SPURS and England legend Chris Waddle is expecting a thrilling and entertaining cup tie at Turf Moor tonight - because he knows that the home fans will demand nothing less.

Waddle had a difficult year as the player manager at Turf Moor in the season 1997-98. He was Stan Ternent's predecessor in the hot-seat but it was an experience he feels he has benefited from.

"I certainly learned that the Burnley fans have been brought up to expect good football and they demand to see their team attack at home," he said.

"I know they will appreciate the way Tottenham play because it is an attacking style, a passing game. When I came to Turf Moor that was what I wanted to do, I had no intention of playing kick and rush, launching it down the field and I think the fans appreciated that.

"The first half of the season was very difficult but if we had played both halves like the second one we would have finished eighth which is not bad in your first year."

The Clarets have moved onwards and upwards since Waddle left in 1998 and he has been impressed by the achievements of his successor and he is confident that Ternent's troops will be fired up for tonight's game.

"I am sure Burnley will give it a good go and Stan is not in any position to rest any of his players," he said. "But Spurs will be up for it as well, having lost in the final last year, and Glenn knows that it is a great gateway to Europe.

"Even if he does use the squad system a bit he will have a strong side out. For example, if someone like Les Ferdinand comes in, that will not weaken them."

Waddle has noted the way Burnley have made a "wonderful recovery" after their "dreadful start" but the recent blip, three successive defeats, does not surprise him.

"It is very hard to keep winning games," he said. "They have shipped a few goals but I am sure Stan will do something about it.

"If you were a betting man you would have to go for Tottenham but Glenn is aware Turf Moor is a tough place to go to and it will be one hell of a game. There is more than enough in the Burnley side to give Spurs a few problems over the 90 minutes and the lower division clubs always have a chance in a one-off game."

Waddle is upset at the stance some clubs now take in relation to the tournament and he claimed: "It is unfortunate that it has become second rate. Apart from the really big boys I would have thought everyone would be taking it seriously.

"As it is, the Worthington Cup is a great chance for first division teams to get a bit of glory and that is why tonight will be a cracking game.

"Even in my time there, Spurs were always known as a good cup team and that is partly because of the way they have always played. I have seen them two or three times this season, including against Chelsea on Sunday, and they are playing some good football. If it had not been for Cudicini, they would have won.

"But when your team has players like Sheringham, Redknapp and Poyet you can only play one way and if Robbie Keane is fit he will be a big threat to Burnley.

"That is why I think it will be a great game, two sides who want to win and are going for it."

Waddle is on media duty with Sky TV tonight at Turf Moor and he clearly believes they have backed a winner. But as for who the actual winner will be, only time will tell.