Manchester City assistant boss Platt fears 'potent' Defoe

11-Nov-2012 5:55:00 AM

Roberto Mancini's right-hand man has pinpointed the in-form striker as Tottenham's primary threat ahead of the sides' meeting at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon

Manchester City assistant manager David Platt has highlighted Jermain Defoe as Tottenham's biggest threat ahead of Sunday's meeting between the sides.

Defoe has scored five goals in 10 Premier League games this season and, having struck a hat trick in his last outing, is likely to start at the Etihad Stadium.

And Platt, who worked with the 30-year-old during his spell as manager of the England Under-21 team, has hailed the forward's goalscoring instincts.

"He is potent, Defoe will always score goals. He could go six or seven games without scoring but you know if he does there is a glut coming because his stats tell you he scores goals," Platt told reporters.

"He has done all his career, ever since he was a young kid. I have had him in an [England] Under-21 team and training. He will get efforts on goal and he can finish."

The former England international also acknowledged Tottenham's other attacking threats, suggesting that goals are always likely when Spurs play.

"You look at them as a collective and you feel as though there are goals in their team," he continued.

"They've got several individuals who can turn a game in an instant and it becomes very difficult because of that. They change their team but they are dangerous.

"What Tottenham have got is over the years, with what Harry [Redknapp] has created and Andre Villas-Boas has added to and developed, a group of young, energetic players that can harm you, [that] can score a goal in an instant."

Inside Goal.Com

Player Ratings: West Brom 5-5 Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson was given a farewell to remember, but certainly not for the right reasons as the Romelu Lukaku-led hosts battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point
Player Ratings: Liverpool 1-0 QPR
The hosts put in a dominating performance but Philippe Coutinho's solitary goal from distance was enough to see off a poor performance from the already-relegated visitors
Player Ratings: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny's 52nd-minute volley secured the Gunners the win over Alan Pardew's side and made sure they would be playing Champions League football next season
Transfer Talk: Read all the gossips
The Goal.com Rumour Mill is your 24/7 source for all the latest rumblings in the global transfer market.
Who is the greatest CL striker ever?
Enter our competition now and you will be in with a chance of winning one of four replica football shirts. Simply pick your favourite and subscribe to our YouTube channel