Martin Lol

Being widely reported in today's press that Spurs made a bid to get Mourinho in, which isn't quite accurate. Spurs, so I'm told, asked his agent if he was available now and how would he view joining Spurs. The reply was he enjoyed life in London, he would not rule out a move to Spurs in the future but under the terms of the settlement package he can't take another job in the Premier League before 1 August 2008. If MJ takes the Holland national job in the summer as has been widely rumoured, it could in theory be possible. My feeling is it's not worth a bet, even as a long shot.

15 is no age when he had so much to live for. RIP

Irrespective of the stats, I think Lennon's development stalled in a way not dissimilar to N'Zogbia's, but not by the same degree. After the hype of getting included in the WC squad, he never really pushed on last season as might have been expected. Whether it was playing too much on the left, the opposition working out how to deal with him or simply having too much of a good time in the club scene, the fact is he wasn't as good at the end of the season as might have been expected. This season will be big for both Lennon and N'Zogbia imo.

but he's still far, far better than milner. very few neutral fans wouldn't have Lennon in the team, and yes he's over-rated in the media but that doesn't mean he is a poor player. hard to believe people here are slating Bale, i'm assuming they haven't watched him as his talent is very obvious. I can't say I'm a big fan of Bale, from what I seen of of him last season he looks comfortable on the ball but I'm not convinced with him at left back, I remember watching one particular game (Southampton vs Colchester iirc) and he was getting murdered down his side, both goals were created down his side in fact, that's not to say he won't become a top player in a few years but he's just a young talent with potential atm. but he's still far, far better than milner. very few neutral fans wouldn't have Lennon in the team, and yes he's over-rated in the media but that doesn't mean he is a poor player. hard to believe people here are slating Bale, i'm assuming they haven't watched him as his talent is very obvious. I can't say I'm a big fan of Bale, from what I seen of of him last season he looks comfortable on the ball but I'm not convinced with him at left back, I remember watching one particular game (Southampton vs Colchester iirc) and he was getting murdered down his side, both goals were created down his side in fact, that's not to say he won't become a top player in a few years but he's just a young talent with potential atm. Agree there are more question marks about his defensive qualities in the Premiership rather than his ability to go forward or use his left foot. That said, he has proved able at international level, higher quality but less frenetic pace of the premiership. There is no proof yet that Enrique will handle the English game either atm, so I would opt for Bale in the absence of more evidence one way or the other.

SWP is a far more all rounded player than Lennon is (and probably ever will be) and I would take a part exchange with no hesitation at all. Lennon is still far more of an attacking threat than Milner though.

Lennon was training today, fully fit and ready for the fools on Saturday. Don't think Dyer will be doing that for a while. BTW Dawson and Kaboul fully fit too. What was Lennon's injury MJ ? Keyhole surgery on his knee in the summer, cleaning up around the cartilage apparently.

Lennon was training today, fully fit and ready for the fools on Saturday. Don't think Dyer will be doing that for a while. BTW Dawson and Kaboul fully fit too.

Suppose they will be the ones offering the best chance of premiership survival. If Sunderland do survive I think there will be a lot more comings and goings in subsequent windows.

Riquelme off to Athletico Madrid.

There can only be one or two explanations for this. West Brom don't want to sell Davies for cash alone as Luton get a third of it. They've asked for Cahill in part exchange. So we get Davies, Laursen, Mellberg and Knight as our CBs, with Cahill going to Albion (although he could also just be going there on loan). Looked at that way, it isn't too bad. The other interpretation is that we'll have Laursen, Mellberg, Cahill and Knight as our CBs, which isn't actually that bad a line up. Either way, Knight is fourth choice CB, and is probably about as good a player as you could get to be fourth choice. The fact he is Fulham's skipper and a regular starter and opting for the bench is odd, but then again he's from Solihull and a Villa supporter, which may explain it. Oh, and he actually scored for us on Saturday, bizarrely enough. WBA want £15m, that's what is putting everyone off of the idea. Spurs went up to £9m and I think that was too much tbh.

