Spurs face huge test of new defensive resolve

Backline keen to show how they have improved since Etihad loss

- Dan Kilpatrick

TOTTENHAM v MANCHESTER CITY (Sunday, 4.30pm, Sky)

AFTER Tottenham's second-half collapse at the Etihad two weeks ago, a dispassionate Antonio Conte used his post-match meeting to present his squad with a series of hard facts about their defending the most damning of which was that they had conceded 21 times in 10 games.

The session, which would normally have been a Conte-led video analysis of the game, turned into a frank exchange of views, with several senior players, including Harry Kane, speaking out. Afterwards everyone was in agreement: Spurs had no chance of saving their season unless they got back to the basics of defending.

In the two fixtures since, there have been tentative signs of progress. Spurs kept clean sheets against high-flying Fulham and Championship Preston in last weekend's FA Cup fourth-round and now have four shutouts in six matches, albeit also including the Cup tie against League One Portsmouth.

Sunday's rematch against City will be a far greater test of their defensive resolve and should go some way to demonstrating if they are truly capable of cutting out the mistakes which have threatened to derail their campaign.