Carling Cup QF - Tottenham 2 Blackpool 0
Tottenham started the Juande Ramos era by reaching the at the expense of Blackpool - but the new boss was shown how tough his new job will be despite the 2-0 win.
On the face of it they are two matches from Wembley, although their opponents from the Championship caused trouble for Spurs' defence at times, setting off the panic that has undermined their season.
It took Robbie Keane's opener in the 18th minute to settle the nerves of the home fans - Ramos maintained his `granite mask' and merely pointed to Paul Robinson who had helped create the goal.
The Spaniard punched the air when Pascal Chimbonda added a second in the second half after Blackpool had hit the bar, and they would have been level but for Robinson's agility in goal for Spurs.
The rest of the time Ramos gestured as his side lost the ball cheaply and struggled to play their way out of trouble against a side that was playing in League One last season.
Tougher times await for Ramos, starting with the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League. Their aim, of course, is to reach the Champions League, not to set up a rematch with the Seasiders next season.
Ramos picked a full-strength team to have a proper look at what he has on his hands, and it took less than a minute for him to start stalking his technical area, pointing instruction to a defence that looked short on confidence.
Blackpool, 20th in their division, sensed their opportunity and started with pace, and only Younes Kaboul's block prevented Robinson being called into action after Keigan Parker was sent down the right channel.
Parker then set up a great chance after Keane lost the ball in midfield, only for David Fox to fire into the sidenetting.
Keane has been the only player full of confidence during Spurs' dismal start the season, and it was no surprise that it was the Republic of Ireland striker who opened the scoring, his 24th in his last 31 games.
For all the talk of Ramos bringing stylish football with him from Sevilla, the first goal of his time at White Hart Lane was route-one.
Keane clipped over goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from Dimitar Berbatov's flick-on. Ramos barely flinched, merely pointing at Robinson, whose long punt had set up the opener.
Keane had scored the first goal of the Martin Jol era three years ago and he did the same for Ramos, although his team-mates did not immediately capitalise on the breakthrough.
Spurs were restricted to long-range efforts before the break, then Blackpool started the second half looking to rattle the hosts.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header from Parker's cross within two minutes of the restart.
Keane should have added a second when he raced through and chipped wide and he was nearly made to rue his miss as Robinson somehow flung himself to keep out Taylor-Fletcher's next effort, which was headed for the top corner.
Robinson was also guilty of a fumble and poor kicking, suggesting his jitters from earlier in the season have not entirely disappeared.
Just as the visitors were gaining momentum, Chimbonda headed in Spurs' second.
Steed Malbranque's corner found the full-back unmarked at the far post and the France international thudded home his header.
Jermain Defoe came on for Keane after the hour mark and almost scored with his first touch, only for Rachubka to tip over the crossbar.
Ramos also looked at Darren Bent off the bench as well as Teemu Tainio at right-back after taking off Kaboul, suggesting there will be changes before long.
At least Spurs have the winning feeling again after six games without victory prior to the clash.
Ramos recognises need for improvement
Juande Ramos admitted there was plenty of room for improvement throughout the squad after marking his first game in charge of Tottenham with an unconvincing Carling Cup victory over Blackpool.
'I would say the team needs to improve in all areas, in attack and defence, but this is a team of great professionals and I hope it will improve quickly,'' Ramos said.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header in the second half and also forced a fine save from Paul Robinson.
Ramos still saw enough to give him encouragement ahead of the clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs will look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League.
'The most important thing was the victory,'' the Spaniard added. 'The team's played well generally, they had spells of good football. We have to look forward to the next round.
'On the positive side they've shown great willingness to play and fought very hard, physically it was very hard because it was three days since the last game. The negative side was the chances Blackpool had.''
Younes Kaboul was guilty of mistakes at the back and may have been punished against tougher opposition than a side 20th in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The young French centre-back did not even acknowledge Ramos when he was taken off in the second half. Dimitar Berbatov also came off but did not give his manager a warm greeting, while Keane embraced the new man.
Ramos explained that Kaboul's substitution was a precaution.
'The change was simply because Kaboul had a yellow card - Chimbonda can play at centre-back,'' Ramos said.
Ramos' first win means he is now two ties from Wembley but admitted the need for victory forced him to pick his strongest team.
'It was very important to get the victory, to calm the team down a bit,'' he said. 'To get a result tonight was vital.''
Blackpool boss Simon Grayson was introduced to Ramos before the game as his side were staying in the same Waltham Abbey hotel.
'Full credit for him that he came to speak to me at the hotel,'' said Grayson. 'His English was fine but he didn't say he had a big fry-up or anything.''
Grayson felt his side missed their opportunities at key times of the game.
'We had opportunities to get in front or to get back in the game,'' he added. 'But we didn't take them. We gave a good account of ourselves but they took their chances.'
