By Chris Harris
After a dismal start to the season on and off the pitch, things are looking up for Tottenham. One defeat in 11 represents an almighty improvement on their autumn form and Spurs have scaled new heights in the past week with victories - and clean sheets - at Portsmouth and Manchester City. Arsenal fans will be disappointed but their local rivals look like staving off a relegation dogfight after all.
The reason for Spurs' resurgence? Juande Ramos. The new boss has made his presence felt since arriving from Seville and, although Martin Jol was loved by the White Hart Lane faithful, you sense he will be just another footnote if Ramos finally brings silverware to Arsenal's success-starved neighbours.
We spoke to James Callow of the Tottenham Journal for a Spurs perspective ahead of Saturday's North London derby at Emirates Stadium. Read on for his views on Tottenham's revival, the impact of Ramos, activity in the imminent transfer window and the tactical switches which have held Spurs in good stead.
THE STORY SO FAR
"Spurs have been very impressive for the last couple of weeks.
The team came together quite well as soon as Ramos came in,
although a couple of disappointing defeats showed that there was
still work to be done. The defence was very poor but more recently
some players who were looking poor have looked a lot
better."
MAN OF THE MOMENT
"Ramos has made a huge impact. A lot of people felt sorry for
Martin Jol and that was right, it was tough on him. But Ramos is
the new man and he has already shown what a good manager he is. He
has been very proactive on the touchline, making very good
substitutions. Barely a game goes by when one of the decisions he
makes during the game doesn't make a positive difference. A
couple of times Spurs have had disappointing results but that was
not for the want of trying on Ramos' part."
NEW FACES
"I think it's easier to say which positions they are
looking to strengthen and it is pretty much all positions with the
exception of the strikers. Although they could always surprise me
by selling Defoe and bringing in someone else. I'm not sure
they will spend as much as some people expect. There has been talk
of £40 million but I really don't think that's the
case, they don't really need that. But they will bear in mind
that Gareth Bale is out for three months, maybe longer, so they
lack quality on the left-hand side. There is always the possibility
that Spurs will buy a right back with Pascal Chimbonda's future
not that certain. Probably above all else they need a defensive
midfielder - Spurs have been crying out for one for some time now
but it hasn't really been addressed. I think that will be the
key signing."
CAUSE FOR OPTIMISM
"On different levels through the squad there have been some
pronounced changes. Aaron Lennon had been underachieving for the
last year of Jol's reign and although he did some outstanding
things he seemed to stall slightly. As soon as Ramos came in there
was a huge improvement in Lennon's game. Didier Zokora is a
strange one because he was brought in as a defensive midfielder a
couple of seasons ago and hasn't really justified that tag. But
recently he's been playing centre half and he's done
brilliantly. He has made a real difference. I wouldn't say
anyone has particularly fallen out of favour but there seems to be
certain players like Jamie O'Hara who have come through,
perhaps at the expense of players like Teemu Tainio and Tom
Huddlestone, who haven't had the game time they might have
liked."
TALKING TACTICS
"Ramos hasn't come up against Wenger in the Premier League
but he has come up against him in the Champions League and he
didn't come off too well, losing 3-0 with Sevilla. But if you
compare Jol and Ramos, Jol had definite qualities and was an
excellent manager for Tottenham but Ramos is more proactive and you
know that if Arsenal take the lead Ramos isn't just going to
stick with the same approach. He can switch things and ironically
for a man who speaks little English he gets his message across very
well."
