By Chris Burton Last updated: 2nd September 2008
Ramos: Disruptive summer
Tottenham manager Juande Ramos feels the transfer window should end at the start of the season.
Having seen Dimitar Berbatov's protracted move to Manchester United overshadow events at White Hart Lane all summer, the Spurs boss has called for a change in the transfer rules.
The Spaniard previously claimed the speculation surrounding his former striker was affecting the mood around the club and proving detrimental to performances on the field.
The Bulgarian finally departed for Old Trafford on transfer deadline day, in a £30.75million deal, but Ramos believes the distracting saga could have been avoided.
"The league started on 16th August, but the window does not shut until 1st September," he said.
"You play three games before it shuts while players are uncertain where they are going to be playing and team-mates are thinking which players will go and who will come in.
"That means they are not fully concentrated on their work.
"I would prefer it that, once the league has started, you don't have a player playing for one team one week and playing for another the next."
Ramos also believes measures need to be put in place to prevent sides from publicly tracking players and disrupting their focus.
United had made no secret of their desire to sign Berbatov during pre-season, a situation Spurs believe could have been handled better.
"I try and stick with training the football team but it's true the situation has certainly been uncomfortable," added Ramos.
"In Spain, it is basically the same system as in England.
"If you look at Robinho's situation with Real Madrid, it's quite similar. A few weeks ago it was Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United.
"That is the issue with the market still being open while the player is negotiating his future - but also having to play for his current team. I do not like that system."
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 10th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aston Villa vs West Brom |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Bolton |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Hull |
| 15:00 | Fulham vs Blackburn |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sunderland |
| 15:00 | Newcastle vs West Ham |
| 15:00 | Portsmouth vs Man City |
| 17:30 | Stoke vs Liverpool |
| Sunday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | Wigan vs Tottenham |
| 16:00 | Man Utd vs Chelsea |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Wigan |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Blackburn vs Newcastle |
| 15:00 | Bolton vs Man Utd |
| 15:00 | Chelsea vs Stoke |
| 15:00 | Man City vs Wigan |
| 15:00 | Sunderland vs Aston Villa |
| 15:00 | West Brom vs Middlesbrough |
| 17:30 | Hull vs Arsenal |
| Sunday 18th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 13:30 | West Ham vs Fulham |
| 16:00 | Tottenham vs Portsmouth |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Tuesday 30th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 29th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Sunday 28th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 2 Man City | |
| Fulham 2 - 2 Chelsea | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Stoke | |
| Everton 3 - 0 Sunderland | |
| Arsenal 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| West Brom 2 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Bolton 0 - 1 Wigan | |
| Newcastle 1 - 5 Liverpool | |
| Friday 26th December | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 2 - 2 Arsenal | |
| Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton | |
| Wigan 2 - 1 Newcastle | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Everton | |
| Man City 5 - 1 Hull | |
| Sunderland 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Portsmouth 1 - 4 West Ham | |
| Tottenham 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 West Brom | |
| Stoke 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
Ed Chamberlin sees United and Chelsea cancelling each other out on Sunday, while racing feels the freeze.
Paul Merson expects strugglers West Brom and Spurs to lose to Aston Villa and Wigan this weekend.
Nigel Clough's appointment as Derby manager sees him follow in the footsteps of his legendary father Brian.
Paul Ince has told Sky Sports News he is disappointed he did not receive the public backing of Blackburn.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists Stewart Downing should be aiming higher than Tottenham.
Gareth Southgate says Stewart Downing should aim higher than Spurs, while Villarreal will not let Everton target Jozy Altidore leave.
Ashley Young is 'delighted' to be playing for Aston Villa after being linked with Real Madrid.
Villarreal have confirmed there is interest in Jozy Altidore, but have no intention of letting him leave.