Ramos must beware of end of season slump

Last updated : 18 March 2008 By Gareth Davies
It's slightly depressing that, ahead of a match against London rivals Chelsea, there be any question surrounding motivation but after an abject second half display against Manchester City, there is very real cause for Ramos to approach tomorrow nights match with a sense of dread. Play so carelessly against a side who are still have every chance of winning the league and Roman's Russian army may well bring up a score that will go some way to healing some of the wounds we inflicted during our Carling Cup victory.

There is little doubt that revenge will be on the minds of each and every player in Chelsea blue and Ramos will know his side are unlikely be faced by the same performance as on that triumphant afternoon. The worrying thing for Spurs fans is that the man who inspired his players to such heights now seems incapable of lifting his players to perform now that the season is basically over.

Ok, the importance of the remaning league games can be argued but Ramos is supposed to be a disciplinarian, a man who inspires fear and respect by his mere presence on the training ground. On current evidence his words of encouragement or threats of wholesale changes in the summer appear to be falling on deaf ears.

Dimitar Berbatov is a prime example of this. On Sunday he was almost non existant and for the most part he failed to chase causes and seemed like the match itself was distracting him from whatever else he would normally be doing on a Sunday.

Analyse Keane's response to being substituted in the light of his partners apparent lack of enthusiasm and Keane's frustration is more forgivable. Petulant though it was, at least it showed real passion and a determination to be involved. The mooted two week fine will be a harsh one.

Berbatov was not alone in his disinterested display but one would think that few of his teammates should need reminding that they are all playing for their futures. Equally few should need any extra motivation than the chance to put another one over on the likes of Avram Grant and Ashley Cole.

I am not, however, optimistic. Chelsea will come to White Hart Lane full of intent and desperate to close the gap on Manchester United and Arsenal. Our recent unpredictability will have been noted and we can expect Grant to adopt a much more adventurous approach than they did when they lost a month ago. As was the case then, a lot will depend on Ledley King and Johnathon Woodgate as to whether we have any chance repeating that feat.

Prediction: 1-2 Chelsea