Pleat: Players must earn respect

David Pleat has told his players they need to earn the respect of the fans as they prepare to face Blackburn in the final home match of a tortuous league campaign.

Tottenham's acting manager admits that poor performances away from home have left all the players bitterly disappointed.

He said: "The boys know that the away performances have been very poor in the last few weeks. They have absolutely destroyed our hopes after such a bright recovery in February.

"The players want to reward the fans for their fantastic support but have to realise they have to earn the respect and support of the crowd and not the other way around.

"But once they earn that respect, we want the fans to be the 12th man that is so vital."

Ledley King is back in the squad and Jamie Redknapp and Dean Richards should be fit after treatment for minor knocks. Full-backs Stephen Carr and Mauricio Taricco are also injury doubts.