History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

RAMOS READS RIOT ACT TO SPURS PLAYERS

Juande Ramos has read the riot act to his Tottenham players following last weekend's 4-1 demolition by lowly Newcastle at White Hart Lane. Despite having little to play for in terms of Premier League position the Spaniard has reiterated that his first teamers are playing for their futures at the club.

When asked why his players looked as though they gave up against Kevin Keegan's team, he said: "It bothers me a lot. I don't accept it and I don't understand it.

"After the cup competitions, we still have league matches left which perhaps don't that much important in terms of the table, but we want to perform, and maintain our performances, and try to make sure that the players put a maximum effort in the matches."

In midweek defender Jonathan Woodgate had been scathing of his team-mates after the Newcastle game, insisting they needed a 'kick up the arse'. And Ramos continued: "It surprises me that he said one kick up the backside! It should be several!

"We have to try and make sure that they play with the same intensity and level of expectation as with any other game, not to think about the points in particular, but to put in as much effort as they possibly can."

Labels: football, Jonathan Woodgate, Juande Ramos, Premier League, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 7:48 pm | Permalink | Comments

RAMOS TO CUT SHORT SPURS' SUMMER HOLIDAY

Juande Ramos is to cut short his Tottenham players' summer holidays in
the hope that they will come back sharper and fitter next season.

Ramos, never slow to stamp his authority, intends to organise some
friendly games after the current campaign has concluded, as well as
introduce an intensive pre-season training camp.

When the former Sevilla coach took over from Martin Jol in late October,
he was dismayed by the lack of fitness his players showed.

He completely changed the squad's diet and fitness ethic and it reaped
immediate rewards - the 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Carling Cup was
Spurs' first silverware in nine seasons.

With his team 11th in the Premier League, with little to play for and
few players likely to feature in the summer's European Championship,
Ramos wants to ensure his charges do not return overweight and unfit.

The Spaniard said: "It is true that the season is ending quite early
because of the Euro Finals and two months without doing anything is
probably too much holiday for them. So to have friendlies would mean
that they will not have such a long time for rest.

"Two months (off) is not the best because it is too long. They are still
going to have a long enough time to enjoy their holiday."

On his pre-season plans, Ramos added: "Our intention is to look for
where the players can work and where we can stay and do this for 12-15
days.

"We are thinking of what is best for the team for next season. We are
not thinking about the past, but what is best for the team for the
future."

Labels: Carling Cup, football, Juande Ramos, Martin Jol, Premier League, Sevilla, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:14 pm | Permalink | Comments

ROBINSON HAPPY TO BE BACK IN SPURS TEAM

England goalkeeper Paul Robinson was pleased to be back in the Spurs starting XI and proved his worth with two excellent saves in his club's 1-1 draw with Slavia Prague at White Hart Lane. Robinson had been dropped by manager Juande Ramos in January after a handful of bloopers had cost his team goals.

But the stopper, recently overlooked by new England manager Fabio Capello in his first game in charge of the country against Switzerland, when asked whether he was happy to be back in the fold, said: "I just had to answer myself - I know the way that I have been playing; or not playing as the case may be.

"I just want to get back on track and get back in the team. I am delighted to be back in a team that is doing well."

Robinson was disappointed that his team did not add to their one goal in the first half. But he was pleased for young goal-scorer Jamie O'Hara, and continued: "We knew it was going to be a tough game and we couldn't take it lightly.

"We wanted to score a couple of goals in the first half so we could take it a little easier. But I think our second half performance was disappointing - we scored the first goal and then seemed to rest on our laurels a little bit. We should give them credit, though - they played well.

"[Jamie] has been doing well for us and the manager has brought him into the team. He was used only for a little bit at the start but he has been playing a lot more and starting games now and it was a delight for him to get his goal tonight." Robinson also added that he wishes to play in the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday against Chelsea. "I would like to think that I will be playing at Wembley - I hope so," he said.

Labels: Carling Cup, England, Juande Ramos, Paul Robinson, Tottenham, UEFA Cup

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:44 pm | Permalink | Comments

O'HARA HOPING FOR WEMBLEY STARTING BERTH

Tottenham's young midfielder Jamie O'Hara was over the moon to net his first European goal for his club, in only his second appearance in the UEFA Cup. The 21-year-old opened the scoring against Slavia Prague, but his team played badly in the second half and the Czech side fired an equalizer in the second half to put the skids under Spurs.

But Juande Ramos' side held on for a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane and advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup, going through 3-2 on aggregate.

And goal hero O'Hara said: "It was brilliant to score - a great moment in my career.

"I think we are just happy to get through in the end because we were disappointing in the second half. We sat back on the game when we should have gone forward and got two or three [goals]. But that is the way it goes sometimes and we are happy to go through."

Spurs take on Chelsea in the final of the Carling Cup in Sunday, and the youngster wants to be involved and hopes he has done enough to convince his manager that he should be afforded a starting berth.

