that semi-final.

Spurs then prevailed across the two legs of the final against Wolves, and then nine years later, won the FA Cup semi-final replay, played not too far away at Arsenal’s Highbury stadium, after a 2-2 draw in the initial tie at Hillsborough.

His appointment at the start of June as Albion head coach on a three-year deal is the former midfielder's first permanent senior head coach or manager role.

Mason is also the youngest Baggies boss for a century but the club's owners Bilkul had no concerns about his relatively tender years. Mason, who was forced to retire from playing through injury in 2018, has been a coach ever since as he began his post-playing journey in north London just a couple of months later.

The highly-regarded coach held a variety of roles at Spurs, from under-19s coach to assistant coach via two spells in senior interim charge. That range of experience has helped Mason settle into his new club and pick up the habits and personalities of several dozen players and staff.

"No honestly - it doesn't feel a lot," Mason replied when asked about a busy settling in period. "I've been in a position now for a number of years on this side, as a coach I've been coaching for eight years.

"I've headed up academies, headed a Premier League side and been part of it.

"There's always that challenge. I've come from an environment where there are so many different cultures - South Americans, Europeans, English.

"It's something where you need to adapt and I think different people respond to different things and your communication is important.

"That side of it feels normal for me. I've been in football a very long time, as a player as well. So that helps."

Mason has approached his Baggies role in a hands-on manner since taking over. His clarity in messages and coaching has impressed the squad and staff, as well as the intensity of his work.

The head coach was able to keep a watching brief with his new staff Sam Pooley and Nigel Gibbs in Austria last week as he saw player relations "organically" continue to grow.

Albion took a playing cohort of 31 out to Burgenland - from the club's longest-serving senior in Kyle Bartley to academy youngsters Joe Wallis and Mo Diomande, who have only been at the club for a year.

A confident Mason added: "The pleasing thing for me is it feels like I'm coming into a stable playing group and the staff feels stable as well. That's key because hopefully we can kick on and accelerate the progress as quickly as possible."

The latest report has claimed Albion are keen to bring Will Lankshear back to The Hawthorns next season.

Lankshear had limited game time but did impress in his cameo appearances - and could make a real impact in the Championship next season.

However, one transfer link that came prior to Mason's arrival was reported Albion interest in Spurs hotshot Jamie Donley.

The Northern Ireland attacking midfielder enjoyed a superb season on loan at Leyton Orient, where he netted eight times across 47 games in all competitions.

The 20-year-old seems to be hot property for clubs looking to make a loan move - and Albion were credited with interest in Donley right back at the start of the window.

And there has been an update on the Spurs youngster.

According to Football London, Spurs have rejected a host of loan advances from clubs keen to take Donley for next season. It is unsure at this stage whether one of those enquiries came from Albion.

The reason Spurs have turned down advances from clubs is due to the fact new boss Thomas Frank is keen to see what Donley is like in pre-season.

Frank was only appointed as the new Spurs boss earlier this month, and is keen to run the rule over the Spurs young talents.

The reports have stated that Spurs will reassess the situation on Donley and other potential youngsters going out on loan later in the summer transfer window.

The 33-year-old has become the youngest manager in the hotseat at Albion since 1902, but already boasts seven-and-a-half years of coaching experience with Spurs.

Not only did Mason play under Mauricio Pochettino, but he has also worked under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Ange Postecoglou across his coaching career.

Mason also had two separate spells as caretaker manager: firstly in 2021, and again in 2023.

In his first spell, Mason became the youngest manager in Premier League history aged 29, and oversaw a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.

And the new Albion boss feels the experience of working under such reputable managers will help him in his quest to bring success again to the Hawthorns.

"You'd be silly not to take bits from the people I've worked with," Mason told the club.

"Not only as a player, but also as a coach, I've had exposure to some of the best managers in the world and I don't take that for granted.

"Obviously I know myself as well and my core beliefs when I was a player, but also as a coach. And then to take things from multiple coaches that I've worked under, it definitely helps me.

"But also it's something that has helped me find myself a little bit clearer, understanding what I believe in and things that I really want to implement in my team. The timing just feels absolutely right."

