Martin Lol

Comolli wasn't the schemer that got the manager the sack, Martin Jol wasn't the manager, he was the Head Coach. Jol joined as the Assistant Coach to Santini, Jol was appointed by the then DoF Frank Arnesen, who then promptly manoeuvred Santini out of the club to get his preferred coach in pole position. Jol was happy to reap the benefits then, less so when the ball was on the other foot. Comolli and Jol have had numerous arguments about the direction the club should take. Jol was adamant that progress would be through a nucleus of 5 or 6 players who get selected each week irrespective of how well they were playing individually, Comolli believes that individual form is paramount to team selection. I'm not saying that one is always right and the other is always wrong, it's a lot less black and white like that, but I strongly believe that to have half the team picked irrespective of how well they are playing is niaive to say the least. There's no incentive to put in the effort if you're getting picked for the next match anyway. I'm intrigued to know what team Clive Allen will select as I know privately he has questioned Jol's team strategy at times. More importantly, Jol was always seen as an Arnesen signing who did not wish to buy into Comolli's overall plan. Comolli's vision of 2 strong central defensive MF is more in keeping with Wenger's strategy as is the idea of 2 wide players also. The recommendation of Ramos was initially very much Comolli's so if he does take the job, Ramos will be very much Comolli's man rather than Arnesen's. Comolli's role and ability will be better judged when the coach and the DoF share the same values. I still see no reason why the DoF concept which is almost universally used across the Continent to good effect should fail to be successful here. If people want it to be successful, I fervently believe it can be.

who is he?? Antonio Álvarez Giráldez is Ramos's #2, Marcos Álvarez is the Sevilla fitness coach. All that's being said is Alvarez will be flying over with Ramos but I'm not sure which one. Poyet is definitely the preferred option for the #2 so I guess it's the fitness coach. Hope so tbh, we did have a top notch one in Keneally but Arnesen filched him and took him to Chelsea. I was told Comolli went to Spain on Levy's jet but there seems to be some doubt now whether they'll be coming back tonight or tomorrow.

Sounds like Antonio Alvarez might be on the plane as well. Or it may be Marcos Alvarez? I suppose Alvarez in Spain is as common as Smith in England.

Well I did say yesterday afternoon "Well known ITK has said in the last 15 minutes or so that Ramos will be sooner rather than later, possibly by the end of this weekend." http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=46261.725 Fair to assume that if Ramos was arriving, Jol would already have been out the door. This bit you mean? "I doubt that he'll be gone this weekend, with or without a defeat." I doubted that he would be gone this weekend. The ITK's didn't doubt it.

Well I did say yesterday afternoon "Well known ITK has said in the last 15 minutes or so that Ramos will be sooner rather than later, possibly by the end of this weekend." http://www.newcastle-online.com/nufcforum/index.php?topic=46261.725 Fair to assume that if Ramos was arriving, Jol would already have been out the door.

Really ? Can you answer something for me, and I'm sure quite a few people may also be interested [but may ignore the reply if it doesn't suit them]. Why did Sir John Hall - as major shareholder along with his son - allow, agree or maybe even choose - the appointment of Souness ? I would also like to say that you would have a lot to do to convince me that the Halls simply wouldn't have sold to anyone who offered the going rate ie your comment that "he was convinced by Ashley" ? Once SJH stepped away from being stand-in Chairman in 98(after the NOTW debacle), he stopped having any direct day-to-day involvement with the club ; I am not going to go into detail(it is very personal and I believe Sir John & his wife wish to draw a veil over the whole affair)as I wish to respect SJH's privacy, but I was given to understand that he DID wish to continue as Chairman AFTER the Wembley defeat with Dalglish - unfortunately, events prevented this from happening ; I will not enlarge any further on that matter... He then stepped away from direct involvement, with one exception - that was to 'encourage' the Board to get moving & appoint Bobby Robson just over a year later. He did NOT use his shareholding to do that. He had no involvement, so far as I am aware, in the appointment of Souness or Roeder.That was down to Shepherd & the other Board members. As for the sale of his holding, he had wanted out for a while, but he did NOT sell until he had had a long discussion with Mike Ashley - if he had only been interested in getting the dosh, he would have left all that to the Lawyers etc - he definitely was of the opinion that MA was genuine about wanting the club for reasons other than a fast buck. You are entitled to your opinion about whether he sold for the 'right' reasons or not - I cannot prove or disprove it either way, but you should currently be happy about the way Ashley & Mort are running the club as compared to the previous regime - are you I heard from someone close to Paul Kemsley that MA had said that he got agreement to buy the first tranche of shares (the Hall family's) only after 'the f***ing Spanish Inquisition'. I would translate that as a long discussion!

