Tottenham v Blackburn: Will H Or Samuel Win Battle Of Rough Diamonds?

Big Sam Allardyce has stolen all the headlines going into this game, by slagging off Rafa Benitez (well done) and subtly indicating that we bottled our last attempt at breaking into the top four (boo).

Whilst I don’t disagree with the fact that a lack of bottle might again be our undoing, a far more pressing problem against Blackburn will be that most of our midfield will are injured.

Playing in the centre against Fulham, Modric was alright without being brilliant, but you can bet that Big Sam will be priming his Blackburn brutes to bully our little playmaker out of the game.

The trouble is that we haven’t got many other options. Kaboul was touted is a useful utility man when he rejoined us, but has so far failed to convince, after a poor performance as a right back against Wolves and an uninspiring spell in central midfield against Everton.

It looked as if Kaboul had absolutely no idea where to position himself alongside Wilson and if he’s unable to play at full back or in midfield, we can only hope that he’s become a better central defender than he was when first at the club.

Another option is moving Corluka into central midfield. I remember hearing of him playing a blinder for Manchester City in a midfield position and he has many of the attributes to take on the Hudd role; strength, passing ability and a complete lack of pace.

Yet this then poses the question as to who will fill Corluka’s role at right back. Again we go back to Kaboul, or Kyle Walker, but if Harry is willing to take a risk on the youngster at full back, then he might as well pick a young player like Livermore, Bostock and Parrett, rather than switch everyone around.

I can’t see it though and am expecting to see the same side that took on Fulham, with the obvious change of Defoe coming in for Crouch, should he shake off his hamstring injury.

It just seems like poor old Palacios will be left with a lot of donkey work to do on his own, while we rely on Bale, Modric and Kranjcar to fight the attacking fight. Like Modric, I thought that Bale was alright against Fulham, without hitting the heights that he would normally manage in his regular position.

Blackburn have not won an away game in 10 attempts, so this is really one we should be winning, but having said that, we have to remember that Stoke, Wolves and Hull have all got pretty terrible away records as well.

It is because of these results that failure on this occasion is really not an option. April promises some very tough challenges, so it’s time to reap in the points while we can.

Come on you Spurs!