Knockout king Ramos out to end Spurs’ cup drought

JUANDE RAMOS has won three trophies in the last two years and is now intent on ending Tottenham’s drought by finally defeating Arsenal.

The Spaniard has a taste for knockout glory and brought a Copa del Rey and back-to-back UEFA Cups to Sevilla before leaving for London.

“What we really want is to do everything possible to reach a final because it’s a long time since we’ve done it,” said the Spurs head coach.

“We’re professional players and want to win everything possible for Tottenham.

“I want to carry on getting through. Every team is different but the most important thing is getting through, to get to final stages and see how likely it is that we can win something.”

Skipper Ledley King, who was injured for last season’s semi-final defeat to Arsenal, said: “We have learnt a lot from last season’s disappointment and we will be stronger this time around.

“It’s in our hands and we will have the second leg at White Hart Lane this time so hopefully we can set it up nicely in the first leg.”

King’s return from knee surgery is expected to help tighten a defence short on confidence. Centre-back partner Michael Dawson said: “We’ve worked on our defending. We’ve taken a lot of criticism and, from a personal point of view, nobody likes that. But the only way you shut people up is to put in good performances and keep clean sheets.”

Two legs against Arsenal will be part of a hectic schedule, which sees Spurs will play five games in 14 days, but assistant boss Gus Poyet said: “I liked it as a player. I wanted to play, that was why you are here — not just to train and run.”