West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has only noticed some subtle changes in the way Tottenham play under Andre Villas-Boas, in comparison to Harry Redknapp.

Jermain Defoe has been given a new lease of life under the Portuguese boss and the Hammers boss also feels that Spurs are struggling more without Modric.

He said: “I’m reading the scouting reports and I have watched a couple of videos.

“There’s a different style in terms of system being played. We very rarely saw Jermain Defoe playing up front on his own with Harry.

“We’ve seen that quite a lot with Andre. There’s been a change with how they play and the change in positions here and who he fancies in some positions.

“Some players have left, particularly Modric, who is a big player to replace him.

“They’ve been going okay. Whether that’s enough though, only time will tell.”

West Ham have not won at White Hart Lane in 13 attempts, although this has not dampened Allardyce’s optimism.

“It’s about the group of players that the club goes to Tottenham with West Ham in the past and how they’ve been set up,” he added.

“There’s got to be a certain amount of tactical nous. If they take that tactical ability into that game then you give him the opportunity to win.”

Hammers fans would have been looking for their games with Tottenham when the fixtures came out and Allardyce knows it’s a special game for the club.

“I think that local derbies are always very special and the ones that the fans look forward to,” he added.

“The players closely associated with West Ham are really attracted to those type of fixtures.

“Our hope is that we can take the game to Tottenham and cause them a few problems.

“They played last night. There is bound to be a bit of fatigue. They’ll probably play on Sunday.

“The encouraging thing for us is that Wigan won there.

“It hasn’t been the big fortress that Tottenham fans might have expected. We can benefit if there is fatigue in the team.”

Allardyce insists that his side is brimming with confidence going into the game at White Hart Lane.

“I think we’ve got it now, because we’re a third of the way through the season and have produced good performances.

“We’ve got the confidence in ourselves. We’ve got the know how. I’ve got to keep striving to be better than what we already are. That’s my format.

“Let’s get a bit better and continue to improve. This squad was put together in the summer.

“A considerable amount of players came in. As we grow, we get to know each other better.”