Why Spurs can win on Saturday

Now I'm not the most optimistic fan you'll ever meet although casting a mind back to last season I do, like many thousands of football fans out there, believe we would have taken all three points over United weren't it not for the man in black.

Howard Webb bottled it. We know it. He knows it. But, thankfully, he will not be taking charge of Saturday's game. So, let's hope that Mr Clattenburg doesn't full to the pressure of many United 'fans' that will be seated in Old Trafford when decisions don't go their way.

The non-existance of Mr Webb at this fixture is music to the ears. Music that brings a sense of happiness to us. Although, this season, we have two players wearing the cockerel on their chest that could turn this game in faviour of us. No prizes of predicting who in the sense of our Dutch supremo Rafa and a rejuvanted young Welshman that would can cause more problems than Hicks and Gillet to a football side.

On top of these factors, the absence of Rooney can only be a good thing and hopefully the defence can handle our former miserable Bulgarian up front with Hernandez, should he take part.

Oh, and here's the goal from the last time we beat United. Courtesy of Pedro..

A big problem we could face

Some sloppy goalkeeping and just plain poor refereeing ensured that Everton left us with a point and Harry, liek the rest of us, wondering how we didn't take all three. After being in familiar territory once again, as Yakubu stumbled over Kaboul and Baines cracking in a top freekick, it was left to Rafa to save us once more. Where would we be without the guy?

After I think I counted around a 1000 penalty appeals from Crouch and not one being given, it ended as one of those days when the winner wouldn't arrive for us. But still, we've seen worse results at home this season.

Although undoubtedly premature, my early concern is will we be able to keep hold of Van der Vaart after this season? Should City continue to propel themselves towards the top of the table there is every chance we could finish 5th. Now I know this is incredibly pessimistic but should we finish outside the top 4, would Rafa or even Bale look to stay with us when the top teams in the game will be chasing them?

I am a realist, and, in all honesty, it's a breath of fresh air finally having a world class player battling for the lilywhite every week even if it is for one season.

If the worst does happen and we don't finish in the top 4 this season, do you think we'd stand good ground on keeping hold of Rafa for another season?

Regards.