Published: 30 October, 2014
by DAN CARRIER

SPURS fans and club staff were mourning the loss this week of the club’s official historian, Andy Porter, who passed away suddenly last weekend aged 54.

Andy had been following Spurs since 1967 and went for more than two decades without missing a single game, home or away. 

A firm favourite among reporters who covered Spurs, he was armed with an encyclopaedic knowledge that he was happy to share. He was also well known among those on the terraces, as he would head for a sing-song with fans, appear at evenings with club legends, and played an active role in the community side of the club. 

The Shelf’s thoughts are with his family and friends. 

Meanwhile, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has used an excuse first used by Andre Villas-Boas for his side’s three defeats at home so far this term. 

The manager claimed that the pitch was too narrow for an expansive attacking game – echoing complaints made by AVB last year.

Fans’ forums have reacted angrily to the manager’s belief that the White Hart Lane pitch size needs to be assessed, while former manager David Pleat added he believed that if Spurs were to play with two wingers on their preferred flanks instead of a narrow midfield three, greater space would open up. 

However, statistics show that despite the poor start, Spurs actually have one more point than they did last season, so it’s not all doom and gloom!