Bit of a non-story from today's Sun about this stuff, which pales into insignificance when compared with what Allardyce says in the Guardian if you ask me. Do you think it is coincidence that the Mirror, The People, NOTW and the Sun have all come up with a figure of £225m? It could be that one came up with the figure and the rest followed like sheep or maybe the Ashley camp are feeding that figure out to the media. Ashley is committed to Newcastle and has no intention of selling up. Paul Kemsley says so from his yacht, so it must be true. http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/sport/sport4.shtml SPURS have amazingly offered a grovelling apology to under-fire manager Martin Jol. Vice-chairman Paul Kemsley — the man at the centre of the secret meeting with Sevilla coach Juande Ramos — has said ‘sorry' to Jol and the Tottenham fans. Kemsley accepts his ill-advised trip to Spain has plunged White Hart Lane into crisis and left Jol's job in jeopardy. But today, as Spurs face Manchester United at Old Trafford, Kemsley broke his silence. In an exclusive News of the World interview, Kemsley also dismissed speculation he wants to buy Spurs with best friend and Newcastle supremo Mike Ashley. Kemsley said: "I am sorry about last weekend's escapade and for the damage and upset it has caused to both Martin Jol, the club and the supporters. The truth is that we never offered Martin's job to Juande Ramos no matter what anybody thinks. "I went to Seville for two reasons. Firstly to talk with Sevilla about the way they run their club and to discuss their model for success because that's what I want for Tottenham-success. "I have been a season ticket holder at Spurs since I was seven and there are not many people who can say that. "You must believe I want what's best for the club and I think you should always talk to other people, especially successful people, to see how they have achieved so much. "I must admit the second reason I was there was as a contingency against Martin leaving. "I know Martin is hugely ambitious, he is always telling me that, and I know he is a coveted manager. There are a lot of teams out there who would love him in charge of their club. "I liken it to being married to a beautiful woman — it's wonderful to have a beautiful wife but it can make you insecure and worried that you might lose her. "That's how I feel about Martin. I think he is great but I'm worried he could leave. So you must have a contingency plan. "It's like having a life vest under your seat on an aeroplane. You hope you don't have to use it but you are safe in the knowledge that it's there in case of an emergency. "I am not trying to force Martin out. I am 100 per cent behind him and I know Daniel Levy is 100 per cent behind him, too. The events of the last week might not have given that impression and I regret that. "But I could not allow this situation to continue to undermine the club. Let's stop all this talk of crisis and let's use this as a rallying call to everyone who loves Spurs. "This is my call to arms to everyone who loves the club-let's all pull together to try and achieve what we all want — the very best. Let's give Martin our full backing." Kemsley, speaking from his yacht in the south of France, then scotched all talk that he wants to topple chairman Levy and assume control of the club himself. And he laughed off reports that he has teamed up with multi-millionaire chum Ashley to try to seize control at White Hart Lane. Kemsley added: "I am a great admirer of Daniel and what he has done for this club. The report that I'm teaming up with Mike to take charge is just nonsense. "Yes, Mike is my best friend and has been from the time we worked together in a sports shop as teenagers. But he's not a Tottenham fan and I know he is totally committed to Newcastle. "Me? I always have been a Spurs fan so I would love it if we could stuff Newcastle 4-0 when we play them and, friends or not, I would laugh straight in Mike's face."

Levy's definitive explanation to the past few days.................... <snip> If the mods feel it is inappropriate to have the link, apologies, no doubt they will delete it.

We might need him. The word is Jol has quit. How true it is I don't know.

I've been here today posting on other threads. You surely don't begrudge me having some lunch? Lunch is for wimps! I win! :lol: I didn't have much, just a large bowl of jellied eels and a plate of whelks!

