If the players needed any more motivation to beat Fulham in the FA Cup replay on March 24th it was the highly favourable semi-final draw.

Holders Chelsea and high flying Villa were both avoided and instead we would face the Premier League's resident crisis club Portsmouth.

The potential match up has already got tabloid journalists salivating at all the potential Harry Redknapp/Pompey storylines in the build-up to the game.

It would certainly add an interesting sub-plot to the story, although if you recall the newspapers' "dream final" of 1995, we all know what happened to Spurs there.

If they do make it through expect plenty of complimentary quotes about Portsmouth from Redknapp in a bid to disguise the fact that his ridiculously expensive and overpaid signings are the reason they are in such a mess.Editor's note:- This is personal opinion, and the Portsmouth owner of the day sanctioned such business behaviour

But still, if you'd asked a Spurs fan last August whether they would take having Fulham and Pompey standing in the way of an FA Cup final they would have bitten your hand off. This is a glorious opportunity to reach the Wembley showpiece for the first time this century - and this is what makes Spurs fans nervous.

Being the favourites for a match can bring its own pressure, and Spurs will certainly feel that when the take the field at White Hart Lane against a Fulham side who are a better team than most give credit for. A comfortable win over them in January shouldn't disguise the fact they had an excellent February, progressing in two cup competitions and moving up the league.

Many people will argue a day out at Wembley is what Roy Hodgson deserves for all his good work at the club. However, Spurs are now second favourites in the FA Cup betting and they should progress.

Away from the cup, Monday night's result at Wigan gave Spurs a league boost and they didn't even play. Liverpool's defeat gave Redknapp's men a real advantage in the race for fourth.

The defeat really highlighted the deficiencies in Rafa Benitez's side and, with tough fixtures to come, you have to wonder if they are out of the race already.

With Villa facing a potential fixture pile-up, it can be argued that Spurs and Man City hold all the aces in the race for that Champions League spot.

A day or two out at Wembley would be the icing on the cake for Tottenham fans.

Meanwhile, Spurs striker Jermaine Defoe should be heading to South Africa for this year's World Cup.

England's World Cup odds make them third favourites to win the competition but they will need their strikers to be in top form if they are to go all the way.