Ramos facing more work
Jermain Defoe had an opportunity to win this London derby with a last-minute penalty, but he was denied by an impressive save by West Ham’s Robert Green, and Spurs remain just two points above the relegation zone.
In truth, a victory would only have covered up the fact that this side remain a far cry from the footballing model Ramos is trying to build.
Ramos’ former side Seville are a technically talented outfit. He has been in charge of Tottenham for less than a month, but achieving that level of proficiency is also the aim at White Hart Lane.
One man who needs particular help in fitting the bill is Younes Kaboul. Tottenham’s French defender does not seem to have come to terms with English football since his €10.5million move from Auxerre in the summer.
It was his mistake that led to West Ham’s opening goal. He dithered on the ball in his own half, and Luis Boa Morte quickly closed him down. The ball was fed to midfielder Nolberto Solano on the edge of the area, and the Peruvian showed great composure to square for Carlton Cole, who slotted home.
Thankfully for the visitors, they were able to pull level in the second half as Michael Dawson beat Green to the ball and flicked a header into the net.
But Defoe’s miss, Kaboul’s mistake, and an otherwise unconvincing Spurs display, will leave Ramos with many questions on his mind.
“We had the possibility to score that second goal, which we didn’t do,” said Ramos. “We have to be happy with the draw but we feel as if we’ve lost vital points.
“The form of players changes over the course of a season,” he said of Kaboul. “The manager has to make the decision of who plays when.
“The first goal was disappointing. It was a mistake and it gave an advantage to West Ham and, obviously, when you let in goals that are unnecessary it makes it hard to win the match. But we have injuries to Ledley King, Anthony Gardner and Ricardo Rocha, so we have to use the players who are at our disposal.”
Yet, for all Spurs’ inadequacies, it is the performance of referee Mike Riley that will be discussed.
On 40 minutes the official decided not to award Robbie Keane a penalty, as he hooked the ball over Green and fell to the ground. Green’s trailing leg appeared to catch the Ireland forward though Riley was not convinced.
He could not resist a claim from substitute Defoe in the final minute, however. The Englishman went down easily, as Lucas Neill made a challenge near the by-line. Riley pointed to the spot.
“It was a last minute thing again,” said West Ham manager Alan Curbishley. “We dropped two points against Bolton in the 93rd minute. Where that felt like a defeat, this felt like a win. It would have been harsh if we’d been done in the last minute. You live and die by the referee’s decisions.”
It was Green’s third penalty save of the season. Bizarrely, from 271 appearances, he had never saved a spot-kick before this campaign.
Admittedly, he had been at fault for Dawson’s equaliser. He shouldn’t have been caught out trying to claim a Jermaine Jenas free. However, he showed fantastic character to make his last-minute stop.
Paul Robinson was in goal at the opposite end after a difficult week, in which he was dropped for England’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.
Green will surely feel he is now making a claim to challenge Robinson, Scott Carson and David James as the country’s number one.
“Greeny redeemed himself for the first goal,” Curbishley added. “If you come out, you’ve got to get it. But what he did at the end of the game made up for it. He’s been playing well all season and all he can do is keep playing well and hope the manager sees it and gives him another go.
“In fairness, I thought Robinson made some good saves. Everybody who’s English has come under even more pressure this week. The only way the players can answer is it is to do what Steven Gerrard did. Take the disappointment and get on with it.”
That may be tough for Spurs striker Defoe, as the former West Ham forward will surely face more time on the substitutes bench. He has just three goals to his name this season, and they have all come in the Uefa Cup.
Green and Robinson may be building their confidence, but Defoe, it seems, has a long journey ahead.
“Jermain is, logically, a little bit upset. But these things happen in football,” Ramos said. “You just have to get on with it.”
Green 8, Neill 7, Gabbidon 7, Upson 7, McCartney 6, Solano 7 (Spector 82, 5), Mullins 7, Noble 6 (Parker 62, 6), Etherington 6, Cole 7, Boa Morte 7 (Ashton 72, 6).
Subs Not Used: Wright, Collins.
Robinson 6, Chimbonda 6, Dawson 6, Kaboul 5 (Bent 54, 6), Bale 6; Lennon 6, Jenas 7, Zokora 6, Malbranque 5, Berbatov 6, Keane 6 (Defoe 77, 4).
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Lee, Boateng.
Mike Riley (Leeds) 5:
His decision not to award Tottenham a first half penalty for the foul on Keane could be understood, but his choice to punish Lucas Neill for a last minute challenge in the area on Defoe was very questionable.
**** This was a typical London derby. Plenty of passion and commitment was shown, on and off the field, but to add to the occasion there was also a brilliantly worked opening goal, and two controversial decisions.
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