It's not a "we're bigger than spurs thing," it's a spurs fan perpetuating the tabloid driven crap that annoys me. It's not me perpetuating a tabloid driven story, it was something I heard about a few days ago and said so on page 4 of this thread and before there was any suggestion that Ashley might sell to Icelanders or anyone else: It could be plausible. There have been rumours going around for the past couple of days that Paul Kemsley is looking to buy out Levy/Enic. Whilst he is a seriously wealthy multi-millionaire, he still doesn't have the financial clout to buy the club and progress his ambitions. Doing the deal with his best mate backing him would make some sense. Not suggesting that this is anything but a hypothetical situation but I wouldn't say it would never happen. It's not a 'we're bigger than you' or vice versa thing, the fact is that Ashley lives in Totteridge, his best mate is the Spurs Deputy Chairman and in the past has often gone with him to WHL. I'm not saying it will happen, but if Ashley does sell NUFC, there is logic in thinking he might then go in for Spurs. Personally I just don't get why someone would empty their pocket to the tune of 150m just to sell it all a few months later for a insignificant profit, in the scheme of his money dealings, just to buy into a club that "his mate is involved in" when they could of organised something together in the first place, without all the headaches Ashley has been through. From the Newcastle side of things, maybe the financial situation not being quite what it seemed could play a part. From the Spurs side, it's well known that Levy has been approached by a number of parties and the asking price has been a deterrent. Spurs' dealings over the past few days has affected the perceived value of the club. With Kemsley's known desire to buy Spurs and Ashley's believed willingness to sell NUFC, it may not be too far fetched to put the two together. Not suggesting for a minute that this is concrete, but as I said on page 4, it is plausible. Its desperate wishful thinking on your (and the London Media) behalf. So with Ramos rejecting your offer, where does that leave you? Why is it that much wishful thinking? Ashley has hardly been brilliant so far - he's done nowt wrong, and is CLEARLY better than the Fat Man, but it's not like he's pumped a gazillion pounds into the first team, or owt. He seems like a decent enough owner, so far, no more. Because he is looking for a reason for change, a reason for the incompetence shown so far by the Spurs board, that if a takeover is in the wings them letting go of their manager at this time seems more plausible. Heaven forbid they've just fuked up big style, ala NUFC of old style. Making more of our slight financial discrepancy to add weight to the story smacks of desperation. Not quite all what it seems? What £10m difference so Ashley is going to go running? Fuking doubt it. i'm not saying i believe the story - i don't. I'm talking about it being wishful thinking from a Spurs fan - i don't think Ashley would be top of anyones list if they got to 'wish' for a chairman, is what i meant. But its about the only story the London media can come up with right now. He's a friend, he's got money, he's got a football club. 'Right lads, i think i've found Spurs' Saviour, get it printed'. MJ's willingness to bring it to our attention and to want to believe in it is beyond desperate. The media is always full of s****, people believe some stupid things. Ashley to Spurs, Ronaldo/Rooney/Riquelme to NUFC, they print stuff to get a response. There are enough idiots on here who believe everything they read in the press, if we slated them all it would take all day. But we do tbf. As a forum we really don't take anything for word unless its come from the horses mouth. Now this s*** might wash and appease a couple of clowns on the Spuds forums, but to bring that s**** on here and to cling to it for dear life is going to get a reaction. MJ (both poster & manager) are very desperate people right now. I would have thought Levy would be more desperate right now than MJ the manager. Levy and the board have fucked up in a big way and Ramos's last press conference has done nothing to make them feel any better. As for me I'm not desperate about anything. Seen highs, seen lows. What will be tbh.

I've been here today posting on other threads. You surely don't begrudge me having some lunch?

It's not a "we're bigger than spurs thing," it's a spurs fan perpetuating the tabloid driven crap that annoys me. It's not me perpetuating a tabloid driven story, it was something I heard about a few days ago and said so on page 4 of this thread and before there was any suggestion that Ashley might sell to Icelanders or anyone else: It could be plausible. There have been rumours going around for the past couple of days that Paul Kemsley is looking to buy out Levy/Enic. Whilst he is a seriously wealthy multi-millionaire, he still doesn't have the financial clout to buy the club and progress his ambitions. Doing the deal with his best mate backing him would make some sense. Not suggesting that this is anything but a hypothetical situation but I wouldn't say it would never happen. It's not a 'we're bigger than you' or vice versa thing, the fact is that Ashley lives in Totteridge, his best mate is the Spurs Deputy Chairman and in the past has often gone with him to WHL. I'm not saying it will happen, but if Ashley does sell NUFC, there is logic in thinking he might then go in for Spurs. Personally I just don't get why someone would empty their pocket to the tune of 150m just to sell it all a few months later for a insignificant profit, in the scheme of his money dealings, just to buy into a club that "his mate is involved in" when they could of organised something together in the first place, without all the headaches Ashley has been through. From the Newcastle side of things, maybe the financial situation not being quite what it seemed could play a part. From the Spurs side, it's well known that Levy has been approached by a number of parties and the asking price has been a deterrent. Spurs' dealings over the past few days has affected the perceived value of the club. With Kemsley's known desire to buy Spurs and Ashley's believed willingness to sell NUFC, it may not be too far fetched to put the two together. Not suggesting for a minute that this is concrete, but as I said on page 4, it is plausible.

