Paul Robinson has been dropped from today's final Euro 2008 qualifier against group leaders Croatia. While it seems this is a poor time to make such a move, the Telegraph reported that the Spurs keeper performed abysmally in training leading up to today's match. This is an issue that continues to plague Tottenham.
Before Ramos' arrival, Spurs players lacked fitness under Martin Jol and suffered many late game collapses. Upon taking charge, Ramos started two-a-day training sessions and recently brought in a club dietician.
But there may be a deeper issue here beyond fitness. Training is about more than just running and doing drills. It is the time to improve skills and learn. It is also the time to develop a team understanding of how to respond in pressure situations. The effort a team exerts in training carries over into match day. If a club does not take training seriously, they do not develop consistent habits and teamwork leading to mistakes and poor decisions in matches.
Robinson's error-filled session on Monday reflects several years of Spurs' lackadaisical approach to training. Defoe once skipped a team meeting to watch the latest episode of Big Brother and joked about it afterwards - and this was a player fighting for a first team place. Ghaly was so uncommitted to training at Birmingham that his transfer was canceled after only one day.
It is the manager that sets the tone for a club. He sets the standard for team conduct and must demand the highest standards from his players. Jol does not appear to have sufficiently demanded hard work and commitment from his squad.
Training is also where the manager develops player skills and this also suffered under the Dutchman. Jol's helpless admission, "I am sh**ting myself every time someone has a corner against us," underscored his inability to improve the club's match preparation. But more importantly, individual players did not develop under Jol. Lennon never learned to cross the ball. Huddlestone did not become a strong tackler. Jenas did not learn how to control the midfield. Left-sided midfielders always played out of position. The defence did not learn to work together. Leaders did not emerge. There are many young players with considerable talent at Spurs, yet they have not improved under Jol.
Despite all the criticism leveled at the board for the clumsy way they handled Jol's firing, it was a move that needed to be made. There is a core group of promising young players at Tottenham. The only way they will reach their potential, and for the club to achieve Champions League football, is through strong leadership and a commitment to player development.
Robinson's recent demotion in the England squad suggests that some players have yet to shed poor training habits. Ramos has a very good record of player development, turning Alves into a world class player and getting the most out of Kanoute and Baptista. Let's hope for Robinson and the rest of our young team that the Spaniard is able to instill the commitment and intensity needed for Spurs to reach their tremendous potential.
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