He added: "I definitely hope to be involved on Sunday - it would be a dream come true [to play]. If I can be involved it would be great. Stepping out at Wembley is a dream for any Englishman - I can't wait."

Labels: Carling Cup, Chelsea, Jamie O'Hara, Juande Ramos, Tottenham, UEFA Cup

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:40 pm | Permalink | Comments

CERNY BEMOANS SPURS' POROUS DEFENCE

Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny bemoaned his team’s “silly mistakes” after they conceded yet another last minute goal at the weekend and is worried about the low confidence of Younes Kaboul.

Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson scored with 35-yard wonder-strike in the 93rd minute to gift Alex McLeish a dream start with a 3-2 victory at White Hart Lane.

The 33-year-old, who joined Spurs from home-club Slavia Prague in January 2005, asked: “How many times have you seen us concede a goal in the last minute?

“Larsson’s goal was fantastic, but it’s like when I was in goal against Blackburn when (Christopher) Samba scored in the last minute and we lost – I was a little bit unlucky.

“It’s these little things that all add up. We have lost maybe 18 points in the last five minutes this year – that’s a lot of points. I just hope our luck will change.”

Spurs have conceded five goals in the 90th minute or later, and have dropped seven points. The tone was set in the Premier League’s first game of the season on August 11 when Sunderland found a winning goal in the 94th minute. If they had not conceded those late goals Ramos’ team would be in tenth place.

Cerny is also concerned by the form of young centre-back Kaboul. The Frenchman was replaced at half time on Sunday by manager Juande Ramos after conceding a penalty, which Gary McSheffrey converted to put McLeish’s team one nil up.

The Czech international said: “Younes made a big mistake against Birmingham and it makes it difficult for us – we need not to make silly mistakes like this.

"It was a silly foul and a penalty. And in the last few games we have made big mistakes.

“Younes is having a difficult time at the moment. But when he arrived he was playing well. I hope he has the character to come back and be a success at Spurs, because we have some very good players here."

He added: “But we need to win games like Birmingham City at home, so we can be fine for the next game. We do the first step but we have a problem with the second step.

“I think there is a problem with the confidence, not just of Younes, but of the whole team. When we are a goal up we need to relax and control the game more."

Labels: Birmingham, football, Juande Ramos, Premier League, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:41 pm | Permalink | Comments

LARSSON'S SCREAMER STEALS POINTS IN MCLEISH DEBUT

Sebatian Larsson's 92nd minute screamer brought Juande Ramos’ unbeaten start as Tottenham manager to an end and unbridled joy for Birmingham’s new manager, Alex McLeish, who saw his team win 3-2 in his first game.

In a highly entertaining match McLeish, who relinquished his position as Scottish national manger in midweek, made three changes to the side who lost at home to Portsmouth last weekend. Most significantly 36-year-old Maik Taylor was recalled between the sticks.

The Northern Ireland ‘keeper’s heroics, particularly in the first half, ensured the three points for the visitors, as Birmingham went into the break not only with a clean sheet but also somehow in front, thanks to Gary McSheffrey’s 24th minute penalty.

They had managed only one shot in the half – Daniel De Ridder’s second minute strike, which screwed well wide – compared with Tottenham’s 10 efforts, four of which were on target.

Taylor was first called into action in the tenth minute when centre-back Johan Djourou misguided a headed clearance – the ball falling kindly for Dimitar Berbatov 12 yards from the goal. The Bulgarian forward struck his gilt edge opportunity straight at the grateful ‘keeper.

It was all Spurs, and after 20 minutes Berbatov’s inside-out through ball found Darren Bent, whose swiveled shot from six yards was deflected agonisingly wide by Taylor.

Taylor’s best save came after Birmingham had opened the scoring though McSheffrey’s spot-kick. In Birmingham’s solitary first half attack, the beleaguered Younes Kaboul, who missed Thursday’s game due to groin injury, chopped down the former Coventry forward. He stepped up to the spot and cracked the penalty straight, as Paul Robinson dived to his left.

Taylor had to be at his best to keep Birmingham’s sheet clean before the interval, and showed just why his Scottish manager selected him over Richard Kingson when Gareth Bale’s free kick was saved.

The 18-year-old curled his centrally positioned, 30 yard shot towards the top right-hand corner, only for Taylor to reach the ball with the tips of his fingers, and turn it round the post. Bale, just recovered from a metatarsal injury, was to later limp off, much to the frustration of Ramos, who is short of left-backs in his squad. The Welshman was seen with his right foot in a cast after the game, and could only walk with the help of crutches.

Ramos rang the changes at the break, replacing Bent with Jemaine Defoe, and Kaboul with Tom Huddlestone, and it paid dividends almost immediately.

