Juande Ramos: Worst start for 34 years is no reason for concern

Tottenham manager Juande Ramos today refused to press the panic button despite a defeat at home to Aston Villa that condemns the north London club to their worst start to a season in 34 years.

Since lifting the Carling Cup in February, Spurs have won only three Premier League games. And with just one point from four fixtures in the current campaign they are rock bottom of the table, two points adrift of Stoke City.

The omens are not good either. Back in 1974, Terry Neill took over from Bill Nicholson and Spurs only avoided relegation from the old Division One by a single point. Even debuts last night for striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and right-back Vedran Corluka, representing a combined investment of nearly £23million, failed to stop White Hart Lane ringing to jeers at the end of the first half and at full-time as Spurs lost 2-1.

Villa, having claimed their first away win of the season, are now where Ramos has ambitions to take Spurs, namely a place in the top four. But the 53-year-old Spaniard believes such a lofty position is still attainable.

"We've only played four League games," he said. "It has really only just begun. I still think there is room for us there. We've got a young squad with quality. Hopefully, we'll get a positive result soon and after that things could well change for us."

Ostensibly, Ramos has just two days to turn things round before Thursday's UEFA Cup first round first leg at home against Poland's Wisla Krakow. Yet he insisted the Villa result will not affect his planning for Krakow or the visit of Wigan on Sunday.