FORMER Tottenham defender John Scales believes that the club's French boss Jacques Santini should be applauded for the way he had turned them into Premiership misers.

Spurs, who are at home to Wanderers on Saturday, have conceded just four goals in their opening nine games -- the second-best defensive record in the top flight.

The new defensive style has brought criticism from a variety of sources, including Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who accused Spurs of being negative during their goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

But Scales believes the criticism is unjust, and that Santini and his coaching staff have worked wonders, as the entire back four were thrown together at the start of the season.

The arrivals of Noe Pamarot, Erik Edman and Nourredine Naybet have turned Spurs into a rigid unit, with England international Ledley King benefiting from playing alongside them.

For Spurs fans, brought up on a tradition of flamboyant football, it is a marked departure in style, and one which backfired on Monday when Santini suffered his first away defeat of the season, 1-0 at Portsmouth.

But, in a warning to Wanderers ahead of Saturday's clash, Scales said: "Every successful team plays to their strengths and that is exactly what Spurs are doing.

"They now have a very rigid formation and that is why they have been so successful. The key is that defenders know exactly where they should be when their own side loses possession.

"Santini has got them doing exactly that and it is phenomenal when you consider that three of the back four arrived in the summer or just after the start of the season.

"Players like Naybet have been terrific signings. Naybet, at 34, is still exceptionally mobile and has vast experience while Ledley's confidence has improved dramatically in the last six months.

"One of the reasons for that is his England performances and Spurs are now seeing the best of him."

Scales' admiration for Santini's work is backed up by one of the players who has benefited most from his arrival.

King is revelling in the relaxed approach from the former French coach. He added: "The manager listens to players and he has got a relaxed approach -- it is good.

"It is different for me, it is the first foreign manager I've played under and it is probably closer to my style."

"It has been a great start to the season. We've had to bond and the results are there.

"It is definitely as good a spirit as I've known and staying unbeaten in the first six games was something new to us - especially with the clean sheets."

"He was always going to be a good player but playing alongside Naybet has made a massive difference to him. It also helps to have a goalkeeper like Paul Robinson behind you as a defender.

"He controls his area well and gives the back four all the confidence they need. The midfield should not be forgotten either because they have perfected the art of picking up the loose balls in front of the defence.

"There is a lot of skill in knowing just where to be in midfield, you can't be too close to the back four or that far away that large gaps are left for the opposition to exploit.

"It's not rocket science but it requires discipline from all the players to make sure the unit system works. Santini should be given great credit.