On the face of it they are two matches from Wembley, although their opponents from the Championship caused trouble for Spurs' defence at times, setting off the panic that has undermined their season.
It took Robbie Keane's opener in the 18th minute to settle the nerves of the home fans - Ramos maintained his `granite mask' and merely pointed to Paul Robinson who had helped create the goal.
The Spaniard punched the air when Pascal Chimbonda added a second in the second half after Blackpool had hit the bar, and they would have been level but for Robinson's agility in goal for Spurs.
The rest of the time Ramos gestured as his side lost the ball cheaply and struggled to play their way out of trouble against a side that was playing in League One last season.
Tougher times await for Ramos, starting with the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League. Their aim, of course, is to reach the Champions League, not to set up a rematch with the Seasiders next season.
Ramos picked a full-strength team to have a proper look at what he has on his hands, and it took less than a minute for him to start stalking his technical area, pointing instruction to a defence that looked short on confidence.
Blackpool, 20th in their division, sensed their opportunity and started with pace, and only Younes Kaboul's block prevented Robinson being called into action after Keigan Parker was sent down the right channel.
Parker then set up a great chance after Keane lost the ball in midfield, only for David Fox to fire into the sidenetting.
Keane has been the only player full of confidence during Spurs' dismal start the season, and it was no surprise that it was the Republic of Ireland striker who opened the scoring, his 24th in his last 31 games.
For all the talk of Ramos bringing stylish football with him from Sevilla, the first goal of his time at White Hart Lane was route-one.
Keane clipped over goalkeeper Paul Rachubka from Dimitar Berbatov's flick-on. Ramos barely flinched, merely pointing at Robinson, whose long punt had set up the opener.
Keane had scored the first goal of the Martin Jol era three years ago and he did the same for Ramos, although his team-mates did not immediately capitalise on the breakthrough.
Spurs were restricted to long-range efforts before the break, then Blackpool started the second half looking to rattle the hosts.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header from Parker's cross within two minutes of the restart.
Keane should have added a second when he raced through and chipped wide and he was nearly made to rue his miss as Robinson somehow flung himself to keep out Taylor-Fletcher's next effort, which was headed for the top corner.
Robinson was also guilty of a fumble and poor kicking, suggesting his jitters from earlier in the season have not entirely disappeared.
Just as the visitors were gaining momentum, Chimbonda headed in Spurs' second.
Steed Malbranque's corner found the full-back unmarked at the far post and the France international thudded home his header.
Jermain Defoe came on for Keane after the hour mark and almost scored with his first touch, only for Rachubka to tip over the crossbar.
Ramos also looked at Darren Bent off the bench as well as Teemu Tainio at right-back after taking off Kaboul, suggesting there will be changes before long.
At least Spurs have the winning feeling again after six games without victory prior to the clash.
Ramos recognises need for improvement
Juande Ramos admitted there was plenty of room for improvement throughout the squad after marking his first game in charge of Tottenham with an unconvincing Carling Cup victory over Blackpool.
'I would say the team needs to improve in all areas, in attack and defence, but this is a team of great professionals and I hope it will improve quickly,'' Ramos said.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher smacked the crossbar with a header in the second half and also forced a fine save from Paul Robinson.
Ramos still saw enough to give him encouragement ahead of the clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday when Spurs will look to climb out of the bottom three of the Premier League.
'The most important thing was the victory,'' the Spaniard added. 'The team's played well generally, they had spells of good football. We have to look forward to the next round.
'On the positive side they've shown great willingness to play and fought very hard, physically it was very hard because it was three days since the last game. The negative side was the chances Blackpool had.''
Younes Kaboul was guilty of mistakes at the back and may have been punished against tougher opposition than a side 20th in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The young French centre-back did not even acknowledge Ramos when he was taken off in the second half. Dimitar Berbatov also came off but did not give his manager a warm greeting, while Keane embraced the new man.
Ramos explained that Kaboul's substitution was a precaution.
'The change was simply because Kaboul had a yellow card - Chimbonda can play at centre-back,'' Ramos said.
Ramos' first win means he is now two ties from Wembley but admitted the need for victory forced him to pick his strongest team.
'It was very important to get the victory, to calm the team down a bit,'' he said. 'To get a result tonight was vital.''
Blackpool boss Simon Grayson was introduced to Ramos before the game as his side were staying in the same Waltham Abbey hotel.
'Full credit for him that he came to speak to me at the hotel,'' said Grayson. 'His English was fine but he didn't say he had a big fry-up or anything.''
Grayson felt his side missed their opportunities at key times of the game.
'We had opportunities to get in front or to get back in the game,'' he added. 'But we didn't take them. We gave a good account of ourselves but they took their chances.'
posted by dgarden at 1:58 pm
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