Tonight:
5°c
Spurs stars fear ruthless Ramos
Simon Johnson, Evening Standard10 Jan 2008
Jermaine Jenas today admitted all the Tottenham players fear they could be the next to get the axe from ruthless manager Juande Ramos.
Paul Robinson's future is in doubt after the goalkeeper was dropped for the club's 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi-final last night.
The move came just two days after Ramos told striker Jermain Defoe he can leave White Hart Lane. The Spaniard, who took over in October, has had enough of the club underachieving in the Premier League and the decision to play Radek Cerny came after Robinson conceded eight goals in the previous three games.
He is expected to make a few signings this month to stamp his authority on the squad even further and Jenas says all the players are worried.
"We now all know that we are playing for our futures," said Jenas. "Obviously the manager hasn't brought any players of his own in yet and it is inevitable that it will happen.
"But I don't want to play for anyone else - I want to play for Tottenham. We all know we have to perform every time we go on the pitch, but if that fear gets us playing better then it is a good thing."
Ramos refused to guarantee Robinson will return in goal for the match at Chelsea on Saturday and said: "He is no different to Paul Stalteri or Kevin-Prince Boateng or the others on the bench.
"Only 11 can play. We have 25 players in the squad and those who play must make the most of it. He is a good keeper, which he has demonstrated in his career so far."
Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen is already one target that Ramos may turn to to replace the England stopper.
Jenas had put Tottenham on course for their first win over Arsenal in nine years, only for Theo Walcott to equalise 11 minutes from time. But Jenas insists the team haven't suffered another psychological blow against their rivals.
He added: "Frustration is the word, but we have another game to put it right. A lot of people ask me whether we have a mental block against Arsenal, but as players it's the last thing on your mind."
