Spurs talent Huddlestone in shape for a bright future

Everton and Blackburn were among those monitoring Huddlestone's situation and wondering if the England Under 21 midfielder could be prised away from Tottenham in the New Year.

The answer seems certain to be no after two goals against Fulham on Boxing Day and a virtuoso performance described by Ramos as 'magnificent'.

It will give Huddlestone a little extra satisfaction as he celebrates his 21st birthday today at the end of a difficult year, although don't expect to find him feasting on cake and ale.

When Ramos arrived from Spain in October, he took one look around the Spurs squad and told his assistant and fitness guru, Marcos Alvarez, to knock them into shape.

Aaron Lennon and Jermaine Jenas were the only ones not required to lose weight and, two months later, the results of a new diet and training regime are being noticed.

Paul Robinson has shed more than a stone and looks in the best shape for years.

Michael Dawson suffered such bad migraines as a result of the change in diet and gruelling sessions that he had to spend time in hospital.

Huddlestone has also lost weight and was rewarded with his first Barclays Premier League start under the new manager against Fulham, a chance he grabbed with both hands to orchestrate a 5-1 victory.

Turn the clock back 12 months and Huddlestone had just established himself in the Tottenham first team with vision and a passing range rekindling memories of Glenn Hoddle in his pomp.

Hoddle played a part in Huddlestone's development, taking him on loan to Wolves in 2005.

He always thought he would develop into a sweeper, with his size, comfort on the ball and perception.

Martin Jol was another big believer in the youngster, who was released by Nottingham Forest as a teenager because he was not strong enough before being picked up and and likened his style and grace to Franz Beckenbauer, but he also pointed to areas where doubts lingered and, in a way, still do.

The chunky build means there will always be questions asked about Huddlestone's mobility in an era where the best midfielders in the Premier League expect to run 12 kilometres per game.

"He is mobile on the ball but not off it," admitted Jol, who also claimed Huddlestone should be more dominant in the air for his size.

There were coaches at Derby who thought his bulk would force him to settle at centre half, even though they understood that would waste his greatest weapon — his passing.

Increasingly, Jol struggled to accommodate Huddlestone in a four-man midfield with two wingers, especially away from home. But when he left him out in favour of more energy, he missed his ability to orchestrate play.

Former Spurs manager David Pleat said: "Tom has a great range of passing with both feet but the problem might come in central midfield if he is expected to get up and down in a 4-4-2.

"You have to be very athletic in both directions in a modern midfield. If you're not sharp on recovery, people will be past you and running straight at your back four.

"I watched Steven Gerrard storm past Derby's midfield to score on Boxing Day. Once someone like that is past you, you're snookered."

Failure to crack this puzzle at the heart of the team was a key factor in Jol's ultimate failure to move Tottenham on. Now the problem has been inherited by Ramos.

His first reaction was to try to get Huddlestone fitter. It cannot hurt but he is unlikely to suddenly transform into Gerrard. His natural game has more in common with John Mikel Obi.

"Perhaps his best position is in a three-man midfield as the holding nurtured by neighbours Derby. Jol hailed Huddlestone as the finest talent of his age in Europe midfielder, coming forward occasionally to use his shot," suggested Pleat, but Ramos is a 4-4-2 man.

"Spurs have missed Michael Carrick since he left. Didier Zokora has not been the perfect holding man. They conceded four at home to Villa, they were embarrassed at times by Getafe and got themselves in a mess against Aalborg."

Huddlestone's introduction as a half-time sub against Aalborg helped change the game. His two goals against Fulham will restore his confidence. They may also convince him that the work on his physique makes sense.

Progress stalled for Huddlestone in 2007 but Ramos and Alvarez will save the club a fortune if their methods maximise the talent which everyone agrees is lurking within the young midfielder.

David Moyes and Mark Hughes may be frustrated by the timing. Fabio Capello will not be.