By Lev
November 17 2006

If the last two league games for Tottenham Hotspur are anything to go by, Spurs’ fans won’t be shocked by another surprise result when they face Blackburn on Sunday, having beaten the Champions two weeks ago and losing to newly-promoted Reading last time out. If the last two league games for Tottenham Hotspur are anything to go by, Spurs’ fans won’t be shocked by another surprise result when they face Blackburn on Sunday, having beaten the Champions two weeks ago and losing to newly-promoted Reading last time out. However, this may not be a bad thing at all, with their terrible away Premiership form resulting in only two goals away from White Hart Lane this season, an own goal and a penalty.

With three full England internationals pulling out of their country’s squad in midweek, Tottenham will be hoping that two of these will pull through and make the starting line-up. Jermaine Jenas has been ruled out for two weeks, but Spurs will hope to be able to call upon Aaron Lennon to terrorise the Rovers defence, and for Ledley King to do what he does best at the back.

As poor as they were last week at the Madejski Stadium, Spurs clearly have it in them to win against the teams outside the top four on a consistent basis, as their brave, but also deserved performance against Chelsea showed. Their poor away form must end soon though, or they may fall into the trap that many have done before them, and rely on the cup competitions for a place in Europe next year. Tottenham must aim for the top six year in, year out, after last season’s accomplishment of 5th place.

The back four may see the reintroduction of Pascal Chimbonda, a player who has shown everyone what all the fuss was about over his transfer in the summer. His presence was clearly missed against Reading and, if he starts, Spurs fans will be even more expectant of an improved defensive performance. However, the Frenchman’s absence cannot be used as an excuse for what was, at times, disastrous defending against the Royals and players such as Michael Dawson and Benoit Assou-Ekotto must stand up and show why they are such highly rated youngsters.

With the loss of Jenas, Martin Jol has a number of issues to consider concerning his midfield. With Didier Zokora more than likely to retain his place, the Dutchman must decide who to partner him with. Danny Murphy would be the most attacking option, but Jol has already paired Tom Huddlestone with Zokora before, albeit not yet in the League. Edgar Davids has also publicly stated his desire to play more games and this could be his chance to stake a claim for another run in the side.

With the ever-improving Hossam Ghaly and the likelihood of Lennon being passed fit, the two could be placed on either wing, or swap throughout the game. Up front, Jol must decide whether to continue playing Dimitar Berbatov, a player who seems to be taking his time adapting to the Premiership. With Hossam Ahmed Mido available again after a slight injury, the pressure will be on the Bulgarian to start having more of a say on league games, if he starts, as European form alone is not good enough for a player of his class. Although Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick in midweek for his country, he may be replaced by Jermain Defoe, who looked sharp when he was introduced on the hour mark last Sunday. The England striker did not play a minute in midweek and will need to have his shooting boots on if he does get the nod. This second striker selection will most probably depend on the tactical decisions of Jol and the fitness of levels of Keane; whether the Irishman can manage another three games in seven days.

Blackburn will still be without the influential Stephen Reid and possibly Robbie Savage also, so Kerimoglu Tugay and Aaron Mokoena will probably be kept in the middle of the park unless Savage proves his fitness. Captain of the Dutch team on Wednesday night, Andre Ooijer, will not be accompanied at the back by commentator’s nightmare Zurab Khizanishvili, as the Georgian has now picked up five bookings and serves a suspension. Andy Todd will almost certainly replace him, although Stephan Henchoz will also stake a claim for a start. Lucas Neill may also miss out and Michael Gray will most likely be the man to fill in for the Australian.

Rovers’ main attacking threat from midfield will be David Bentley, the ex-Arsenal player, and Morten Gamst Pedersen if he can overcome rib troubles. Blackburn will look for more from these two than they have offered so far this season, with Blackburn only winning two of their six home games thus far and losing four on the bounce in the league. Up front for Blackburn will be two from three; Shabani Nonda, Benni McCarthy or Jason Roberts; so Spurs’ centre halves will most definitely be in for a difficult battle.

Tottenham’s away form has got to improve soon and this is a great chance against an under strength Mark Hughes side. The decisions of the visiting coach will be crucial and after coming under fire from some fans after last week’s poor showing, Jol will want to get it right and prove he is still the man to push Spurs even further onwards and upwards. If Tottenham are as ‘tough’ as Jol wants them to be, I can see them winning a hard-fought contest by the odd goal.