Peter Crouch: North London Derby win can change Spurs’ season

Which Spurs team will show up on Sunday? Peter Crouch says it could have a big impact on their season

Tottenham have been so indifferent this season in the league. I’ve seen a lot of them and the last result was good, against Palace, but before that they were very poor.

You don’t really know what Spurs side you’re going to get in any game.

The amount of times they’ve fallen behind in and had to fight back is ridiculous.

A lot of times it comes down to how they’ve set up at the start – they’re often quite cagey in the first half of games and then have to go for it in the second.

I can see Arsenal taking advantage of that. If Tottenham start sloppily, they will get punished.

Arsenal have answered all the tests so far this season but this is another huge one on Sunday.

They’re deservedly ahead in the league, five points over City and 11 over Spurs in fifth.

Tottenham can’t count on the last-minute drama that’s come through for them a few times this season against a team like this.

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They need to be switched on for 90 minutes, not just 45. They could get something out of the game because they’ve got enough about them.

I hope they come out and go for it from the start but it’s not Conte’s way.

White-Hot Lane

The atmosphere in these games is always white-hot.

I played in a quite a few and know what they’re all about.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Peter Crouch of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring Tottenham’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A match between Tottenham Hotspur and SV Werder Bremen at White Hart Lane on November 24, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

People might wonder about Spurs this season – they’ve not been great and you’d sometimes wonder what they’re playing for with the way some results have gone.

But it’s games like these where you can turn your season around.

If they perform well, put a few tackles in, get the crowd going, it can really lift the mood around the club.

One big win can change a lot because it’s been gloomy around there this season.

Wheeling and Dealing

Most managers around January starts kicking up a bit and trying to get their club to spend money, it’s not just Conte.

And Spurs need to invest, there’s no way around that.

They’ve got players with ability going forward, but the signings haven’t set the world alight this season and defensively they need reinforcements.

They’re scratching around trying to find an answer at the back but they’ll need to spend money to solve it.

The manager wants it now. It could make a difference this season if they do.

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