Weight is not over for Spurs slimmers

Since replacing Martin Jol in late October, Ramos and Alvarez, with the help of diet guru Antonio Escribano, have presided over a major overhaul of Tottenham players' eating habits.

Measures have included the banning of tomato ketchup and fruit juice. But it seems the hard work has only just begun for Spurs' stars.

Alvarez said: 'When we arrived, we realised that the team was carrying excess baggage.

'I made a very simple comparison with the Sevilla team that we had been working with and, taking into account the size of the players, the team was basically 100 kilos over.

'So I immediately talked to Tottenham and we set the wheels in motion to change things. They have now lost between 40 and 50 kilos.

'Now getting the rest off is the most difficult part but we have also turned a lot of fat into muscle.'

Alvarez admitted he had been left stunned by the fatty foods Tottenham's players were feasting on under Jol's stewardship.

'The truth is, the first buffet I saw, I took photographs of it because it was very interesting,' said Alvarez.

'Lots of sauces, a lot of cakes, chocolate muffins, a box full of sweets. So we tried to put things right.'

Ramos admitted his orders had not been well received by his players, but they have come to accept the benefits of such abstinence as performances have improved.

He said: 'At the start, they complained because we were taking away the things they liked.

'But, gradually, they have understood that we have done it so they can improve and, as results have improved, they have realised it is necessary.

'They have all lost weight, some drastically, but they have seen how their performances have improved and the team has moved up the League and they have accepted it.'

One player whose weight has been reduced markedly by the strict new regime is goalkeeper Paul Robinson, although his new frame has done little to rebuild his shattered confidence.

Robinson's alarming lack of form has seen him lose his place to Radek Cerny, who will be in goal again tonight against former side Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup.

Barring injury, Cerny seems certain to keep the jersey for Sunday week's Carling Cup Final against Chelsea at Wembley.

Revealing the extent to which relations have deteriorated between Ramos and Robinson following the decision to drop him for the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal, another former Slavia player, Spurs youngster Tomas Pekhart, said: 'Robinson gives the impression of being a very angry man.

'When Ramos put him on the bench for the first time, he did not even go to the warm-up, which made the coach even more angry.

'Ramos is very strict about discipline. Nobody has dared to challenge him.'

Robinson's loss has certainly been Cerny's gain. The last time he returned to Slavia Prague with Tottenham in last season's UEFA Cup qualifier, his inclusion in a pre-match press conference was little more than a public relations exercise.

But, having since replaced Robinson, Cerny was the undisputed star of the show last night, sitting next to his manager.

Discussing his emotions upon returning to Prague as Tottenham's first choice, Cerny said: 'It will definitely be a very special experience for me.'

Despite ousting Robinson, it seems Cerny's stay at White Hart Lane will not be extended beyond the end of his contract in the summer. But, for now, Cerny is just happy to be first choice.

He said: 'It is not about being No 1 or No 2, it is about who is at his best at the time. I am just glad to be playing a lot. I don't want to think about my future now.'

Despite travelling with the squad, Spurs skipper Ledley King is unlikely to be risked on a hard pitch, with temperatures predicted to plummet below zero.

Also missing is Michael Dawson, who pulled a hamstring early in the 3-0 win over Derby on Saturday, meaning Younes Kaboul is likely to be handed a starting place alongside Jonathan Woodgate.

SLAVIA PRAGUE (4-2-3-1): Vaniak; Drizdal, Brabec, Latka, Hubacek; Suchy, Tavares; Jarolim, J Cerny, Pudil; Strihavka.

TOTTENHAM (4-4-2): R Cerny; Chimbonda, Kaboul, Woodgate, Lee; Lennon, Jenas, Huddlestone, Malbranque; Berbatov, Keane.

Referee: Claudio Circhetta (Switzerland). TV: Five 7.30pm (Kick off, 8pm).