AVB cheered by Spurs fans

London - Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has paid tribute to the club's fans after seeing his side overcome Hull City in a penalty shootout to reach the Capital One Cup quarter-finals.

Villas-Boas had been critical of his side's supporters after their 1-0 victory over the same team in the English Premiership on Sunday, accusing them of creating a "very tense, very negative" atmosphere.

However, after seeing his team beat Hull 8-7 on penalties following a gripping 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, he said he was happy with their support.

"It was a great, entertaining game and the supporters were absolutely fantastic," the Tottenham manager said.

"To see their response after we suffered a setback was very pleasant.

"They can make that difference for us.

"It was a great atmosphere and it was great for the team to feel that empathy with the supporters."

Tottenham were drawn to face West Ham United at home in the quarter-finals in December.

Meanwhile, Spurs' record signing, Erik Lamela, has called for the club's fans to show patience while he adapts to the unfamiliar rhythms of the English game.

The 21-year-old Argentine signed from Roma for a reported fee of £30 million in August, but he is yet to start a Premier League game and missed a penalty in the shootout against Hull.

"I think I need a bit of time," Lamela told the Evening Standard newspaper.

"I feel good here, although getting used to life here in every sense is a completely different thing.

"I've barely been here two months, so time is maybe what I need.

"I need training, a bit of rhythm, some games.

"English football is very different from the game in Italy -- much more physical, whereas Serie A is more tactical.

"It's not necessarily more difficult, but it's just different.

"This is a style of football I like very much, though, and I think, with the way I play, it will be very suited to my game."

He added: "My moment will come and I will make the difference.

"You always train thinking that you're going to play. Sooner or later, my moment will arrive and I have to be ready.

"That is the way I am looking at it."