Reading v Tottenham – White Hart Lane, 4pm
Andre Villas-Boas has not yet endeared himself to the White Hart Lane faithful ahead of Tottenham’s trip to Reading on Sunday.
The Portuguese, in his second spell of Premier League management, saw his side roundly booed off after a 1-1 draw with Norwich at the start of September that extended Spurs’ winless start to three games.
Newly promoted Reading have just one point in three matches but could provide another headache for Villas-Boas and Tottenham if they claim even a point at the Madejski Stadium.
Luck was not a commodity Villas-Boas enjoyed at Chelsea last season before he was sacked, but something he could do with right about now.
Star playmaker Luka Modric’s departure, though inevitable, was not a disaster as the likes of Moussa Dembele, Clint Dempsey, Jan Vertongen and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris were brought in for not much more than the 30 million pounds they acquired for him.
All good signings in their own right, yet the early signs have not been good for Spurs.
A distinct lack of fluidity and departure from what fans came to expect under Harry Redknapp has many of them already baying for Villas-Boas’ blood.
Lloris, an 11-million-pound signing from Lyon, has caused consternation after Villas-Boas confirmed he would not be dumping 41-year-old keeper Brad Friedel from the starting 11 for the Frenchman.
Lloris, a French international, felt he would inherit the number one spot immediately but the 25-year-old may now be the principle thorn in Villas-Boas’ side so long as he is not playing.
Reading manager Brian McDermott has goalkeeper worries of his own, with Australian number one Adam Federici making two critical errors in the side’s opening games against Stoke and Chelsea.
McDermott has backed Federici and in somewhat of a blessing does not have the same talent between the sticks Villas-Boas has at his disposal.
Spurs could do with Scott Parker to stiffen up the midfield but he is set to miss at least another week with an Achilles tendon injury.
For Reading, Federici and striker Jason Roberts are expected to line up after battling a knock and shin injury respectively.
