Luka Modric has been one of Tottenham's best players since Harry Redknapp arrived at White Hart Lane, but the Croatian also symbolises an ongoing problem the Tottenham manager has been unable to resolve.

As he approaches tonight's key Premier League game at Hull, Redknapp is still faced with the uncomfortable truth that his team remain a soft touch away from home, particularly when they head north of Watford.

Four defeats in the north of England - against Wigan, Burnley, Manchester United and Bolton - in January highlighted Spurs' brittle character and fragile self-belief.

Although, to be fair to Redknapp, this lack of bottle on their travels has been evident long before his move from Portsmouth four months ago - the club have won just two of their nine games in the north this season, against a struggling Newcastle side in the Carling Cup, and at Manchester City in the League in November.

Modric has only been at Spurs since last July, but he has quickly come down with his team-mates' travel sickness.

In recent matches at White Hart Lane against Stoke and Arsenal, the 23-year-old was outstanding, demanding the ball from his colleagues and proving a constant menace for opposition markers with his subtlety and vision.

Put him in a northern stadium, however, and Modric more often than not looks something of a lost soul.

In defeats at Wigan, Burnley and Bolton last month, the midfielder was substituted before the hour mark after ineffective displays, for example. For £16.5million, however, Redknapp is entitled to expect a player who can still handle a hostile environment.

Part of the problem maybe that Redknapp, as regularly as he praises Modric, has yet to decide his best position.

The former Dinamo Zagreb man has played just behind a lone striker, and in central midfield, with Spurs likely to use him on the left of a midfield quartet at the KC Stadium tonight.

Redknapp said: "Luka was great on the left of midfield against Arsenal, and proved he can play there. I've used him in the centre, but I have Wilson Palacios, Didier Zokora, Tom Huddlestone and Jermaine Jenas, so I don't need Luka there."

Accommodating Modric is the least of Redknapp's problems.

A source of more concern is the late goals his team have let in, with West Brom, Wigan and Bolton all overcoming Spurs by taking the lead in the final 10 minutes.

The Spurs boss said: "Conceding late away from home has been a problem, especially from set pieces. It has always been away from home. We shouldn't get nervous in the last 10 minutes.

"We are not a big team. If you look at our defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk last week, only Michael Dawson is a really good header of the ball.

"Pascal Chimbonda and Tom Huddlestone are okay in the air, but if Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King aren't in the team, we don't have too many players who are strong in that department.

"I don't know how Ledley is at the moment. He has had a hamstring injury, so we will have to assess his fitness this week, because he is a big player for us."

Chimbonda was one of three former Spurs players brought back to the club during January as Redknapp sought to add more ruthlessness and fortitude but where does the Spurs boss intend to fit the versatile Frenchman in?

Vedran Corluka has done a decent job at right-back, which is Chimbonda's strongest position, while Dawson, Woodgate and - when he is fit - King have the centre-back spots sewn up.

While the former Wigan defender, who is likely to lose his recently-held left-back berth to Benoit Assou-Ekotto tonight, is still unsure about his best role on the pitch, Chimbonda is certain he know's what Spurs' problem is.

He said: "When we face Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal, we show that we can play against them.

"But sometimes, we need to be more concentrated against the smaller teams. There are no poor teams in the Premier League. Every side fights hard and plays good football.

"You look at the players we have, though, like Luka Modric, and you realise we shouldn't be anywhere near the bottom of the league.

"I am very happy to be back here, and I want to help us finish in the top half of the league."

Many Spurs fans, on the other hand, would settle simply for finishing fourth from bottom.