- Jul 27, 2004
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- #1
So will the Carling Cup hangover continue on to it's third game or will we give West Ham a good hiding after the last two matches the players need to show they are willing to play for the club as I suspect Ramos is currently looking at what players want it and those that don't will be out the door come the summer.
The Official Site Team News:
Jermaine Jenas is the big doubt for Juande Ramos ahead of Sunday's derby against West Ham at the Lane.
The in-form midfielder picked up a sprained ankle in a challenge against PSV in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night and will be closely monitored before Sunday’s 3pm kick-off in the Barclays Premier League.
Alan Hutton is available after being ineligible for the UEFA Cup while Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) remain out.
Skysports.com Preview:
Tottenham and West Ham lock horns on Sunday looking to bounce back to winning ways after both suffering two demoralising defeats in the last week.
Birmingham took advantage of Tottenham's Carling Cup hangover to win 4-1 last weekend before Spurs' Uefa Cup hopes suffered a blow as they lost 1-0 at home to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday.
West Ham endured an even tougher week as they were thrashed 4-0 by both Chelsea and Liverpool, and manager Alan Curbishley has demanded a positive response - not only to restore pride but to spark an end-of-season flourish.
The Hammers have not won at White Hart Lane for nine years but they go into Sunday's clash eight points clear of their London rivals in 10th.
The Hammers' European hopes have almost been extinguished as they lie eight points adrift of sixth-placed Aston Villa, but Curbishley wants to make sure their hard work does not go to waste after managing to hold down a top-half place despite being ravaged by injuries this season.
Tottenham's Carling Cup triumph means they are already assured of a Uefa Cup place for next season but, similarly, Juande Ramos wants to ensure his players remain focused for the rest of the season and perhaps even snatch a top-half finish.
Jenas doubtful
Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas is doubtful having twisted an ankle, although Alan Hutton is back in the squad after being ineligible for the PSV clash.
The former Rangers full-back is likely to replace Gilberto, who suffered a nightmare debut by gifting PSV the only goal of the game and being booked before being hauled off at half-time.
Ramos could rest key players ahead of the return leg such as defender Ledley King with Michael Dawson fit again following a hamstring injury.
Darren Bent has not trained properly due to illness, while Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) and Gareth Bale (foot) are expected to miss the rest of the campaign.
Parker in contention
West Ham midfielder Scott Parker could be available again following a knee injury but defender Matthew Upson has added to the Hammers' injury woes and is rated as only 50-50 after picking up a calf problem at Liverpool.
Bobby Zamora is pushing for a return to the starting line-up after recovering from a knee injury and coming off the bench at Anfield.
Craig Bellamy, Lee Bowyer, Matthew Etherington, Julien Faubert and Danny Gabbidon are all continuing their rehabilitation but will not yet be back in first-team contention.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Hutton, Lee, Tainio, Gilberto, Dawson, King, Woodgate, Kaboul, Rocha, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Malbranque, Lennon, Zokora, Boateng, Taarabt, Keane, Bent, Berbatov.
West Ham Squad (from): Green, Neill, Ferdinand, Upson, McCartney, Solano, Noble, Mullins, Ljungberg, Boa Morte, Cole, Wright, Pantsil, Zamora, Spector, Ashton, Parker, Collison.
Interesting Stats:
Spurs
Last Saturday's defeat at Birmingham was our first loss in five.
Need to score once to total 50 goals this season.
Five shy of conceding 50 this term.
Still the most entertaining club to watch for goals; their 27 games have produced 94 at 3.48 goals per game.
The current tally of 32 points after 27 games is their lowest relative points return in a decade.
Gained one win in six London league derbies this season; 5-1, home to Fulham on Boxing Day.
West Ham
Won one of five.
The current tally of 40 points is twice as many as were accumulated after 28 games last season.
In danger of suffering three league losses in a row for the second time this season; completed 20 fixtures since losing away to Newcastle, home to Arsenal and away to Aston Villa between 23 September and 6 October respectively.
Their 28 games have produced just 62 goals (31 for, 31 against). At 2.21 per game, its just slightly better than Chelsea's return of 59 goals (2.19 per game).
Not lost any matches in which they have scored first; won eight and drew five of 13.
Home and away victories over Fulham are their only wins in seven London league derbies this season.
3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 15:00 GMT - check [thread=28469]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
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