Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City: Old boys back on a mission with Hull

The Tigers were ripped apart in their own lair as Harry Redknapp's side ran riot to win 5-1 with Jermain Defoe netting a hat-trick.

Barmby admits such a comprehensive defeat on home soil was a humbling affair for a Hull side who just four days earlier had only been denied a deserved point from the trip to Chelsea by a stoppage-time winner from Didier Drogba.

But the former England international insists there will be no repeat when Hull travel to White Hart Lane today.

He said: "I was impressed with Spurs when we played them in August. They played very well that night, though I think we played into their hands by sitting off them.

"If you sit off Spurs like that then you will pay the price. We have learned from those lessons and the plan is to get into their faces and be dogged and determined.

"That is the way we play. It is the way we have played for two or three successful years.

"We are capable of making it hard for teams, we showed that last season when we got a result (Hull won 1-0 at Spurs) by sticking to what we are good at.

"We have to believe we can frustrate Spurs. Wolves and Stoke have both won there this season and the key in those victories was they both frustrated Spurs.

"They never let them settle with their passing and they cut Spurs off at the source. It is not rocket science, though I admit it is easier said than done."

Hull-born Barmby started his career at White Hart Lane and made more than 100 appearances before moving to Middlesbrough in 1995 for 5.25m.

The 35-year-old looks back fondly on his time in north London where he emerged under Terry Venables then, shortly before leaving for the Riverside, graduated to the England senior team.

Sentiment will, of course, be cast aside today, though Barmby admits to believing his former club are on the verge of something special.

He said: "I think the Spurs fans smell a little bit of success coming to White Hart Lane for the first time in quite a while.

"Spurs have got the players to really challenge if they remain consistent and I am sure there will be silverware at White Hart Lane sooner rather than later.

"You only have to look at what they did to Man City (before Christmas when Spurs won 3-0) to see what a good side they are.

"The missing piece in the jigsaw was probably Peter Crouch and I do think they have got a great chance this season of breaking into the top four."

Another former Spurs man likely to be in the visitors' line-up today is Anthony Gardner, who moved north to Hull shortly after the club won promotion to the Premier League in a 2.5m deal.

The 29-year-old endured a frustrating first season at the KC Stadium as injury restricted him to just six league appearances. This time around, however, Gardner has become a mainstay of the defence – a point illustrated by Phil Brown awarding him the captaincy.

Donning the armband means there is unlikely to be a prouder man inside White Hart Lane today than Gardner when the two teams walk out shortly before kick-off.

He said: "This is definitely a game I have been looking forward to more than most. I joined Spurs at a young age and I got my football education there.

"This will be my first game back and it will be nice to step out back at the Lane, and especially as captain. Leading out the side at Tottenham makes going back all the more exciting.

"Being captain was something I didn't really see coming. It is a responsibility that someone has when they play regularly so that probably ruled me out.

"There are probably four or five senior boys that could captain the side so the responsibility is special.

"I do have a certain amount of experience from playing in the Premier League since I was 19, so I hope I can pass some of that on."

Hull, who this week reiterated their desire to hold on to Wolves target Stephen Hunt, travel to the capital looking to repeat last season's shock 1-0 victory, a result that completed a notable north London double following the previous week's win at Arsenal.

To do so, however, they will have to improve on the recent form that has seen the Tigers collect just two points from a possible 15 since the start of December and being knocked out of the FA Cup by Wigan.

Tottenham v Hull City

Team news: Seyi Olofinjana is on international duty with Nigeria and Daniel Cousin is away with Gabon. Rookies Tom Cairney and Mark Cullen are included in the travelling party.

Last six games: Tottenham Hotspur LWWDWW, Hull City LDLLDL

Referee: M Atkinson (West Yorks).

Last time: Tottenham 0 Hull City 1; October 5, 2008; Premier League.

SkyBet odds: Tottenham to win 2/7, Hull City 11/1, Draw 4/1.