As you usually are, spot on. As I've said before, if MJ had been as good tactically as he was mediawise with the press, he would have been as good as Mourinho. But he never had the killer touch to press hiome an advantage. 2-0 up against the Scum kids in the Carling Cup semi finaland decided to go defensive, 3-1 up away against Chelsea in the FA Cup then replaced Berbatov with Mido because 'I'd promised Mido half an hour' is not the way forward. I still have doubts about Ramos, big doubts tbh especially after having watched Santini try to settle in, but there is no doubt Ramos is far more tactically astute than MJ ever will be. The Uefa Cup ties against Sevilla last season proved that totally. Although Ramos has now fallen out with Monchi (the DoF) over how the style of play should evolve for Sevilla, as you say Ramos is well used to working with a Sporting Director and apparently know each other pretty well and got on well when that infamous meeting took place. Ramos was Comolli's #1 choice and it seems he could be in place for the Carling Cup against Blackpool next week with Clive Allen and Alex Inglethorpe looking after training and the Blackburn game. Poyet is Ramos's choice for his assistant, not Spurs, I have no idea how they know each other or just how good a coach Poyet is, though I do know he was coaching the u12's and doing his badges when he was at Spurs. The encouraging thing I suppose is Ramos is very keen on fitness coaches, dieticians etc a la Wenger/Allardyce which MJ was never a great believer in. MJ was never going to stay beyond this season though, even if the top table hadn't been caught with their trousers down in Spain. Almost certain he will be taking over as Dutch national manager next summer when Van Basten moves on.

There are major problems in MF for sure, but they're no the only ones. I hear that if Lennon spent as much time on the training ground as he does going clubbing, he could be a world class talent. The questions about King is not when he comes back, but if he comes back, and if he does come back, how long will he be back for? Crying shame because he is talented and a really nice bloke too, but he won't be the first to have his career cut short. JJ was at his best with a truly able defensive player alongside him. Carrick was up to that and JJ flourished. Take Carrick away and JJ's shortcomings are there for all to see. It's not that he can't play well for Spurs, he needs the right person alongside him and Zokora isn't that person and Huddlestone isn't (yet??). Maybe JJ would play better if we got renamed Tottenham Patriots? Is King crocked, then? Would be a shame. Arthritis. Rumoured to be announcing his retirement if this latest operation isn't a success. Sounds like his knee is just flaking away. I'd prefer to see him retire now than to wind up in a wheelchair sometime in his later life. MJ i take that jol will almost certainly get the old tin tak if you fail to beat Blackburn this weekend? Do most Spurs fans want him gone anyway now? Whats our chances of getting the unhappy Berbatov? what is wrong with Berbatov anyway, big fall out somewhere i take it? We know all about Jenas he does as mentioned flatter to decieve, can play well but is very inconsistant, you always feel he is just about to turn the corner in terms of consistantcy but he just never does, very annoying as the ability is there not too different from Dyer in that respect. I'm also not sure about his best position but think overall he's better as a DM. Very happy with the £7m!! Fans support for MJ is holding up remarkably well and I doubt that he'll be gone this weekend, with or without a defeat. There were strong rumours this morning that Ramos might become available if asked again and all the betting sites have suspended betting this afternoon. Maybe smoke without fire, maybe not. There are more strong rumours from highly credible sources that the players aren't solidly behind MJ as they are trying to paint in the media, so it may be sooner rather than later. I don't think he will get the old heave ho though unless there is the chosen replacement readily available. The truth is that even allowing for injuries, the squad/team has not looked balanced all season long but, irrespective of that, there are some players there who think they have done the hard work getting to 5th in the past 2 years and have gone into cruise control this season. If we still had Pedro Mendes for example, there is no way the MF would be looking as soft as it is now. But one player doesn't make a squad. There are a lot of good players in the squad but there are obvious weaknesses in some areas for the first choice starter, let alone 2nd or 3rd. I also think there will probably (rather than possibly) be an announcement on ownership of the club before the end of the year. See what happens then. I thought it was commonly held that Mendes wasn't good enough for your midfield. He wasn't but he showed the fight that is currently lacking. He wouldn't have been in my starting XI, I would have wanted better, but I wouldn't have sold him either. Well known ITK has said in the last 15 minutes or so that Ramos will be sooner rather than later, possibly by the end of this weekend. I have my doubts about the timing but I wouldn't dispute who he's said. Can't say I'd be doing cartwheels in celebration even if it does happens. My curiosity remains with the Extraordinary General Meeting for 26th November as reported to the Stock Exchange.

