Tense Tottenham ‘need to change’

JUANDE RAMOS’ description of Tottenham’s clash against Bolton as a match of “big tension” extends to his own dressing room following a week of more unrest during their miserable start to the campaign.

Ramos has overseen Spurs’ worst start to a season in their history and even victory tomorrow at White Hart Lane would not lift them off the foot of the Premier League.

The Spaniard can add ‘injury crisis’ to his list of problems, as well as one of his own players admitting they had little idea of what they were doing when the season started.

Then, after UEFA Cup defeat to Udinese, Jonathan Woodgate branded his teammates “unprofessional” and compared Spurs’ plight to the situation that faced Leeds when they were in freefall.

“Bolton is a game with big tension on the pitch because we need to win,” said head coach Ramos.

“We need to try to win and I need to change things to find the solution.

“It is a very important game for us now. If we can get the three points, then we will reduce the distance between the teams.”

Ramos will make late checks on Woodgate (groin), Vedran Corluka (head) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (ankle) before facing Bolton, while Ledley King played against Udinese so his knee is unlikely to recover in time.

Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson are suspended, so Ramos is expected to be short in defence.

He could recall David Bentley, who was not in the squad for the Udinese defeat, which came 24 hours after an outspoken assessment of Spurs’ hapless start to the season.

Luka Modric, who was on the bench against Udinese, said: “I was disappointed with being on the bench but it was the manager’s decision which I respect.

“I tried my best when I came on but I was all alone in the middle.”