Re: No brick, We're Tense..
ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS will give his Tottenham players a four-day spring break in a bid to freshen up their quest for a Champions League spot.
The Portuguese coach revealed last night he has decided to allow his men some down time, whatever the result of their Europa League game in Basel tonight.
Stuttering Spurs have picked up just four points from their last four Premier League matches and qualifi cation for the Champions League is out of their hands, with six games to go.
They face an uphill task reaching the semi-fi nals of the Europa League, having drawn 2-2 against Basel at home a week ago and head into tonight’s second leg without Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Jermain Defoe and William Gallas.
After tonight they do not play until Sunday week, with their crunch clash with Chelsea being postponed because of the Blues involvement in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.
“We have organised to give our players a break, so it’s a good opportunity for us to rest,” Villas-Boas said.
“It will also mean we have a big week to prepare for the Emirates Marketing Project game because we will return to training on Tuesday.”
Villas-Boas admitted it could be a gamble letting his stars have a holiday at such a crucial time of the season, as it is a change from their regular routine.
“It doesn’t mean, because we have a week to prepare, we are going to be fitter.”
Basel insist they are not worried about the appointment of Portuguese ref Olegario Benquerenca for tonight’s game.
He is a controversial figure at home and is known by Benfica fans as ‘The Thief’.
His nickname dates back to a 2004 game when he failed to give a goal despite the ball appearing to cross the line before Porto keeper Vitor Baia caught it. Jose Mourinho was Porto coach and Villas-Boas his No.2.