TOMORROW LIVE ON SKY SPORTS, KO 8pm OUT-OF-SORTS EVANS NEEDS TO PUL FINGER OUT
Spurs play Real Madrid in Champions League Group H – and White Hart Lane legend Mabbutt (above) knows it is vital that Mauricio Pochettino’s men show composure, this time.
On both Tottenham’s previous visits to the current European Cup holders, they have had a man sent off.
Back in 1985, Steve Perryman saw red as his team went out of the UEFA Cup, and six years ago Real won 4-0 in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final and Peter Crouch collected two yellow cards in the first quarter of a hour.
Mabbutt – an FA Cup and UEFA Cup winner with Spurs in his 16 years at the club – watched both those games and said: “It can be very intimidating there, that goes without saying.
“If you have to take them on with 10 men you have very little chance. But I believe we have enough experience in the team – from goalkeeper to striker – to handle the atmosphere.
“You start with Hugo Lloris, then you have two of the best central defenders around, Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. And Harry Kane is in great form.
“Real have class and quality. But they are not having the best of starts to the season, plus Gareth Bale is out injured. The first 15 Real Madrid 2 2 Dortmund 2 Ap Nicosia 2 2 2 0 0
L0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 JONNY EVANS is struggling for form after being chased by rival clubs during the summer.
That is the belief of West Brom boss Tony Pulis who has admitted that the defender’s performance levels have taken a knock.
Leicester were among those who confirmed their interest in the Northern Ireland international by bidding £25million.
The Foxes’ offer for the defender was the highest received at the Hawthorns – out-bidding Manchester City and Arsenal who were both also in the running.
Evans was superb last term as the Baggies produced one of their best returns in the Premier League to date.
But he missed the opening few matches with a hamstring injury and has not played in a winning team so far this season.
And Pulis claimed the situation upset the player, saying: “There was a bid from Leicester and it was left to the club. As it was with Arsenal and Man City. Would Jonny have gone to Leicester? I don’t know, you’d have to speak to him. As the club didn’t accept the bid, it didn’t happen.
“I think the window affects players. It affected both him and Nacer Chadli. It does affect them, no question.”
Evans, 29, (below) has this season and one more left on his current deal. Pulis said he was unaware if the Baggies had started talks over a new one with their club captain.
He added: “I don’t think anything’s going to happen with him for a while. If they are talking, they’re talking.
“But I haven’t got a problem with him.”
The Baggies’ campaign has spluttered along so far. With no win in their last six, they head to Leicester under pressure.
Pulis said: “It’s that old story – I don’t think we’ve had the breaks.
“Sometimes they are in your favour. Other times it’s against you. You have to believe in what you are and what you are doing.
“But the results don’t mean we haven’t been doing good things.”
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