SPURS travel to Hull City on Monday with something to prove.

The Lilywhites suffered a shock 1-0 defeat in the corresponding fixture at White Hart Lane in October, a result that did much to speed the exit of former head coach Juande Ramos.

Though the newly-promoted Tigers took the Premier League by storm in the opening months, it was still something of a surprise result.

Those were dark days for Tottenham fans and, even though most are happy to see Harry Redknapp now in charge of the mis-firing Lilywhites, his new charges still have much to do to avoid the drop.

Hull have themselves slipped in recent months and go into the game just four points better off than Spurs.

Redknapp will be hoping his team have taken steps forward since that embarrassing defeat to the Tigers. It was a game in which the Lilywhites dominated, only to fail to take their chances, a killer instinct missing on the day.

And that was again the problem against Arsenal just two weeks ago, the last time Tottenham were in Premier League action.

Redknapp knows his side have got to be more ruthless.

Away from home, Spurs have generally struggled in recent years and this season has been no exception. They have won just two Premier League matches on the road.

However, they will draw hope from the fact that Hull have won just three at the KC Stadium themselves.

With the Carling Cup final against Manchester United just over a week away, Spurs will want to go into that game knowing their league position is looking a little more secure.

Defeat, on the other hand, could see Redknapp's troops kicking off against Middlesbrough on March 4, their next league game after Hull, back in the bottom three.

Monday's match at the KC Stadium kicks off at 8pm.