Fitness Issue

With the number of points lost to injury time goals, it is not surprising that one of Ramos' first steps as new manager was to bring his fitness coach from Sevilla and to instill two-a-days.

There was every indication that conditioning was a problem with Spurs. Recall Hossam Ghaly's failed transfer to Birmingham. Bruce sent him back to Tottenham and cancelled the transfer after the Egyptian refused to do basic fitness training.

Consider how Mido, Huddlestone and Reid have all had such a hard time keeping off weight. In a top flight club, players should not have the chance to get out of shape.

One further point also needs to be made. Spurs players are too injury prone. Certainly much is made of the Premier League's packed schedule. Yet, it is also true that injuries follow a lack of fitness. Players in peak physical condition are less likely to break down. This includes strength training in addition to cardiovascular conditioning.

If there is one immediate impact that Ramos may have on the team, it is with discipline and fitness. Sometimes matches are won and lost in the last five minutes. Tottenham have been consistently losing those matches. These first few practices may seem grueling to Spurs players, but they'll be grateful for them at the end of the season.