There are major problems in MF for sure, but they're no the only ones. I hear that if Lennon spent as much time on the training ground as he does going clubbing, he could be a world class talent. The questions about King is not when he comes back, but if he comes back, and if he does come back, how long will he be back for? Crying shame because he is talented and a really nice bloke too, but he won't be the first to have his career cut short. JJ was at his best with a truly able defensive player alongside him. Carrick was up to that and JJ flourished. Take Carrick away and JJ's shortcomings are there for all to see. It's not that he can't play well for Spurs, he needs the right person alongside him and Zokora isn't that person and Huddlestone isn't (yet??). Maybe JJ would play better if we got renamed Tottenham Patriots? Is King crocked, then? Would be a shame. Arthritis. Rumoured to be announcing his retirement if this latest operation isn't a success. Sounds like his knee is just flaking away. I'd prefer to see him retire now than to wind up in a wheelchair sometime in his later life. MJ i take that jol will almost certainly get the old tin tak if you fail to beat Blackburn this weekend? Do most Spurs fans want him gone anyway now? Whats our chances of getting the unhappy Berbatov? what is wrong with Berbatov anyway, big fall out somewhere i take it? We know all about Jenas he does as mentioned flatter to decieve, can play well but is very inconsistant, you always feel he is just about to turn the corner in terms of consistantcy but he just never does, very annoying as the ability is there not too different from Dyer in that respect. I'm also not sure about his best position but think overall he's better as a DM. Very happy with the £7m!! Fans support for MJ is holding up remarkably well and I doubt that he'll be gone this weekend, with or without a defeat. There were strong rumours this morning that Ramos might become available if asked again and all the betting sites have suspended betting this afternoon. Maybe smoke without fire, maybe not. There are more strong rumours from highly credible sources that the players aren't solidly behind MJ as they are trying to paint in the media, so it may be sooner rather than later. I don't think he will get the old heave ho though unless there is the chosen replacement readily available. The truth is that even allowing for injuries, the squad/team has not looked balanced all season long but, irrespective of that, there are some players there who think they have done the hard work getting to 5th in the past 2 years and have gone into cruise control this season. If we still had Pedro Mendes for example, there is no way the MF would be looking as soft as it is now. But one player doesn't make a squad. There are a lot of good players in the squad but there are obvious weaknesses in some areas for the first choice starter, let alone 2nd or 3rd. I also think there will probably (rather than possibly) be an announcement on ownership of the club before the end of the year. See what happens then.

There are major problems in MF for sure, but they're no the only ones. I hear that if Lennon spent as much time on the training ground as he does going clubbing, he could be a world class talent. The questions about King is not when he comes back, but if he comes back, and if he does come back, how long will he be back for? Crying shame because he is talented and a really nice bloke too, but he won't be the first to have his career cut short. JJ was at his best with a truly able defensive player alongside him. Carrick was up to that and JJ flourished. Take Carrick away and JJ's shortcomings are there for all to see. It's not that he can't play well for Spurs, he needs the right person alongside him and Zokora isn't that person and Huddlestone isn't (yet??). Maybe JJ would play better if we got renamed Tottenham Patriots? Is King crocked, then? Would be a shame. Arthritis. Rumoured to be announcing his retirement if this latest operation isn't a success. Sounds like his knee is just flaking away. I'd prefer to see him retire now than to wind up in a wheelchair sometime in his later life.

There are major problems in MF for sure, but they're no the only ones. I hear that if Lennon spent as much time on the training ground as he does going clubbing, he could be a world class talent. The questions about King is not when he comes back, but if he comes back, and if he does come back, how long will he be back for? Crying shame because he is talented and a really nice bloke too, but he won't be the first to have his career cut short. JJ was at his best with a truly able defensive player alongside him. Carrick was up to that and JJ flourished. Take Carrick away and JJ's shortcomings are there for all to see. It's not that he can't play well for Spurs, he needs the right person alongside him and Zokora isn't that person and Huddlestone isn't (yet??). Maybe JJ would play better if we got renamed Tottenham Patriots?

