I'd very much like to welcome the boys back home with with a good few rounds of, 'We Love You Tottenham, We Do', followed by a convincing home win. I don't think I'm asking to too much of either party.

The new found resurgence of Boro is one thing, but their ability to maintain it will be another. One swallow not making a summer and all that. Their form other than their last few games has been dismal and I'm not interested in taking them any more seriously than they deserve. Talk will be talked of Downing. Given Stewpot,  Bentley and Lennon are all likely to be on the premises, it'll make for an interesting night.

Us at home plus our display against Manchester United I don't think anyone would view a trip to The Lane right now as an easy number. We may have lost on Sunday, but we came away bruised, not broken.

Here's my team, then pop pickers...what's yours?

  Gomes

Chimbonda   Corluka      Woodgate     Ekotto

 Zokora

                   Palacios      Modric  

           Keane        Pavlyuchenko

Place yer bets...

Boylesports are offering 60/1 for 1-1 at half time, then 3-1 avalanche stylee to Spurs full time. 

The footballing world was shaken to it's very foundations today with the news that former Tottenham striker Mido has joined the ranks of dispicable Pompey fans and has sent a threatening text mesage into the very heart of The Lane.

According to The Current Bun's Shaun Custis, Mido sent an audacious text message direct to Tottenham supremo, Daniel Levy offering to resign for  struggling Spurs.

It is thought that Mido is on his way out and Boro manager Alan Partridge has been forced to change the locks on the Club's Tuck Shop hatch.

The final straw however, came after the Egyptian experienced vicious chanting. Nothing to do with shoe bombs. It was home fans chanting, 'Oprah, Oprah, Oprah' mocking his fluctuating weight problem. 

It is too early to suggest that these events are in anyway linked to a raid on Tottenham's canteen on Tuesday where an estimated £40,000 was taken along with an undisclosed quantity of chocolate biscuits, frozen burgers, sausages, nuggets, french fries and some fizzy pop. 

HH does understand that security at THFC has been raised to a heightend state of alert.

Wendy says that his hopes and aspirations are still intact which is terrific news as we're only one game in. And whilst some of us thought that Mitka was merely contemplating if his 'chewing gum lost it's flavour on the bedpost over night' it emerged he too was eyeing the future. Really!

Hofmeister encouraged us to follow our dreams if our dreams were yellow tins of low rent lager and follow the bear. Dimitar has at last revealed his sights are set on following a man who at the very least looks like a bear these days, Eric Cantona. I churlishly look forward to seeing you in a decade's time then with three chins and a beard desperately trying to get acting roles that Gerard Depardieu has turned down.

I predict more days like these of uncertainty, navel gazing and boredom. We need more than one or two of these prospective signings to materialise. We need to get our house in order and now. Sunderland is a must win game. Chelsea Away and Villa indoors are just up the road and the outcome of those two games could, unbearably shape our season.

This is brief friends, but I see no point in us chasing our tails here.

Prematch Prattle is a coming. 

I dream of Jeannie.

We're back Yids and ready to rock.

This campaign is going to be a long one and it starts with a visit to a man who describes being beaten at home 'like being burgled'. 

Tottenham don't have great form at Middlesbrough but I'm convinced we'll get a pull for a successful smash & grab at the very least.

This could potentially be a masterclass for Spurs. Boro are almost certain to play deep and want Tuncay or Aliadiere to spring Mido or Alves. If our virtually brand new fully fitted luxury midfield boss it and our defence live up to expectations I cannot see this lot stopping us.

Modric & Co. have far greater intelligence and ability than any of Southgate's charges and it's the midfield that will decide this. As far as strikers are concerned I expect at least another Bent goal and say if he scores on Saturday they'll be no stopping him all season.

Berbatov? Who knows or cares. He's been in the shop window all summer and to what purpose? Faded from prolonged exposure and dead flies his only companions. His position's untenable. When he goes there'll be a scrutiny of what we got for him and if he stays it reflects market forces not desire.

Predictions? 0-2 to the Tottingham which is as good as 11/1 in places where you don't have an existing obligation to the house.

Here's terrific video to get you in the mood from YiDo Productions. More great Spurs vids are available from them and others HERE.

BIOYC!

                                             http://www.oleole.com/fantasyfootball.

Harry's Pert Sweaty Fantasy and the entry code is 'oleole'. Signing up is not only free and easy, but do remember, you must pick a squad from the same league you're joining, mine is a Premiership Mini League!

Goodluck armchair generals, Rome (Italy) salutes you!