Mon 25 September 2000, 12:00
Tottenham HotspurEnglish Barclays Premiership
Ramon Vega's love affair with the fans is back on.
The relationship went through a rocky patch back in August 1998 when the defender took the brunt of the blame for poor performances under former manager Christian Gross.
Vega was booed by his own fans when we lost against Sheffield Wednesday at home back in August 1998 - just a week before Gross's departure.
Since that low both sides have started appreciating each other again and Vega's excellent display in the Worthington Cup Final in March 1999 won most of the fans over again.
Injury meant Vega could not build on that last season but now he is back and winning standing ovations from the Lane faithful.
The Swiss defender was handed his chance with Sol Campbell sidelined and he grabbed it with both hands against Manchester City on Saturday.
He defended superbly, had the measure of the dangerous Paulo Wanchope and at the other end, came closest to breaking the deadlock when his header rattled the crossbar.
A delighted Vega beamed: "I thoroughly enjoyed the game. It was beautiful. Unfortunately we didn't win and that was the only thing that spoiled it.
"I really like the fans now. They support me a lot and the more they support me it encourages me to play even better. I like that a lot and I hope they continue to support me like that."
Vega refuses to look too far ahead though. "I'm just keeping my feet on the ground," he added. "I enjoy every single day I'm on the football pitch, I'm fit again and that's all I'm looking for - to stay fit and enjoy every minute of my football."
