Monday, October 29, 2007

Ramos set to start work at Spurs

New Tottenham head coach Juande Ramos will take charge of his squad for the first time at training on Monday.

The Spaniard watched from the stands at White Hart Lane on Sunday as Spurs lost 2-1 to Blackburn, a defeat that keeps them in the relegation zone.

Tottenham's first match under Ramos will be Wednesday's Carling Cup tie at home to Blackpool.

Ex-Spurs captain Garry Mabbutt said: "I think the first job he will concentrate on will be shoring up the defence."

Report: Ramos takes charge at Spurs

Mabbutt told BBC Radio 5 Live: "If you look at it from an attacking point of view, only Arsenal and Manchester United have scored more goals than Tottenham this season.

"But Arsenal have conceded seven, United have conceded four, and we've conceded 23.

"That clearly shows where Ramos will be concentrating in his first weeks of working with the team."

Clive Allen, caretaker boss on Sunday, said: "They're not reaching their capabilities at the moment.

"They know the new manager comes in and they start (on Monday). There's work to do, results to get, but I think they're a very honest and good bunch of lads."

Ramos sat between his new chairman, Daniel Levy, and sporting director Damien Comolli to see Spurs lose to Blackburn before being introduced to the squad.

"Juande Ramos popped into the dressing room briefly to meet his new players and simply told them: "We start today," said BBC Radio 5 Live's Alistair Bruce-Ball.

Ramos arrives in London having won five trophies in 15 months with Seville, but Spanish football journalist Andy Mitten says he always had an eye on a move to England.

"There are similarities to Arsene Wenger, he's a student of the game," Mitten told 5 Live.

"He's got quite a dour personality, he's a hard man and gets the best out of his players. He turns moderate players into world-beaters."

Mitten added: "He's taken Seville as far as he could. They did really well last year on a budget one 10th the size of Real Madrid.

"He'll probably have more money at Spurs but he doesn't speak English, that's difficult."

Source: BBC Sport

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