Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce is fearing that Tottenham Hotspur will find their form in the Latics clash with Spurs at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
The North London club have made their worst start to a season in 34 years, with Spurs yet to win a game in the Premier league this campaign. Which has left Juande Ramos’ side routed firmly to the bottom of the Premiership.
Ramos spent over £60million this summer in trying to mould the squad at White Hart Lane into his own creation. However, despite the arrival of David Bentley, Luka Modric, Giovanni Dos Santos and Roman Pavlyuchenko, Tottenham have so far failed to make a mark on the Premier League.
Bruce is aware of the problems of foreign players settling in England, having had to guide players like Ecuadorian Wilson Palacios when they arrived in England, with Bruce believing that once Tottenham’s foreign legion settle, Spurs will climb the table.
“When you're making big changes it takes time to settle,” said Bruce.
“I don't care what player you are, when you're coming from Russia or other parts of Europe then you need time.
“We've experienced that here. For instance, when Wilson Palacios was at Birmingham he took three or four months to settle.
“And we had Maynor Figueroa here for five months before we gave him his debut against Manchester United last season.
“You have to let them get used to the conditions, to what's expected of them and, most importantly, to try to adapt to the English way of life.
“Believe me, that's not easy because we're a strange race, and us English are hopeless at trying to adapt when we go and live abroad.
“It's a very difficult time to get them all gelling and playing the way you want to, and patience is the key.
“We're only four games in. If you're talking about eight to 12 games then you can start analysing it more deeply.”
The Latics make the trip to Spurs, having not won in their three previous visits to the Lane, with Ramos picking up his first win in the Premiership in the corresponding fixture last season 4-0.
Wigan won 5-0 against Hull City in their last away match, while Tottenham have a solitary point to show for their four games.
“That shows everybody how the Premier League is because Tottenham have spent a fortune on players,” said Bruce.
“They won't be there at the end of the season, but it shows anybody is capable in this league of going three, four or five games without a win.
“There will come a time when we might go four, five or six games very easily.
“So we are under no illusion that in going to Spurs we will have to play well to get anything from the game.
“They gave us an absolute hiding last year, so I hope we can turn the tables.
“The longer it goes without us giving them any encouragement it becomes more difficult for them, especially when they've had a poor start.
“Spurs have certainly got some fantastic individual players that can win any game of football so we know it's going to be difficult.
“We haven't got the best of records there so we've got to go down there and make sure we play like we have been. If we do that then I know Tottenham will be in for a game.”
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