Europe a haven from domestic turmoil?

Columnist Mark Tilley on his hopes for the crunch tie in Krakow

If there's one thing that can console the most suffering of all Tottenham fans, it's a European night. Throughout the stuttering starts of the last few seasons, the early UEFA Cup games generally are a great release for fans and players alike. So, as Juande Ramos takes his battle hardened troops to Poland for the second leg against Wisla Krakow with a slim advantage, should Spurs fans be expecting triumph? And what could and should befall Ramos if the worst happens?

Recent rumblings in the media point to Ramos being on the edge of the managerial comfort zone, or at least dangerously close to it. The disenchanted cries from Tottenham fans at Portsmouth (they chanted 'you don't know what you're doing' towards the Spurs bench) on Sunday do indicate a growing lack of faith in the Spaniard. The main concerns are his apparent inability to settle on a best eleven. His insistence on playing just the one striker continues to baffle as it is crystal clear that neither Darren Bent or Roman Pavyluchenko are capable of playing in such an isolated role.

Both strikers also appear to be suffering from a lack of confidence - one assumes that this will subside with a goal or two but time isn't on their side. Also, Ramos appears to have little or no faith in Frazier Campbell, the last minute makeweight in the Berbatov transfer fiasco. Campbell came on to good effect in the first leg and set up Darren Bent's winner but has been sparsely used by Ramos. Surely two of these three strikers should be played in unison?

With consistency being something of a buzz word in sport these days, one could point an accusatory finger at Ramos. Much like fellow Spanish boss Rafael Benitez, Ramos has chopped and changed his team all season to the point where no team selection has played more than one game consecutively. Ledley King's ongoing injury concerns do allow for some leniency but the continuous rotation of the full backs is a mystery. One game it could be Benoit Assou Ekotto on the left, the next it could be Gareth Bale. One game Vedran Corluka could line up on the right, only to have Chris Gunter playing the next match.

Another large concern with fans is the apparent prioritisation of the UEFA Cup by Ramos and the Tottenham coaching staff. Key players have been rested for important Premier League games with the full intention of playing them in Europe. Ledley King was not played at Portsmouth yet is likely to lead the team out in Krakow on Thursday. Whilst trying to win a continental competition is very admirable - Spurs appear the best qualified to do it out of England's other UEFA Cup representatives - nine out of ten fans would prefer progress in the league.

Surely the financial gains and the appeal of confirming our status as the fifth best team in England are more motivating? Given the choice, most fans would probably want to avoid the ignominy of seeing Tottenham neatly sandwiched in the middle of the table alongside the likes of West Ham and Middlesbrough. If Ramos really wants to win the UEFA Cup, as he did twice with Sevilla, then fine. But neglecting the Premiership to appease this plan would be a fatal mistake.

For the time being Ramos is under the spotlight. Tottenham should beat Wisla Krakow - they hold a two one advantage and Wisla's away goal shouldn't really pose a problem as Tottenham should be able to outplay them. But taking their eye off the ball and messing it up could mean disaster for these beleaguered players. Not to mention their coach.

(article for www.tottenhamhotspur-mad.co.uk)