It's not a "we're bigger than spurs thing," it's a spurs fan perpetuating the tabloid driven crap that annoys me. It's not me perpetuating a tabloid driven story, it was something I heard about a few days ago and said so on page 4 of this thread and before there was any suggestion that Ashley might sell to Icelanders or anyone else: It could be plausible. There have been rumours going around for the past couple of days that Paul Kemsley is looking to buy out Levy/Enic. Whilst he is a seriously wealthy multi-millionaire, he still doesn't have the financial clout to buy the club and progress his ambitions. Doing the deal with his best mate backing him would make some sense. Not suggesting that this is anything but a hypothetical situation but I wouldn't say it would never happen. It's not a 'we're bigger than you' or vice versa thing, the fact is that Ashley lives in Totteridge, his best mate is the Spurs Deputy Chairman and in the past has often gone with him to WHL. I'm not saying it will happen, but if Ashley does sell NUFC, there is logic in thinking he might then go in for Spurs.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/columnists/result/ Jol still on thin ice and Harry poised Derek McGovern 22/08/2007 Hardened punters have learned one thing from bitter experience - you can always rely on top football clubs to tell it like it isn't. So Michael Ballack is deliriously happy at Chelsea, Thierry Henry was never going to leave Arsenal, Owen Hargreaves is a tremendous signing by Manchester United, and Martin Jol is staying put at Spurs. Despite what Spurs were saying last night, White Hart Lane boss Jol has the shelf life of a lasagne. He's a dead man walking, though for the moment he ain't doing any walking. An 8-13 chance on Betfair mid-afternoon yesterday to be first Premiership manager axed, Jol had by last night drifted to 9-4. Significantly, though, that still made him Sack Race favourite, suggesting not too many punters are prepared to swallow the Spurs statement hook, line and tinker. Juande Ramos had been odds-on with many bookies to succeed Jol following the arrival of a Spurs delegation in Seville over the weekend. But many punters are beginning to believe the real Tottenham target is a man with almost as powerful a command of the English language as Ramos - Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp. After the betting uproar that surrounded his return to Portsmouth, Redknapp would rather run a mile carrying Frank Lampard on his back than spark another major gamble but it's bad news for him that the other central figures in this latest rumour are also high-rolling punters. Tottenham vice-chairman Paul Kemsley is a big-league poker player who once part-owned a racehorse with Redknapp - it was slower than Robbie Keane - and who at one stage last season was reported to be trying to lure the veteran boss to White Hart Lane. His best pal is Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, and it could be that Kemsley has told him the Londoners are up for grabs and has invited his gambling buddy to pool their resources. And with a pedigree like theirs, keen gambler Redknapp would be the ideal choice for manager. Redknapp was available at 18-1 yesterday to be next Spurs boss although by the time most firms reopen their books today, the Pompey chief will be much shorter. Depending on whether Ashley can sell Newcastle at the right price for him, it seems that there may be some truth in the supposition in the Mirror. Kemsley is the one trying to push Jol to the exit door and was at the meeting with Ramos.

The Official announcement from Spurs came shortly before it emerged that Ramos had agreed in principle to take over, then, after a meeting with the Sevilla board, changed his mind. Ramos is entering into his final year of his contract and he has (reportedly) told Spurs that he will not be seeking to renew his contract. Reading between the lines, if Jol doesn't resign due to the way he's been treated, he could be replaced by Ramos at the end of the season. Hard to imagine a worse example of a public relations exercise even if they tried.

The Spurs board are having a meeting tonight. The board will be meeting Jol tomorrow. Will it all get sorted out or will there be blood on the carpet??

Damage control? More like a dirty tricks campaign to justify getting shot of Jol imo. Berbatov's agent trying to ensure his player doesn't get sucked in to the mess.

Just about all signed by Arnesen have now gone. Robinson? Dawson? Lennon? Keane? Defoe? Lee? EDIT: Was Carrick not also Arnesen? It's indisputible that he was key to the first 5th place, and he then went on to make you a huge amount of money allowing you to buy Berb with some to spare. Were they not of his era? As far as I can tell, those signed by Comolli who played regularly last season are Jenas, Berb, Chimbonda, Zokora and Malbranque although less frequently. I would have said Arnesen had just as much of an impact, he propelled you there, or so it seemed to an outsider. Feel free to correct on any of the signings though, it's almost impossible I've got the timings of them all correct in my head. Is much of this wrong? As far as I can tell you've got worse since Comolli started affecting the squad more and more.... When did he become responsible for signing players? Was Berb his first capture? Carrick was an Arnesen signing. Carrick went and Lee, Tainio and Hudd are all that remains of actual Arnesen introductions. Robinson, Dawson, Lennon, Keane and Defoe were all set up or signed by Pleat. There is till far more of a Pleat influence on the squad than Arnesen. Arnesen influenced greatly the behind the scenes, particularly the medical side and skills coaching. Comolli has been the driving force for the new Academy and training facilities which is up for planning approval and due to cost £33m. http://tottenhamhotspur.com/news/view_archived_article.html?art_id=5577

