I meant that He was quite an arrogant person while coaching Sevilla (despite of being a very good manager), so that's the only "point" where this tittle is not good for him...

First things first: many thanks to you guys congratulating us for this tremendous and thoroughly deserved Cup final victory

I had a great day yesterday – scored a brilliant volley in a 4-1 Sunday league win, and then went to a packed bar to watch our boys deal with Chelsea. I don’t remember too much after that, but it’s all good!!

This is a victory for entertaining football. Forget all that rubbish about Avram Grant’s Chelsea showing more flair and attacking instinct; they were dire. Devoid of any real commitment to win the match, they adopted a safety first approach whose main aim was not to lose. Spurs on the other hand showed more ambition, took more risks and were intent on winning - thankfully it paid off.
This positive attitude to playing football symbolises the ethos of the club: Audere Est Facere - To Dare Is To Do.

The best managers can make an impression on the match, both before and during it.. In this sense, Ramos defeated Grant hands down. The non selection of Joe Cole and Michael Ballack I found completely baffling, and Nicholas Anelka is not a winger. When Grant decided to take off Michael Essien, that pretty much summed up his day for me; it was a daft move. For our first XI, I personally would have chosen Cerny over Robinson, but his crucial save from Kalou at the death justified his selection, although he was at fault for Drogba’s free kick and flapped at a couple of crosses (we will definitely bring in a new keeper, for sure). But overall Ramos was the clear winner in the tactical battle. His changes after the break shifted the balance of the match and gave us the impetus to drive forward, putting Chelsea firmly on the back foot. Grant didn’t know how to react, and when he did, it was too late. Jose Mourinho would have seen the danger coming but Grant just looked on as the game passed him by. In fact, the extra time team talk was performed by Steve Clarke and John Terry – Grant just watched on passively.

There were several excellent performances by us, but for me the two centre backs stood out. Woodgate and King nullfied the considerable threat of Drogba and Anelka, and this gave us the security to push forward. Berbatov was calmness personified in taking that penalty - I thought he would miss, as it's just typical Spurs to mess things up like that. We got lucky with Woodgate's header but when you add up the amount of clear chances both sides had, I reckon we deserved that luck. We outplayed them.

Grant's post match comments were embarrassing. Firstly he suggested that the linesman cannot give the handball, then he questions the referee for blowing the final whistle just as Kalou was about to shoot. What he forgets is that the Halsey played an extra minute of added on time in extra time i.e. he should have blown the whistle well before that. Kalou’s shot hit the post anyway, so there was nothing to claim for. Chelsea’s reaction at the end should be looked at by the FA. The likes of Terry and Drogba harassing and chasing referees when things don’t go their way sums up what a bunch of spoilt, arrogant bad losers they are. Well done to Joe Cole though; he was very congratulating of Spurs and was philosophical on not starting the game. I feel sorry for him because only played the last 20 minutes despite being their best player for the last few weeks.

What does the future hold for us? Who knows. More moments like this I sincerely hope. But now people will appreciate why Daniel Levy was 100% right to axe Martin Jol and bring in Juande Ramos. This guy is the Real Deal. To win the League Cup within first few months in charge is incredible. But I’m not going to get carried away. I’m not expecting us to win the UEFA Cup but it would be very welcome if we did. For next season, 4th place is the clear target.

There’s still a lot of work to be done and Ramos knows it. But for now, I’m happy to be drunk (literally!) in the ecstasy of winning at Wembley, just like in the Glory Glory days.

COME ON YOU Spurs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good post Johaldo.

Particularly the comment about Essien being taken off. That was a sham.

I retract my comments about Jol and stability. Although Jol was a good Manager, Ramos seems to have a special quality that you can't ignore. If he sticks by Spurs long enough to give them stability though, I don't know. He is a foreign Manager who will attract many big Clubs for his signature no matter how well or poorly he goes on to do at Spurs.

Great start though.

I agree Jol had to go , and Levy has been proved right in his pursuit of Ramos, it was the way he went about it that made us look bad . Lets hope this is a sign of things to come , stability and a few players that Ramos wants in the summer , a full pre - season under his new methods and you never know we might , just might , be able to make that leap into the the top 4 . I think the part that Poyet has played in all this has not been mentioned . When Levy got him i thought " WTF is he doing " but i now have to agree Levy was right on 2 counts .

This is where I would be worried if I was a Spurs fan (thank God I'm not though ). He hasn't stayed with one club longer than 3 years I believe. And has shown he's willing to leave a good club (Sevilla) for a different opportunity/challenge.

Cheers, J

For me personally, Michael Essien is the best footballer in the Premiership. His quality is undeniable, his energy is unlimited and his versatility is so useful. He can play virtually anywhere and can adapt to any situation i.e. I would only take him off if he was injured so badly that he needed to come off. I was happy as larry when I saw his number come up from the fourth official.

Good point about the vultures sniffing after Ramos. That's why it's imperative that we get the stadium redeveloped and secure Champions' League football as soon as possible so he can fulfil his dreams with us.

He left a team that was already in the Champions League. Granted Arsenal gave him a sour taste in his mouth after the first match.

