Touch of silver the spur for Ramos' men

English League Cup, semi-final, second leg:The reputations of the Tottenham first XI carry more weight than their trophy cabinets. There is the feeling in some quarters that tonight is the night; that Arsenal will finally be vanquished and the club can step decisively towards a first trophy in nine years. Yet those players entrusted with reaching the final are themselves in uncharted territory.

Lee Young-pyo is an anomaly in Juande Ramos' starting line-up. The left-back won two titles and one cup during his time at PSV Eindhoven, not to mention the South Korean championship with Anyang LG Cheetahs. But beyond a couple of cups in the Czech Republic by Radek Cerny and one in Bulgaria for Dimitar Berbatov, none of them knows silverware.

Tottenham's challenge in the League Cup semi-final second leg at White Hart Lane lies as much between their ears. Never mind that they have not beaten Arsenal in 21 attempts, most Spurs players do not know what it is to be winners. There is a seething determination, though, to make the breakthrough.

"I have never won a winners' medal and it is the same for most of the lads in the dressingroom," said Michael Dawson, the central defender. "It is disappointing because there are world-class players in there. We know what this means to everyone at the football club and the fans. It is the chance to play in a final, something that most of us have never done."

Tottenham are past masters at raising expectations only to fall short at the last. They took a 2-0 lead in the League Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal last season but were reeled in and beaten in the return, a defeat that still rankles. They continue to search for the winning formula and believe they have a trump card in Ramos, the manager who joined them last October after success at Sevilla, where he won five trophies in two-and-a-half seasons, including the Uefa Cup twice.

"The gaffer has got the experience of winning cups against big teams," said Jermaine Jenas, the midfielder. "That could be the difference between reaching stages like this or reaching finals and being successful. He knows the difference and I am sure he will pass on all of his experience and push us forward."

Jenas scored the Tottenham goal in the 1-1 first-leg draw at the Emirates Stadium, when the fortuitous nature of Theo Walcott's late equaliser suggested it was Arsenal's destiny never to lose to their neighbours, and the Spurs midfielder admitted that last season's heartbreak remained at the back of his mind.

"It was horrible, a horrible feeling, especially after being 2-0 up (at half-time) at White Hart Lane," he said of the 5-3 aggregate defeat. "We knew we had slipped up and, as I have said before, the thing we were missing was that winning mentality, that aggressiveness to shut up games, that killer instinct. That's what we have got to have, hopefully a lot of the lads have learned. Hopefully they will remember what it felt like last year and they won't want to feel it again."

Walcott, who manager Arsene Wenger believes has the talent to become a "fantastic striker", is set to return to the Arsenal side tonight.

Defender Philippe Senderos (nose) has joined Johan Djourou (groin) on the sidelines, so Wenger feels he has "no choice" but to ask captain William Gallas to lead the team.

Either Justin Hoyte or Gilberto Silva will fill in at centre-back alongside the veteran Frenchman.

Tottenham are set to sign Hertha Berlin player Gilberto, bringing an end to their recent policy of targeting younger players.

The Brazilian is a left-back who can operate in midfield, and at 31 will be one of the most experienced members of Ramos' squad when the paperwork is completed for his move.

Spurs signed Dutch veteran Edgar Davids in 2005 but their strategy in recent seasons has been to buy younger players.

Ramos has identified the need for experience, particularly in a defence short on confidence this season and Ledley King being eased back into the side after knee surgery.

Gilberto's contract with Hertha expires in the summer and he could be signed either immediately if a deal is agreed or on a pre-contract for next season.

Guardian Service