Mason made 70 appearances during his nine years as a player at Tottenham, scoring four goals, before going onto play a further 20 times for Hull City.

In March 2015, the former midfielder even earned a solitary cap for England as a second half substitute in their 1-1 draw against Italy in Turin.

However, a serious head injury forced Mason to retire at the age of just 25 and he revealed that a career in management has always been the focus since he hung up his boots in 2018.

"My playing career got cut very short at the age of 25, so it probably accelerated the process in terms of becoming a head coach," he continued.

"When you start coaching, you have ambitions, you have goals and you start looking to the future.

"I had a great time at Tottenham in terms of my coaching career. I got exposed to many things and finished on a really good note [winning the Europa League alongside Postecoglou].

"I've been coaching for the best part of seven-and-a-half years now and I've been exposed to quite a lot at a young age.

"But in terms of coaching experience, I feel like I've accumulated quite a lot in different circumstances as well.

"But even before the end of this season, I felt the time was coming for me to maybe branch out and look for opportunities elsewhere."

It was revealed last week the 33-year-old was Albion owners Bilkul's number one candidate for The Hawthorns hotseat, from which Tony Mowbray was dismissed six weeks ago.

Mason, the former Spurs and Hull midfielder, is assistant head coach to Ange Postecoglou at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with speculation rife about the Australian's future despite the recent Europa League success.

It was understood to be the case that, following talks with Mason's representatives earlier in the hunt, the role was Mason's should he agree the move away from his boyhood club and into a permanent senior management role for the first time.

Mason was on a post-season family holiday until the latter stages of last week and it is expected that this week provides decisions and clarity for all parties having reached June, with pre-season to begin in around three weeks.

The Express & Star revealed Mason's contract in north London expires at the end of June.

Albion also identified Minnesota United chief Eric Ramsay, the Shrewsbury-born 33-year-old coach, as a target and also reportedly held talks with Dutchman Paul Simonis, who led Go Ahead Eagles to a Dutch cup success and seventh in the Eredivisie.

Hot-shot Lankshear, 19, is one of Spurs' brightest prospects and an England youth international. The Baggies won the race for his loan signature until the end of the season on Friday.

The England under-20 international is a much-needed natural centre-forward option Albion have lacked for some time in the absence of the injured Josh Maja.

Mowbray's men put five past Portsmouth two games ago but struggled to break down bottom side Plymouth on Saturday and were overcome for a frustrating 2-1 defeat.

Lankshear, who has made six senior appearances and scored one goal for Spurs, was not involved against Argyle and can make his debut at home to Sheffield Wednesday next Saturday.

Mowbray said: "I remember sitting to watch the Galatasaray game where he scored early and got sent off late on - he's a young guy, probably trying too hard that night and got two yellow cards.

"He's played at a really decent level, scored goals at the age group, let's see how he does. To be honest I've had some amazing loans and first loans that need a second loan, they're moving away from the comfort of their own environment, coming somewhere different, living on your own for the first time, not knowing anybody. Let's see how he adapts."

Albion have started without a natural striker for the last couple of games with winger Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana, a wide or central attacking midfield player, leading the line.

The head coach has enjoyed success nurturing youngsters who have gone on to be high-profile Premier League talents and Albion are hopeful Lankshear could have a similar path.

"Of course I'm pleased. I've had some success over the years with Premier League loan players, I would suggest," said the head coach. "(Amad) Diallo and Harvey Elliott as attacking players - and Adam Armstrong.

"I've spoken to Will. He's got some physicality, he knows where the back of the net is, he's just creating competition for the squad and hopefully he can come in and help us."

Albion have until 11pm on Monday to complete any final business before the transfer deadline.

The Baggies also saw loan midfielder Uros Racic return to his parent club Sassuolo before heading out to Portugal outfit Braga on loan.

The club were content for Racic's loan to end after the Serb's disappointing half-season saw him drop down the pecking order. It is understood Albion will not seek a replacement.

Mowbray said: "I think he was finding it difficult that he wasn't involved, wasn't starting, in my first two weeks here.

