Juande Ramos is treating the FA Cup with the utmost importance and believes Reading will too, despite the comments of Dave Kitson this week.Kitson claimed staying in the Premier League is more important to him ahead of Saturday's cup clash at White Hart Lane, while Ramos sees it as important gateway to European football next season.

Given Spurs' defensive problems, winning a trophy may be a safer bet to qualify for the UEFA Cup rather than climbing the league table - and Ramos also has a taste for knockout glory.

He won the Copa del Rey last season with Sevilla and has claimed back-to-back UEFA Cups. He is in the hunt for a hat-trick this season and also is in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

Ramos' message is that he is not treating the FA Cup lightly.

"It is a beautiful competition," he said. "Above all it is important because it is a route into Europe and a way to win a title.

"We cannot give up on that route because we are behind in the league. It is difficult to get in the European places but in the cup you always have the chance of doing it."

Although Reading boss Steve Coppell may field a reserve XI, Ramos still feels Spurs' opponents will be eager to impress and get into the fourth round of the competition.

"Reading will try to win the game, same as us," said the Spaniard. "I think they're looking to make us feel complacent.

"I think that is a case of a wolf in sheep's clothing. We can't make a mistake here because if we do we are out of the competition.

"It is true that cups give you the chance to qualify for Europe and win a trophy in a shorter time because the league is a long competition and it is much more difficult to get into Europe.

"In the cups if you get a bit of luck with the draw you have the chance to win a trophy and qualify for Europe."

Ramos admits attitudes towards cup competitions have changed now, adding: "It's the same situation in other countries, in Spain it's the same.

"In the first few rounds when you have teams from lower divisions who have a low chance of winning the competition then possibly this is true.

"But as soon as the top teams come into the competition - probably from the last 16 onwards - it's a beautiful competition, very important, and it gives access to Europe. Nobody gives up trying to win it."

Reading lost 6-4 at Spurs at Spurs last week, exposing Ramos' shaky defence that appear to have severe problems with set-pieces.

"We are trying to correct it because it is true that we have conceded lots of goals in this way," said Ramos.

"Only with a high level of concentration and with a good defensive attitude are we going to be able to control it.

"At set plays we have 10 players back in our area so it is strange we are getting surprised in this way.

"I would like it to be a beautiful and attractive game like the last one so the fans who come to the ground enjoy themselves - as long as Spurs win."

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