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Consistency the key, says Ramos
Andrew Fifield, Evening Standard15.09.08
Juande Ramos has warned Tottenham not to become one-game wonders for a second consecutive season.
Spurs kick-started their campaign in impressive fashion at Chelsea two weeks ago when they snatched a well-deserved point from their fierce rivals at Stamford Bridge.
The draw eased some of the pressure which had been building at White Hart Lane after successive Premier League defeats and buoyed spirits ahead of tonight's meeting with Aston Villa.
But Ramos - who saw his side's campaign last year fall apart after they defeated Chelsea in the Carling Cup final - insists the north Londoners must guard against complacency when they face Martin O'Neill's team.
"I hope the confidence is high because at Chelsea we played well and showed we can play against the big teams," he said. "We now need to play in a similar way against Aston Villa and win.
"Villa are a good team, as they were last season. They are a team with experience, they are playing in Europe and are a tough team to play against so it will be difficult for us but we are at home and it's possible to win all those matches.
"It's very important to win. After the draw at Chelsea, if we win the match and get the three points it will be very good for the confidence, for the players, for the fans, for everyone."
Meanwhile, new signing Vedran Corluka - set to make his debut tonight - has vowed he will never emulate departed striker Dimitar Berbatov by holding Tottenham to ransom.
Spurs are still fuming at the Bulgarian's conduct in securing a deadline-day move to Manchester United.
The front-man was left out of the games against Sunderland and Chelsea for not being in the right frame of mind, leaving Ramos with just one senior forward, Darren Bent.
Corluka was facing a similar dilemma last month when he was picked for Manchester City's UEFA Cup qualifying tie against Midtjylland, despite wanting to move to White Hart Lane.
The Croatian's decision to play means he cannot feature in Europe for Spurs, but the defender insists he has no regrets.
He said: "I cannot say anything about what was happening with Berbatov here, because I was not a Spurs player then.
"But I would never have thought about not playing in that UEFA Cup game. I wanted to join Spurs but I couldn't think about that.
"It would not have been right because City were paying me at that time and I needed to give 100 per cent for them.
"City were very good to me last year so that would have been like a betrayal."
Reader views (10)
There's only one ....
- Ash Burton, Grove Poultry Monger
Spurs have certainly been consistent this month. No wins!
- Juan-T-A-Win, LONDON
Rob Hotspurs is a fifth columnist. He otherwise posts as Rob Gooner and should be ignored. No self-respecting Spurs' fan ever writes "Hotspurs", there's no "s" on the end!
As for Ramos, we'll see far clearer how good he is after 8 - 10 games. Until then the jury is out, as it is in the case of every team in the EPL.
- Steven Dale, London, England
I just tell the truth as I see it. I was concerned before the season started & those concerns proved correct. We are bottom, yes bottom of the premiership & I cant see us beating Villa. Who is Rob Gooner? Is he impersonating me?
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
Rob Hotspurs, your idiocy astounds me. Spurs fans are one of a kind and stick together, we don't slag off our team, unlike the team we all know you support, smelly AR5ena1. I have noticed every Spurs article is you posing as Rob Hotspur, but commenting as Rob Gooner on every boring AR5enal article. Seriously boy, get a life, worry about your team or do what we all know you want to do and support a proud outfit like Tottenham. Don't be fooled Spurs fans, we have an imposter.
- Confused Gooner, I want to be at White Hart Lane
Defoe scoring goals and picked for England. He could not get a game under Jol. Berbtov and Keane playing for competitors. Bent not justifying his price tag. Holy Comolli, what a great job the Board are doing! Good that Levy got his thirty million for the Great Sulk, but that was lucky, not skill.
It would be great if we can turn the corner now and Ramos has to be the last chance. If he goes we will be left shooting for minnows to replace him.
How did the team that beat Roma 5-0 in the pre-seasons, go so wrong so fast?
- Stephen Rothbart, Prague, Czech Republic
Never mind about Ramos! Levy is the one who should go for an appalling lack of control re the Berbatov transfer and lack of a suitable replacement. Again he left it too late while he chiselled a bit more cash for ENIC. Levy Out!!
- Spiggy Topes, London, England
Rob, not entirely sure what Ramos has done to deserve your ire. Would Jol have won the Carling Cup last year?, and subsequent Uefa Cup football?.
The real culprit is Levy for hiring Comollii, as Spurs did not sign the necessary players to plug the holes. i.e left-midfield, defensive midfield and another forward. Various deals were in place but not sealed. That is not the manager's fault but the Director of Football.
- Jack, london
Has the comment from 'Rob Hotspurs' been planted here by an Arsenal fan or something? I don't know a single Spurs fan who wants to see Ramos go! Way too early to say we can't qualify for Europe. If we win tonight, we could actually go above Villa, not to mention Man United!
- Ben, London
I cant see us winning tonight. This will leave us rock bottom. Even though we will climb up the league, its time for Comolli & Ramos to go, as I cant see us qualifying for Europe this season, never mind the Champions League. Bring back Martin Jol all is forgiven. 5th place 2 seasons running & sacked for not getting Champions League football!
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
