Source: Team_Talk
Twente target Tottenham 'pain points'
FC Twente boss Michel Preud'homme has revealed his plan to expose Tottenham's "pain points" in the Champions League clash at White Hart Lane.[LNB] Spurs go into their second Group A game in the midst of a defensive crisis and although Preud'homme played down opposite number Harry Redknapp's problems, he will have no qualms about exploiting them.[LNB]"You find pain points, pain points for the other team, points where you can hurt them," said the former Belgium goalkeeper, who succeeded Steve McClaren as Twente manager this summer. "That's how we approach every game."[LNB]Preud'homme urged the Dutch champions to "be smart" in their approach to tomorrow's match, adding: "It's about putting pressure on and avoiding pressure at the right moments.[LNB]"Obviously, Tottenham are at home, so they will try to apply pressure.[LNB]"Playing smart will certainly mean that you have to try to avoid this pressure."[LNB]That will not mean being defensive, according to the man who masterminded a 2-2 draw with European champions Inter Milan in Twente's opening group game.[LNB]"It's in our nature to play football, not to kill the game," said Preud'homme, who was expecting a partisan but fair atmosphere on and off the field tomorrow.[LNB]"Intimidation is a big word; it sounds quite negative," he said.[LNB]"I choose to use words like home advantage or motivation.[LNB]"They'll obviously use that same weapon as we do; we also use the support of our fans.[LNB]"But we have players with a lot of international experience. They should be used to this kind of atmosphere."[LNB]He added: "The Champions League is made in a way that intimidation has to stay in the rules.[LNB]"Tottenham is a football-playing team, not a kicking team."[LNB]Twente, who won the Eredivisie for the first time in their history under McClaren last season, are set to be without injured left-backs Bart Buysse (ankle) and Dwight Tiendalli (leg).[LNB]That is nothing compared to Redknapp's defensive problems, which could see him field just one recognised centre-half.[LNB]But Preud'homme said: "If you see the level of players who were playing the last game, even though some were injured, it was a very high level.[LNB]"The squad is big and they are able to change a number of players."[LNB]Forward Bryan Ruiz added: "Even if the normal players don't play, I think the players who play will try to do it better than the others.[LNB]"Because they will try to get their chance to continue in the team. I think it'll be even harder."[LNB]Twente's biggest challenge though could prove to be stopping Champions League specialist Peter Crouch, who has picked up at Spurs where he left off at Liverpool in the competition.[LNB]Preud'homme said of the beanpole striker: "Our central defenders are also quite tall and there is a difference between being tall and the ability to jump as well. I think there is enough height in our squad and our team."
