Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is refusing to follow the example of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez by criticising Sam Allardyce's style.
Allardyce's Blackburn team travel to White Hart Lane this weekend, nearly a fortnight after losing at Anfield and having his approach mocked by Benitez.
Despite Benitez's side winning on that day, Redknapp believes Liverpool are no longer favourites for the Champions League place that comes with finishing in the top four of the Barclays Premier League, with Manchester City now in pole position if they win their game in hand.
Spurs, however, are fourth heading into the weekend when they have the challenge of facing Allardyce's physical side.
"Everyone plays how they play, they have their own style," Redknapp said. "I have the way I want to play, Blackburn have their way of playing.
"Whatever Sam does, he has been one of the most successful managers, doing what he's done with what he's had.
"In the last 10 years he's done fantastically and nearly got the England manager's job - he was in the final interviews for that.
"I wouldn't criticise anything Sam does because he is a fantastic manager."
Redknapp previously rated Liverpool as favourites for fourth because they have Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in their ranks - but this week they have lost to Wigan to fall further behind in the race.
"I think Manchester City are favourites but Liverpool and Villa will be right there. City have a game in hand," Redknapp said.
"It's going to be so tight - you could easily finish fourth or seventh, it's going to be that close between the four of us."
Redknapp still has Ledley King, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley sidelined through injury, although Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker are available again after being cup-tied last weekend.
Jonathan Woodgate, meanwhile, has undergone an operation in Australia on his groin and will miss the rest of the season.
"Jenas is probably the closest, he's doing a bit of running and shouldn't be too long," Redknapp said.
"Tom should be back soon as well but Aaron is not running or working outside again."
Wilson Palacios, Redknapp's only out-and-out central midfielder, is walking a disciplinary tightrope.
"Wilson is on nine bookings, one away from a two-match ban, and that is the biggest problem for us. We've got to be careful with him," Redknapp said.
Redknapp will want Palacios available when they face Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in April - but he is also wary of the short-term challenges.
He added: "They are tough games coming up. Sam has Blackburn playing really well, he does a great job wherever he goes.
"Blackburn are around halfway and Sam wants to finish as high as he can because the higher they are the more money he gets to spend in the summer because of the prize money. They want to keep pushing on and they won't take their foot off the pedal."