So for Tottenham to add more seats to the stadium and getting a CL spot doesn't secure much in terms of Ramos.

How much is he getting paid now compared to his days at Sevilla? Anyone know? Or maybe he's one that gets bored quickly and looks for new challenges?

Yes I know he left Sevilla when they were in the Champions' League, but maybe he thinks Spurs are a bigger club than Sevilla? The money helped too, no doubt. Hopefully he feels that he can achieve he wants to at White Hart Lane.

I'm not bothered about any of this anyway..I'm just happy to drink Heineken whilst enjoying the Cup win and looking onwards and upwards to a bright future

You've got a full year of partying ahead of you. That cup is yours for at least a year.

meh. cba reading all the pages to this thread. i've left it too late

all i can say is that i was cheering on Spurs like i was a life-long fan
really happy that they won it.
i think i said earlier in this thread somewhere i wanted them to win it because it'd be nice to see someone else win something.
well done to Spurs anyway, partyyyyy on

Nice post there Joey - I agree with all of the points you make.

On the subject of the commitment of Ramos: As far as I know it's always been a huge ambition of his to manage in the English Premier League. It doesn't look likely that any of the 'top 4' will be changing their manager any time soon and even if they were, Ramos wouldn't necessarily be considered to replace any of them. So, when an offer came in from a club which has the potential to grow and challenge the biggest clubs in England, he must've thought it an ideal opportunity, and one which doesn't come along too often. Let's not forget that he's not the youngest of managers and if he's to achieve his goals in English football then there's no time like the present to get started.

It's highly likely that some big clubs from various countries will be in pursuit of his services at some point; I just hope that he's happy in London, happy to be managing Spurs and that he sees this as a long-term project.

John Terry:

alright i haven't read any of the other posts (too numerous) but i want to throw my two pennies in.
first of all i want to say congrats to Spurs even though i was gutted.They caught Chelsea at the right time i reckon two "big" players coming back into he squad after lengthy lay offs was a major factor,which i will discuss.

reasons why Spurs won.
1.Spurs played an excellent game even though desperate at the end.

2.Chelsea do not have the chemistry at the moment Terry & lampard coming back was a huge factor.lampard should have been on the bench after such a long lay off,and replaced by malouda.Malouda in that game would have had a different outcome.I just hope he's injured and it wasn't a technical decision or else avram has his first major blunder under him.

3.Anelka should have been subbed in the second half.I love him ,think he's a great player ,but in a big game and still trying to find the natural links between your teammates does not work.

4.I think a fresher drogba essien and kalou would ahve made a lot of difference also.Drogba started slow but soon got back to his ragdolling way's.

all in all an exciting game that had me on the edge of my seat.How many times have we seen Spurs be in the ame position and thrown away the agme.That classic v man city comes to mind.There is no doubt that
ramos is for real finding success so soon in the prem is no joke.And Spurs can now hav esome belief nad take Liverpools spot at 4th down the road.

First of all Congratulation to Spurs and Ramos.

Ramos is a cup man. He likes cup competition very much his tactics are absolutely spot ON.

Watching the Spurs Legend Robbie Keane in Tears after the full time of ET was a priceless moment of the match that legend waited a lot for a trophy and he got one.

When Ramos brought Woodgate in the team everyone was saying that he was injury prone player he spend most of his time on bench. Now he has injured the Chelsea and proved all the critics wrong and formed a solid partnership with another Spurs legend King.

Spurs always been my second team although i support Manchester United.

One more thing i want to tell you its a coincident. This year can be much more similar to 1999 (Of cource i am thinking like this because I am a Red Devil )

In 1999 : 1. Spurs Won the League Cup
2. Liverpool were out of top 4
3. Biggest of all United Won Treble

In 2008 : 1. Spurs Won the League Cup
2. Liverpool are out of top 4 and i hope they will remain out of top 4.
3. I am hoping to witness United winning the Treble.

Further to what Johaldo said about the congrats from everybody, I'd like to say cheers too - some decent stuff being commented on and having waited so long for some silverware, it is much appreciated.
It was strange at work yesterday as quite literally everyone said they were cheering on Spurs and congratulating...its nice to see the big 4 monopoly on all the trophies be broken.





Too true mate, it has been a long time coming so can't blame them really!


Ahh come on CFC, we have had 7, 8, 9 pages of discussion over what was a great win, and you have to go and drag Steely into it.

Maybe so - but I guess many managers have such a trait, maybe its confidence being perceived as arrogance? It might be what sets good managers apart from the rest.

Why is everyone so obsessed with Spurs getting fourth spot?

All i seem to read is wow Spurs have won a trophy and are getting better, maybe they can get the biggest prize of all, the magical 4th spot!

damn you!

ive been nothing but complimentary in this thread!

yid b*stard

Tottenham to parade Carling cup to fans before game against PSV on 6th March.

I did say congratz in another thread but thats locked and dead now....

Congratz to Spurs on their great and well deserved win.

Didn't watch much though as I only got home at half time from the night before.

Is this one Lucky guy!

http://www.Spurspies.tv/2008/02/see_Spurs_pies_meet_the_totten.html