"I did have a good chat with him. He's going to Braga, amazing, good on him. Everyone has their own personality.

"He was frustrated, disappointed, he wanted to play, I was saying I'm just in the door and you're not in the team, I've watched you in training and the bottom line is my decision is you're not going straight into the team, I'm taking somebody else. Himself and his advisors wanted to move on and that's fine, no problem."

The Baggies have won the race for the 19-year-old hot-shot amid interest from several rivals.

Lankshear is rated as one of the top prospects in his age group in the country.

The teen has made six appearances for Tottenham’s first team and scored his first goal this season, away at Galatasaray - a Europa League clash in which he was also dismissed.

He is not registered in time to face Plymouth on Saturday lunchtime but could make his debut against Sheffield Wednesday next weekend.

Lankshear, who will join up with the squad on Monday, said: "I am delighted to join this great club. I'm looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and I can't wait to play in front of all the fans.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to compete for game time and, hopefully, score goals that can help the club push on to get promoted during my time here.

"Tony Mowbray is a manager who everyone says only good things about and I’m keen to learn as much from him as I can over the next few months."

Lankshear becomes Albion’s second signing of the January window after the £2.5million addition of Isaac Price.

The frontman scored 23 goals and was Premier League 2 player of the season last term.

Sporting Director Andrew Nestor added: "We have felt since the summer that we would need to prioritise the addition of another striker in this window and we are pleased now to have brought in Will, who we have been watching for some time and has been among our top targets for reinforcement in this area.

"We had spoken to his club prior to January and have had to be patient as agreeing loans often tends to materialise later in the window due to individual club circumstances.

"We can now look forward to having Will as part of our squad and we all believe he has the capability to make an important contribution between now and the end of the season."

He is believed to have been Albion’s top target in that area and was much sought after by several Championship clubs and overseas.

Unai Emery claims Tottenham’s bigger budget makes them favourites to beat Villa both on Sunday and in the race for the Premier League’s top four.

Villa have finished above Spurs the past two seasons, have won on both previous trips to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under Emery and currently sit five points above their rivals in the table.

But the Spaniard believes the north London club’s greater revenues - and therefore larger scope to spend under profit and sustainability rules - means it is entirely fair to cast his team in the role of underdogs.

“I am speaking about the gap between their budget and our budget,” he said. ”It was big. Then we are trying to be competitive on the field and trying to be consistent, building a strong structure in everything.

“We are improving and of course we are trying to increase our budget through Champions League, Premier League, through being intelligent in our capacity to buy and sell players.

“But the budget the others have is more than us. That is the big gap between them and us. I do not speak a lot about it but I think it makes sense, everything I am saying.”

Emery, who will be without midfielder Ross Barkley until after the international break due to injury, agrees money does not guarantee success but described Villa maintaining their position in the top four and again qualifying for the Champions League as the “greatest challenge” they could face.

He said: “The budget is not enough to be favourite, but the difference between them and us is still a big gap.

“Of course, we are not thinking of it but I have to tell everyone that there are other teams in front of us at the beginning.

But we are competing and progressively getting better, keeping the same level we are trying to set as a target. The players, the club each day we are sending the same message inside.”

Emery, meanwhile, revealed he is talking to Leon Bailey “every day” as the winger looks to rediscover the form which made him a key part of Villa’s success last season.

The Jamaica international is yet to score this season after netting 14 times last term.

Emery said: “Every day I am speaking with him about it. Of course, I am very, very demanding with him.

“He is accepting my challenge to get to his best, like he did last year, because we will need him.

“It is very important and he is working, trying to recover in everything his confidence, getting minutes and getting a good feeling and trying to get to the level he played last year or two years ago as well.

“Leon Bailey is a very specific player for us to play on the right wing and as a threat in behind. We will need him and hopefully he can recover as soon as possible.

“He is aware of the distance between himself and how he was playing last year. He is trying to recover those performances.”

Stuart Terheege was the TMO at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Villa picked up a 2-1 crucial victory at Tottenham Hotspur to move 10 points clear of the Women’s Super League relegation zone.