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Hiddink tells Spurs to have patience with Gomes

22/11/2008

Former PSV Eindhoven manager Guss Hiddink has told Tottenham Hotspur to have patience with error-prone goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

The Brazilian stopper has made a series of high-profile mistakes that have cost his side valuable points since his £9 million arrival in the summer.

But Hiddink, who managed the keeper during his time with PSV, says Gomes will take time to adapt to the English game but expects him to prove his worth n the long run.

The current Russia manager says Gomes took time to settle in Holland as well but then became an important player in the side and he expects the same thing to happen in England if Spurs keep faith in him.

Hiddink told The Sun: "I'm very surprised to hear things have not been going so well but in his first six months at PSV he needed time to adapt.

"Football in Holland is very different from Brazil. He must be given some time in England where the game is different again."

Hiddink insists Gomes is worth the transfer fee Spurs paid for him and can help the north London club achieve their ambitions as he did for PSV.

"He is a world-class keeper. Gomes is not afraid and he has fantastic reflexes. He also commands his area," said Hiddink.

"He was exceptional to help PSV win two titles and was almost single-handedly responsible for getting the club to the Champions League semi-final."

Earlier this week Spurs sacked their goalkeeping coach Hans Leitert and have drafted in former player Tony Parks to work with Gomes and the other keepers at the club.