Spurs duo must stop Henry

Stand-in boss David Pleat will bank on two of his own signings to save Tottenham the indignity of allowing fierce rivals Arsenal to clinch the Premiership crown in tomorrow’s North London derby at White Hart Lane.

Veteran Pleat, in charge since Glenn Hoddle was sacked in September, accepts he will be handing over the reins to a new manager this summer.

He concedes, too, that this will not bring too many tears to the eyes of Spurs’ long-suffering fans after the team’s worst run of form – one point from six games – in four years.

But Director of Football Pleat – who plans to return to that role despite reports that many managerial candidates are chary about working “under” him - is nothing if not a hands-on executive.

And he is placing much faith in Simon Davies and Michael Brown, midfield players he personally captured from the lower divisions, playing vital roles in a famous Tottenham victory.

“Nobody has yet worked out the tactics to beat Arsenal this season and they have won the title on every ground they have played,” admitted Pleat.

“But if we can curb their attacking ambitions I believe we have a chance to become the first team to beat them. The players who will be involved in trying to stop those ambitions are two very good players.”

Pleat knows that stifling Thierry Henry, who has never scored at White Hart Lane, could be a key factor.

He said: “We have to stop him – but within the rules. We won’t kick him, won’t pull his shirt too much.

“You just have to focus and concentrate against him. If there is one individually effective striker in Europe it is him. And individual ability can make a good team great.”

Spurs players watched in awe on a hotel television the night before their latest 2-0 defeat at Bolton last Friday as Henry grabbed four goals in Arsenal’s 5-0 demolition of Leeds – just a week after his hat-trick against Liverpool.

Brown, Pleat’s £500,000 (€740,000) signing from Sheffield United in January admitted: “It could look as if he’s unstoppable and that Arsenal are the best team there has been for a long time.

“But the feeling I’m getting is that our boys are really up for this one. We won’t be saying, ‘Wow, Arsenal are battering everybody.’ Let’s face it, we need the points because we don’t want to be pulled down into the relegation thing.

“And Arsenal often find it tough against Spurs. They’ve blitzed a few teams this year but, personally, I haven’t played against them.

“But I did last year for Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final and, although we know we obviously have to be at our best on Sunday to beat them, I saw nothing in that match to scare us. Perhaps they were just going through a rough patch.”

Brown has been an ever-present in 15 games since his move to Spurs but can boast being involved in only four wins.

That is why Spurs have dropped down the table again like a stone, feeling far from secure on just 38 points.

A Leeds win over Portsmouth tomorrow morning at Elland Road will cut the gap still further at the bottom, but Brown insists: “It is 100% no way we should be in this situation with the ability we have.

“The problem is that it has just not gelled yet but if we just fight, fight, fight for the rest of the season and get results, particularly against Arsenal, it can be a big boost for next season.”

Wales midfielder Davies, signed by Pleat in tandem with winger Matthew Etherington from Peterborough in a £1.2m (€1.7m) deal three years ago and recently back in action from a shin injury, admits: “There are days when you can run your legs off and still not get near people.

“It was like that at Bolton last week , but the lads are giving their all, I can assure you, and we believe we can come up with a result on Sunday. Just looking at the table makes you feel low and we are determined to turn it around.”

Spurs vice-captain Stephen Carr is still out through suspension after 10 yellow cards and has pulled out of the Republic of Ireland’s friendly in Poland to have an epidural back injection.

Another Irishman Stephen Kelly will deputise again but fitness doubts remain over Darren Anderton (Achilles), Dean Richards (virus) and Christian Ziege (thigh).

Helder Postiga, the £6.25m (€9.3m) Portuguese striker is definitely out after a thigh injury in the reserves on Monday night.