You're going down with the Mackems! Wouldn't argue with that if we played like that for the rest of the season. Personally, I think things will improve but by how much is debateable.

Oh well, just got back from two days of having the piss taken out of me by my cousins. TBF though, I thought I was pretty accurate with my predictions................. Newcastle 2-0 (well it was a 2 goal difference), Cerny respectable, either Dawson or Chimbonda to be s*** (wasn't expecting both). Got JJ horribly wrong, I thought he would be motivated to have a pretty decent game but he was as bad as I think I've seen him. Kaboul looks to have a lot of potential, but for £8m so he should. Impressed as always by Faye, always puts in a rock solid performance every time we play against his team, MOTM by a country mile imho. Back to the drawing board and a better effort next season. A few points wouldn't go amiss either!

I can't believe his crass stupidity in making those remarks. It will only motivate one team ffs! I did orignially say 2-0 defeat, moved to odd goal when Robbo was pronounced unfit, I'll now go back to 2-0 again. I hope its going to be mild in Newcastle tonight cos I'm on my way now and I don't want to watch a defeat while I'm f*cking freezing!

Are you sure you aren't Mihir Bose? I read his blog on the BBC, and the two of you come across as very similar. Or would you say that these London ITK's inevitably have the same sources as these journalists? The ITK's spread the word, the journos usually pick the story up a day or two later. I know for a fact that's how the Mail gets their stories.

The defence is only as good as its keeper and Robbo has been consistently grim this season. Cerny at the present time is definitely a step up and Spurs showed at Anfield that the defence could do a good job against quality opposition. I still think Spurs will lose but it could be a close encounter. A defence is only as good as its keeper, does that mean we have had one of the best defenses in the world at the Toon, seeing as Given has been one of the best keepers in the world? This season our defence is better than it has been in a long time but Given seems to have taken a slight dip in form. Funny thing to say like MJ. Not really. I'm not saying the back 4 is awesome, respectable but can make some mistakes. But they are working with a handicap if the keeper this season drops crosses, misses punches, lets shots go through his legs, and pushes shots to oncoming opposition players. Robbo has been really good for us but last season he was exceedingly mediocre and this season just downright abysmal. The only shame is that Spurs haven't said that he's being dropped.

Can't believe you're all still talking about it tbh. This must be the first ever rumour which has united both Newcastle and Spurs fans. Newcastle fans don't want it to happen, neither do Spurs fans. Perhaps, more importantly, all the ITK's are agreed it won't happen and a couple are saying Joe Lewis has already agreed a deal with Far East investors to sell at the end of the season. How much truth there is in that I have no idea.

The defence is only as good as its keeper and Robbo has been consistently grim this season. Cerny at the present time is definitely a step up and Spurs showed at Anfield that the defence could do a good job against quality opposition. I still think Spurs will lose but it could be a close encounter.

Am I wrong, or did Ashley not buy 100% of the club? Not just a controlling interest? You're not wrong, but the Sun isn't wrong either. MA bought a controlling interest in June then acquired enough extras to compulsorily purchase the rest. 100% cost £133m iirc. Plus he paid off £80m in debt, and paid a bit more on transfer fees. He's in for the long haul, and Mort said so the last time this story came out, so don't get your hopes up. A lot of journalists seem to be Spurs fans, and are clearly jeaslous of what we've got, and clearly want to unsettle a perceived rival prior to the NUFC vs Spurs game. As I said in the Spurs pre-match thread, I think the likelihood of it happening is just about nil, and I'm very comfortable with that. I would be deflated, not elated, if the rumours proved to be true, I'd put Kemsley very much in the Freddie Shepherd mould, which is hardly any recommendation! He's also one of the regular 'interviewers from hell' in the penultimate episode of each series of The Apprentice. As most of the national journos' papers are based in London, it's not surprising that the majority support London teams. The Mail is traditionally the Spurs paper, most of the reporters on the Sun support the other lot up the Seven Sisters.

Am I wrong, or did Ashley not buy 100% of the club? Not just a controlling interest? You're not wrong, but the Sun isn't wrong either. MA bought a controlling interest in June then acquired enough extras to compulsorily purchase the rest. 100% cost £133m iirc.

