Ramos backs Berbatov
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos predicted a happy outcome to the debate over unsettled striker Dimitar Berbatov after the Bulgarian inspired his side to a 4-0 victory over Wigan.
Whether the Bulgarian loves Spurs - as he claimed via the club's official website in the run-up to Sunday's game - or wants to leave is a subject that had been intensely debated by the White Hart Lane faithful over the past few weeks.
But the forward's performance in this four-goal demolition of managerless Wigan, who remain in the Premier League relegation zone, was enough for the Spaniard to suggest there would be more to come, although Spurs' position at the end of the season is likely to determine for how long.
"He played exceptionally today, the same as the team," said Ramos after his side rose from 17th to the relative safety of 14th. "Even though he didn't score he played very well.
"He said he wanted to stay. Obviously he is a player who, when the team is winning, is going to be happy and want to stay. At the end of the season he will make a decision and hopefully he will stay."
Ramos was also impressed with his defence. He made improving the back four his first job at the London club and is reaping the rewards.
"We are happy with the scoreline but the thing I'm more happy with is three of the four matches since I've been here have been clean sheets," Ramos said.
"Once you get that clean sheet, players play much better and have more confidence.
"I can't give an opinion of Spurs before I arrived because I didn't see those matches - but my opinion is that a team needs to be attacking well but you need to do well defensively for solidity."
Jermaine Jenas netted the first two goals, a 13th-minute tap-in following some skill by Robbie Keane on the by-line and a solo effort after an off-side trap had been sprung 13 minutes later, with the midfielder celebrating with a swinging arm motion to mark the birth of a baby daughter.
Berbatov set up the third in the 35th minute after goalkeeper Paul Robinson's punt down-field was mis-judged by Kevin Kilbane. Berbatov latched on to the ball and set up Aaron Lennon to beat Chris Kirkland from the edge of the box.
Jenas scuffed a hat-trick chance wide before the break and had a second-half effort ruled out for offside but Wigan were to be breached once more.
Darren Bent came on for Keane to make his 200th appearance and, after Kirkland had done well to keep out another Lennon drive, the made it 4-0 in the 72nd minute by finishing a slick move involving Berbatov and Jenas.
Kirkland pulled off a fine save to deny Didier Zokora and then tipped a Berbatov drive on to a post, with Bent hitting the bar from the rebound.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan missed the rout as he was away in Barbados but the result will have done little to encourage coaches of distinction to post off their applications.
Caretaker manager Frank Barlow, who made it clear he did not want the job, had been timid in his 4-5-1 formation and it was not until the 85th minute that Wigan managed a shot on target.
"They have got to look for an established manager," Barlow said. "The chairman knows what he is looking for and you have just got to leave it to him."
The softly-spoken coach also confirmed some "home truths" had been delivered in the dressing room afterwards. "We should apologise to our supporters for the first 45 minutes," he said.
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