After only five minutes Spurs had equalised through Robbie Keane, after Djourou had tugged back Berbatov in the box. The Republic of Ireland striker then latched onto Huddlestone’s lofted ball, after Fabrice Muamba had failed to clear from a corner. His finish, with the studs of his right boot, put Ramos’ team ahead, and the relief was tangible.

However, Keane was to turn from hero to villain after being shown a straight red card with 20 minutes remaining; his late tackle on Djourou, being deemed dangerous by referee Phil Dowd.

Cameron Jerome had leveled the scores six minutes before Keane’s ejection, with a rare Birmingham attack, but it was midfielder Larsson who will rightfully claim Monday’s headlines. It was the third time that Spurs have conceded in injury time this season, after leaking late goals against Fulham and Blackburn.

To rub salt into Tottenham’s wounds, Larsson is a former Arsenal player, but his 30 yard crackerjack shot powered into the top right-hand corner, passed the groping hand of England No1 Robinson, and lifts Birmingham two points above their north London hosts.

Labels: Alex McLeish, Birmingham, Juande Ramos, Premier League, Tottenham

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 9:02 pm | Permalink | Comments

INTERNATIONAL BREAK HALTS STINGY SPURS’ MOMENTUM

Juande Ramos’ first Premier League game at White Hart Lane saw Tottenham comprehensibly defeat a feckless Wigan side 4-0 yesterday. But Spurs, who have won three and drawn one in the Spaniard’s first four games, will now have their momentum halted by the two-week international break.

A first half Jemaine Jenas brace, followed by Aaron Lennon’s 39th minute swerving volley, ensured the points. And with under twenty minutes left record signing Darren Bent, off the bench, crowned his 200th league appearance with a well-taken strike.

The £16.5m summer recruit admitted he would have preferred to play 90 minutes, but is confident that the team can advance further up the league when they travel to Upton Park to play West Ham on November 25.

He said: “I was a little disappointed not to start, but it happens - it’s all part and parcel of football. But I was lucky enough to get on the pitch and get a goal.

“It was good to get on the score sheet. We played well and got the result - that was the most important thing.

“It’s good to go into the international break with three points under our belt. We have definitely got the quality of players to get out of the situation we are in, and we can push up the league when we return.”

Ramos was most pleased that his defence achieved a clean sheet - the third Paul Robinson has kept under the former Sevilla manager. Prior to his appointment Spurs had conceded goals in all but two of their 15 matches.

"We are happy with the scoreline but the thing I'm more happy with is three of the four matches since I've been here have been clean sheets," Ramos said.

"Once you get that clean sheet, players play much better and have more confidence.”

Labels: Darren Bent, Jemaine Jenas, Juande Ramos, Tottenham, Wigan

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 1:27 am | Permalink | Comments

RAMOS EARNS HIS SPURS

Tottenham Hotspur and Wigan began Sunday equal on eight points at the lower end of the Premier League, but after Spurs’ consummate 4-0 victory the teams couldn’t have looked further apart. The north London club are very much in the ascendancy under the guidance of their new manager, Juande Ramos.

It was only Spurs’ second win of the campaign, but under the Spaniard, there will be many more on the way. In Ramos’ first home game in the league, Jermaine Jenas netted a first-half brace, while Aaron Lennon made sure of the result in the 39th minute with a sweet, dipping, inside-out volley. Darren Bent, coming off the bench, crowned his 200th league game with a well-taken strike in the second half.

There could have been many more too, but scoring has not been Spurs’ problem this term - it is their defensive brittleness that has lost them points. Until now, that is. England No1 Paul Robinson, barracked by fans earlier in the season after a number of questionable performances, has conceded only one goal in his last four games.

Considering his team only managed to keep their sheet clean in two of the previous 15 games, this current run will boost Robinson’s confidence - good news for both club and country.

For Wigan, however, things can only get better. Having parted company with manager Chris Hutchings after last weekend’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea, they looked rudderless and posed Robinson’s gloves no problems whatsoever. The north west club continue their dismal run - the worst in the Premier League - of seven straight losses, having leaked 18 goals in that time.

Caretaker manager Frank Barlow looked disinterested, and rose from his dug-out only once in 94 minutes - in the 29th minute, after his team were two goals down. “This is definitely not the job I wanted,” Barlow had admitted in midweek, and it showed.

Starting with Marcus Bent as solitary forward, Wigan looked feckless and disorganised. The only positives for Latics fans at present are Emile Heskey’s immanent return - he is pencilled in for the trip to Arsenal at the end of the month - and news that Paul Jewell is to meet club directors to discuss a possible return tomorrow.

Spurs go into the international break with a spring in their step - Ramos’ four games in charge have brought three wins and a draw. They will go to Upton Park to take on local rivals West Ham United on November 25 hoping to jump even further up the Premier League.

Labels: Darren Bent, Jemaine Jenas, Juande Ramos, Tottenham, Wigan

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 8:06 pm | Permalink | Comments