FA Cup fourth round: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur Live Online


Despite the support given to Martin Jol by Tottenham fans, in time they may come to realise the shortcomings of the team until 'the man from Sevilla' took over. So it might be a good time to take stock of Juande Ramos's achievement.

Most importantly, Ramos and his team have addressed the fitness and dietary levels of the players. The squad looks finely sculpted. They must be running considerably more than they did under Jol and there is little doubt of the increased time spent in the weight room.

'Jol may be missed and his treatment was shabby but next season Tottenham fans may very well find that the team mount a genuine challenge for the Champions League'


Consequently, fewer goals are being conceded in the final ten minutes of each half. In addition, the team is competing all over the park. They are chasing, harrying the opposition and keeping the ball further up the park, leaving fewer opportunities for an opposition strike on goal. Arsenal may have had 61percent of the play on Tuesday night but little of it was in the strike zone and most of it was based around inconsequential triangles. It is hard to imagine a time in the history of Spurs when a team have run so aggressively.

Ramos has also organised the team. It is true that his fortunes have been helped by the return of Ledley King to provide stability at the back, something Jol could not count on. But that stability is based on training-ground routines and good personnel decision making.

You can see how the back four work to specific assignments (Young-Pyo Lee in particular) and how they are supported from midfield, especially from the flanks (has Aaron Lennon ever tackled back quite so much?). Ramos also took the brave and difficult decision to drop Paul Robinson whose form demanded nothing less. In Radek Cerny he has a less talented keeper but so far one that is more reliable. Michael Dawson, in particular, seems to have responded to the change and he is getting back to his form of last season that made him one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League and resulted in his deserved involvement in the England squad.

If the tactical structure and fitness levels are in place, then there is still much work to be done on personnel. Under Jol's leadership, players were under-performing and often unengaging. Under Ramos you begin to sense how players can be used to the needs of the game. It was of little surprise to see Cesc Fabregas in the game on Tuesday night. Even though his presence was the result of a Denilson injury, it was predictable that Wenger would use him early if Arsenal were behind.

Teemu Tainio's presence was designed to block the midfield, suppress Arsenal's midfield creativity and to spring Jermaine Jenas; he performed these tasks admirably and confirmed just how much Tottenham need a forceful midfield ball winner. Jol only flirted with this possibility and whilst Didier Zakora was often used in the role, he appeared to be unclear of his remit.

Ramos has also re-introduced Tom Huddlestone both at the back and also in front of the back four. He is not a great tackler but his long-ball passing gives the team an explosive dimension and also restricts the ambitions of the opposition, who fear a precise 50-yard ball over the top.

According to the media, the January transfer window continues to witness Tottenham's wish to bring in a good number of foreign, experienced players. Of course there are also rumours surrounding any team but on this occasion the rumours do strike a chord. The Ramos tactical plan is evident and it is clear that he demands a tighter physical presence from his full-backs.

Both Pascal Chimbonda and Lee give the ball away too much and they will be replaced. Dawson and Ledley King need further support given that Younes Kaboul may not yet be ready to play regularly. A ball-winning midfield player will be brought in to complement and arguably replace Zakora and Tainio, although both may well stay. A top-line goalkeeper will also be needed to allow Robinson to leave with a little dignity.

The left midfielder so clearly sought by Jol may be still not be brought in. There are a limited number of candidates and Steed Malbranque and Jamie O'Hara have done a good job even though they both suggest a profile that signifies the congestion of midfield rather than the open lines of wing play. Tottenham do need an incisive, quick outfielder to provide quality crosses; something that Ramos has yet to exploit.

Ramos may have graded the 5-1 demolition of a poor Arsenal side as 'perfect'  but he has much more to do, especially in the provision of new players. Jol may be missed and his treatment was shabby but next season Tottenham fans may very well find that the team mount a genuine challenge for the Champions League. And with a team that doesn't just make up the numbers.