Dear me, no offence mate but some of the rumours and 'inside info' I hear from Spurs fans have to go down as the most fantastical jackanory peices of bull I've ever heard. I mean its not enough to rumour that Mike Ashley (who has just paid £133 for a Football club, paid off £80 million of debt, and turns up to every game in a Newcastle top) is going to just up and sell within months in order to try to buy Tottenham... Oh no, he's going to team up with 3 other billionaires to do it. Because Spurs are too good for one man with a $4 billion personal fortune, they need three billionaires to fullfill there massive potential Just about no chance of that happening?, try no chance what so ever of even any part of that happening.. The financial report won't include all of the £28.5 million you spent on summer transfers, not even most of it. As with most transfers some money will be paid up front for players with the majority of the rest of the fee being paid bit by bit over the following year/s. Also I don't know how you get this £50 million figure from.. The 'inside info' I gave was that Kemsley was going, which he has, and that Spurs would post record figures in their Accounts, which they did. The rumour going about that I mentioned, that Kemsley would leave and team up with others, was as I said, just a rmour. I did also say that I thought the chance of it actually happening was just about nil. I still think that even though some of the press are now coming out with the story. FWIW Kemsley does know how much cash Levy wants to sell up and it is beyond PK's means even though he is seriously wealthy. I doubt whether Ashley is a Spurs fan as the press are saying (he's been to WHL on numerous occasions with Kemsley), Green and Caring are businessmen before fans. When Levy does sell up, I believe it will be to either a Russian or a Far Eastern consortium, both of which have been on the horizon for quite a while. True, the financial report doesn't include all that was spent in the summer window, but it doesn't include all of the increased television revenue from the new deal either. Spurs have had over £50m available for the past 2 windows, although not all was spent either time. My understanding is that the same scenario exists for the forthcoming window.

And you really think we give a monkeys' toss ? Spurs fans generally take an interest in how their rivals are faring, whether you do or not is your prerogative. Turnover up 39% and profit after all player trading up to £29.3m ensures another transfer kitty of over £50m available for the next window should the right players become available. The fact that Spurs have also announced a dividend for the first time since 1998 also reflects that, at the present time, they are awash with money. Did I mention Spuds fans? Do you speak for all of them ? I repeat, do you think we give a toss about the boring spurs crap you post on here. Here is a heads up for you it is a Newcastle web site,most come here to post and read about NEWCASTLE. I am not opposed to any visiting fan having their twopenneth,but you abuse the privilege. If you think your awash with money,we're are drowning in cash now.Having said that it is not about cash it is about results, it is about points it is about the game. Things that Spurs don't have so you talk money -silly child No No Some do, you obviously don't. My family background includes Benwell, hence my interest in NUFC. Your background apparently doesn't include Tottenham or Edmonton. Wasn't aware there was a privilege that I was abusing. Not once been banned here and I have been a member of this board somewhat longer than you. Lacking points currently, true, but without the finances to invest, points will be all the more harder to acquire. Newcastle experienced that problem in the past year or two, but with MA's backing and SA's ability, points should be easier for Newcastle to pick up. Silly child??? Been a long long time since anyone said that to me although I must admit I do look good for my age!

I echo your sentiments about Robbo. BMJ has long described him as one of his untouchables but there's been no justification for that description or his selection for most of this season. Cerny isn't a top top keeper but he's very capable and I've got no qualms about him being selected irrespective of what form Robinson is displaying at that time. Also agree with about Cerny's distribution. If Spurs like to seen as a passing team, it's totally illogical to have the keeper going for the big hoof every single time he gets it, even if he is an accurate kicker of the ball.

And you really think we give a monkeys' toss ? Spurs fans generally take an interest in how their rivals are faring, whether you do or not is your prerogative. Turnover up 39% and profit after all player trading up to £29.3m ensures another transfer kitty of over £50m available for the next window should the right players become available. The fact that Spurs have also announced a dividend for the first time since 1998 also reflects that, at the present time, they are awash with money.

There were a few carrying knocks, how fit they are now I don't know. About the only certainties are Robbo in goal and Berbatov and Keane up front. My guess for the other 8 would be Chimbonda-Dawson-Kaboul-Lee Malbranque-Hudd-Zokora-Bale Too many players with fluctuating form to see anything other than a home win. If they all played up to their Anfield form we'd have a good chance, but they're too erratic to have optimism on that scale.