Pat impressed with defence
The team laid down a defensive marker in the Premier League on Sunday – now they can do the same in Europe.
Sunday’s goalless draw at Everton made it seven clean sheets in our first 10 league matches – the first time we’ve achieved that feat.
If we follow up with another shut-out against FC Sheriff in the Europa League on Thursday night, it will be six on the trot in Europe this term.
That will match our run of six-successive clean sheets from our successful UEFA Cup campaign in 1971-72, the best in our European history.
Bill Nicholson’s team kept out IBK Keflavik (H), Nantes (H and A), Rapid Bucharest (H and A) and U T Arad (A) on the way to beating Wolves in the two-legged final in 1972.
Pat Jennings was in goal throughout that campaign. “We were strong defensively and it’s important if you want to progress in Europe,” said the legendary goalkeeper.
“Things are going well defensively at the moment. The good thing is if you are keeping clean sheets, whenever you score in a game, you have a great chance of winning.”
Pat played 36 times for us in Europe between 1964-77. He was in goal for our two UEFA Cup Finals of 1972 and 1974, plus a run to the semi-finals in 1972-73, when we lost out to Liverpool on goal difference.
It could be a historic night against the Moldovan champions - Jermain Defoe needs one goal to become our all-time top goalscorer in Europe, he's currently level with Martin Chivers on 22.