TOTTENHAM boss Juande Ramos has tried to play down the significance of his side's capitulation at the hands of Newcastle United at White Hart Lane last weekend.

Spurs led at half-time thanks to a Darren Bent header, but Kevin Keegan's rejuvenated side ran the home side ragged after the break as they proffitted from some profligate defending.

Ramos told the club's official website: "It's quite strange, because we had a good first half, the team was fine, but without any apparent reason the direction of the match changed.

"I think it was due to a lack of tension and the fact that the points weren't very important. Newcastle played more than us and the points were more important for them.

"We're in a phase of the season that's not so important, so it's useful to see the players in a different way of playing. We're looking to use the squad and that will then help us make the correct decisions for next season."