Eriksson hoping chats with Spurs supremo Levy don't return to haunt him

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The Swede has revealed he frequently got together with the Tottenham chairman during his time in charge of the English national team.

And while the City manager insists he never formally advised Levy, Eriksson admits acting as a sounding board as Levy formulated his plans to revitalise the club with young home-grown talent.

As England coach, Eriksson had a vested interest in the career progression of promising starlets such as Jermaine Jenas and Aaron Lennon, who joined Spurs in the final year of the Swede's reign ahead of the World Cup finals in 2006.

But he may regret his conversations with the Tottenham supremo if one of his former international charges play a decisive role in this evening's clash at the City of Manchester Stadium.

"I don't think it's accurate to say I was asked for my advice," Eriksson said. "But of course I lived in London and so I went to see Tottenham many, many times and I met him (Daniel Levy) many, many times.

"I had breakfast with him sometimes and we talked football because he likes to talk football. I wouldn't say I gave him advice but we talked a lot about young English players.

He added: "I think it's a very good idea to bring in young English players. He tries to take in a lot of young players and the ones they bought are very good. It's a good idea but if you ask me why, I don't know. But it's a good idea. I think it's good for the fans as well."

City's 100 per cent home record this season has reinforced Eriksson's belief that his side can avenge their defeat to Jermain Defoe's match-winner in the Premier League encounter between the two sides at White Hart Lane just 10 days ago.

But he admits Juande Ramos has had an immediate impact at the North London club and is convinced Spurs are a different team to the one that struggled during the opening weeks of the campaign.

"They had a slow start," Eriksson said. "I think everyone expected them to fight for the top five or six places and they can still do it I am sure.

"I think they are on the right way now. They beat us and they beat Portsmouth away which was a great result."