Snappy Sam Allardyce was in no mood to discuss Spurs’ problems as he marched into White Hart Lane.

He brushed off all questions about Andre Villas-Boas’ departure very smartly.

He said: “I have enough of my own problems with injuries and suspensions with games coming up rapidly to have too much concern about Tottenham other than what team I am going to play, how we are going to play and what we can do to combat them and get through to the semi-finals.