- Jul 27, 2004
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So having witnessed one of our most inept displays for a long time last time out I am hoping that Ramos has reminded them that they are playing for the spurs future because if they play to a similar standard as last week this match could make for uncomfortable watching.
The Official Site Team News:
Jermaine Jenas is back in the frame for Saturday's trip to Blackburn Rovers.
Illness kept the midfielder out of last weekend's match against Newcastle at the Lane but he's available alongside defender Younes Kaboul, back in training after a dead leg.
"Both are fit to play and unless something happens, they will be with us this weekend," reported Head Coach Juande Ramos.
Long-term injuries Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are out for the season.
Skysports.com Preview:
Juande Ramos will be hoping for a response from his Spurs side against Blackburn following last Sunday's thumping by Newcastle.
Spurs' season is in danger of tailing off following their Carling Cup success, although Blackburn have their own agenda with European football the primary target.
Mark Hughes' side trail fifth-placed Everton by seven points and no one will dare tell the Welsh tactician that catching The Toffees is an impossible task.
Rovers' form is mixed having won only one of their last four Premier League matches, a run matched by their North London visitors.
Blackburn's form against Spurs is not the best either with their late 2-1 success at White Hart Lane their first win over Ramos' side in eight meetings.
Rovers return
Hughes is boosted by the return of defenders Brett Emerton and Christopher Samba for the Ewood Park clash.
Australia international Emerton has been hampered by a groin strain of late while Samba missed Rovers' goalless draw at Reading last week due to the red card he picked up against Wigan.
Benni McCarthy will be hoping to get the nod to play alongside Roque Santa Cruz after Hughes opted to give Jason Roberts a rare start at The Madejski.
Experienced Swiss midfielder Johann Vogel will make his Premier League debut if he appears against the North Londoners after failing to feature at Reading.
Jenas back
Ramos welcomes back England international Jermaine Jenas to his midfield following illness.
The former Newcastle United man has missed the club's last two league games after featuring in their 4-4 home draw with Chelsea.
With captain Ledley King out for the remainder of the season, Younes Kaboul's return from a dead leg could not have been timed better.
Kaboul could well replace either Jonathan Woodgate or Michael Dawson at the heart of Spurs' defence following their 4-1 mauling by Newcastle last Sunday.
Ramos is unlikely to stick with three up front as he did against Newcastle, so Darren Bent could drop to the bench. Gareth Bale (foot) and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (knee) are long-term injuries.
BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):
Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Zokora, Malbranque, Keane Berbatov, Bent, Cerny, Jenas, Kaboul, Chimbonda, Tainio, Lennon, Taarabt.
Blackburn Squad (from): Friedel, Emerton, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts, McCarthy, Derbyshire, Vogel, Mokoena, Tugay, Brown.
Interesting Stats:
Us
Won 50% of their matches under Juande Ramos (18 of 36).
Scored 61 goals; only Manchester United (68) and Arsenal (62) have netted more.
An unsurpassed total of 116 goals have been produced in their games (61 for, 55 against);
One of two clubs whose goals per game average (for and against) is over three at 3.63. Aston Villa's is 3.00.
Scored a league high 45 goals from open play.
Them
Won three and lost one of six.
Victory here would take their total of points in this league to 800.
Come from behind on 12 occasions this season; only Aston Villa beat that (13 times).
Beat Tottenham (a), Newcastle (h), Derby (a) and Bolton (a) from losing positions. Also, rescued 16 points when losing.
One of three clubs to have had six players sent off in this league; Chelsea and Fulham are the others.
Been shown 72 cards in this league this term (six red, 66 yellow); only Middlesbrough players have been issued with more (77).
3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 15:00 GMT - check [thread=29511]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]
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why do we keep trying this! 
