TOTTENHAM goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes was tipped to leave White Hart Lane following his string of blunders at the start of the season.

But he could end the campaign with a League Cup winners' medal.

His defenders could barely look at him at Fulham after allowing the simplest of catches to squirm into his net, illustrating how low on confidence the Brazilian was.

The 28-year-old was also at fault for a goal scored by Aston Villa's Ashley Young and a penalty for Udinese when he lost control of the ball at his feet - and he kept clattering his own defenders when he attempted to claim crosses.

Craven Cottage was the watershed and he has not put a glove wrong in most games since.

He was helped by a number of factors: Starting with the fact that Spurs boss Harry Redknapp did not have an alternative until the January transfer window opened.

Carlo Cudicini came on a free transfer from Chelsea but the Italian is cup-tied for the League Cup final against Manchester United so Gomes will start in goal.

Another reason for Gomes bouncing back was the appointment of Tony Parks, with the goalkeeper coach forging a close relationship with the man who arrived from PSV Eindhoven in the summer.

Parks' voice is often heard from the dug-out during matches - encouraging, telling defenders to move up the pitch and then being the first arm around Gomes' shoulder when he heads down the tunnel at half-time and full-time.

When Gomes started turning in Man-of-the-Match performances, it was Parks who held the gloves and gumshield while his pupil was interviewed on television and received his bubbly.

'It's a very good relationship,' Gomes said. 'He's a very good goalkeeper coach. He makes me stronger every time we work and that's good for me.

'My communication is better now and I feel better.'

What was not known during his wretched run was that Gomes was playing with a painful rib injury, and when it cleared up he started feeling more confident. Parks also slowed down Gomes' thought process and he was more selective over which crosses to come and claim.

Turnaround

'I think he thought that because it is the Premier League he had to come and get every cross,' Redknapp said.

Redknapp was impressed with Gomes' progress and last month turned down an approach from a club willing to match what Spurs paid in the summer, thought to be around ????pounds;7 million ($15.4m).

For those who have met him, Gomes' turnaround in fortunes could not have happened to a nicer person.

When he returned to Holland to face NEC Nijmegen, he was greeted like a relative returning to see the family.

While at PSV, children flocked to his house for autographs and he could not turn them away.

'Eindhoven is a small place compared to London and where I lived was near a school,' he said.

'The students knew where I lived and they were constantly coming and ringing the doorbell to ask for autographs.

'But there were times when we were sleeping or needed some rest so I put up a sign saying - 'come back later, we're sleeping'. They would come back later.'

It was in Holland where he was given the nickname 'Octopus' for his rangy frame, and also where he honed his enormous throw - he can launch the ball as far as others can kick.

Gomes was the fans' favourite at Philips Stadion and whipped up the crowd at half-time by doing chin-ups using the crossbar.

This was from a player who only went between the sticks as a teenager so he would not be left out of a beach football competition in Sete Lagoas, Brazil.

From that tournament to Wembley to face United after his eventful season.

'I know I am a very good goalkeeper at the top level,' he said. 'It's difficult for the opposition to score goals against me. I am confident now and I know I am better.'

If he wins, he will celebrate with the same people who helped him through his rocky patch.

'When I went home I blocked it out and spoke with my family and everyone,' he said.

'Everyone in my family helped me so much and that was important for me.'

- PA Sport.