Venables gears Boro up for a return to the Lane

The Riverside head coach will mastermind what will be Boro's second game against London opposition in a week, when he makes an emotional return to White Hart Lane.

It will be the former Spurs' boss first visit to Tottenham as a coach since his departure seven years back, and he is hoping a diet of "drudgery and repetition" will be ideal preparation.

He said: "What it's about is habits, and that means repetition at training to the point where what can serve us best comes as second nature, something which can be applied instantly during the intensity of a match.

"There are times when drudgery may be the best word applied to repetition but it will be worth it if it works for us in our matches - and that's all that matters.

"Working with players has always been the vital factor of this job for me - it's the whole point of it and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this squad in the short time we've been together.

"So many players have been missing either through injury or suspension- it has restricted the coach's choice. But there are signs this week that will ease off.

"What I have found is that like most players they want to do it right, for the team, for themselves, for the supporters. They have done everything I have asked of them and that in itself is good for confidence."

In what has been a remarkable few days in charge, the mood at the Riverside has gone from one of utter pessimism to a new belief they can survive in the Premier League.

Venables, speaking to FA-Premier.com, added: "If the expectations have gone up among the supporters, great. If they are feeling good it's because they see the confidence there among the players.

"What we don't need is unrealistic forecasts about what can happen. We've had one win, great, we can enjoy it and we can use it as a springboard.

"But there is a long long way to go."

The major problem for Venables will be to ensure the momentum built last week with Boro's first home victory of the season against Chelsea is not only maintained, but increased for the trip to North London.

He said: "There are a few of us down there at the bottom of the league all trying to lift points, and the trouble is just one indifferent game, one poor result and what you have fought so hard to gain can be lost, just like that. It's going to be exceedingly difficult, though obviously not impossible."

Venables added: "How do we do it? We work, we improve our confidence even more - and we try and keep on winning.''

Venables will be boosted by the news that forward Alen Boksic is expected to be back from injury, along with defenders Ugo Ehiogu and Curtis Fleming who are available again after suspension.

Venables said of the Croatian front man: "I haven't seen him yet but I know what he is capable of doing and hopefully he will continue to progress well. He is obviously world class but I want him fit and have a good look so I can see what he can do to help us."

With Joseph Desire Job and Phil Stamp also back in training, and no new injury problems from Saturday, Venables will be able to select from his strongest squad to date.

The match has double significance for Venables giving him as it does the opportunity to keep Boro's foot hard on the accelerator, plus a return to the club he was sacked from by former joint partner/owner Sir Alan Sugar.

Venables has only been back once as a TV pundit since 1993 so this is the first visit which matters to him as a professional coach.

Spurs boss George Graham believes the crowd at least will have a warm welcome for the man who won them an FA Cup and whose long-term plan was to fashion them into a Championship winning team.

Graham said, "It is always a pleasure to cross swords with Terry. He has played a big part in my career encouraging me into the game as a coach at Crystal Palace.

"The crowd here have a great respect for him and I would be surprised if they didn't express that at some time during the match.''