It's change for the sake of change. Nothing else. If Jol was really that much of a liability he should have been sacked immediately following the last game of last season (something Newcastle have often got wrong until Roeder's departure). As it is he's been allowed to shape pre-season and had input into what players could/should be bought. You may as well give the job to Commoli. It's a recipe for disaster when the DoF and Coach have clearly divergent views on players. Are you seriously saying Berbatov or Chimbonda would have joined other clubs if a DoF with Comolli's power didn't exist? It hardly took much scouting to find those and any competent chief-exec could have negotiated the deals. Part of the problem with the way Spurs are running this system, is it's being run in an alien environment where the media and fans where the blame for any perceived failure is heaped 100% on the manager. Jol is taking flak for Commoli's failings. btw Kuyt for 18m? Where did that come from? Never saw that figure quoted once in any story when LFC were trying to buy him and he eventually joined for just over 9m. Berbatov was Comolli's #1 pick for a tall striker to complement Keane/Defoe. Kuyt was Jol's #1 pick for that position. The first prices Spurs were given were £10.9m for Berbatov, £18m for Kuyt. Leverkusen never budged from their quoted figure, Feyenoord eventually dropped their figure to £13.3m. Comolli (against Jol's wishes) opted to sign Berbatov, Jol was happy to pay £18m for Kuyt and remained Kuyt remained Jol's preferred choice right to the end. The DoF and the Head Coach should obviously try to work harmoniously but it's inevitable there will be differences. The DoF will obviously back his own judgement. My concern would be if Comolli got more wrong than right and imho that isn't a matter for debate.

Pretty much, David Dein acted as a DOF to Wenger which is why he's on the look out for a replacement. Dein was excellent in the role actually. But the Arsenal scouting set up in general and Arsene's contacts in Euro also played a big part. Dein wasn't a real specialist mind he was just one from the 'old board' who shared Wenger's vision and understood his needs. Wenger was still Optimus Prime. Where it has gone wrong at Spurs is that Comolli almost seems after Jol's job. Not quite as bad at Chelsea but there has also been a lot of fiction there. People also have to remember that Kenyon head hunted Mourinho and that brings with it certain ties. Comolli is Jol's immediate superior in the hierachy, he recommends people for the underling's job, not tries to take them for himself! The Spurs board will back the DoF ahead of the Head Coach every time. The coach may be sacked but with the strategy being dictated by the DoF, the continuity will remain. It should also be remembered that Spurs' 2 5th place finishes have been with Comolli as the DoF, Arnesen never achieved that in his time at Spurs. Comolli also turned down Wenger when he was tapped up to be Dein's replacement so I don't see the system being the problem as much as the Head Coach (appointed by Arnesen) not being in sync with Comolli's strategy. Even if a deal with Ramos cannot be finalised, I don't see Jol staying very long and his departure wouldn't have anything to do with the results of the first 2 matches of the season either. Can't be much of a system if two grown men can't communicate within it and sort out the football side of things. MJ clarify for us how you give so much credit for the two 5th places to Comolli and not Jol. And who is at fault for the Spurs left side? http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,2152361,00.html Jol hears 'whispers' that his sacking is close as Spurs court Sevilla's Ramos David Hytner Monday August 20, 2007 The Guardian Martin Jol fears Tottenham are about to sack him and wants clarity from Daniel Levy, the chairman, about his future. The manager watched his team beat Derby County 4-0 at White Hart Lane on Saturday to win their first points of the season but has been alarmed to hear "whispers" that his days are numbered. Jol was also distressed to learn that Tottenham directors had met Juande Ramos, the Sevilla manager, in Spain on Friday. John Alexander, the club secretary, was pictured with Ramos, and Paul Kemsley, the vice-chairman, was also present. The system will work fine and only really breaks down when one (Jol) wants to take some of the job delegated to his immediate boss (Comolli). From what I understand on the continent, some DoF's don't even discuss the players with the coach, just sign them and say 'here's another one for the squad for you to work with'. At Spurs Jol says what position he would like filled and what level (starter, squad, one for the future), Comolli comes up with a list of names and the order of preference is decided between the pair of them. Comolli then starts to work down the list. The problems arise when Jol thinks a player should be bought at the price quoted by the selling club and Comolli refuses to recommend the bid to Levy at that price, SWP at £17m, Downing at £14m and Kuyt at £18m are just 3 I know of, I'm sure there are others. The problem with the left side is complex, Jol has said before he wants a LW and we've tried at various times for Downing, MGP, Robben, Nani, Petrov etc, even though Jol says he probably wouldn't use the LW in tandem with Lennon. So they've asked about LM's instead, Barry, Taylor, Drenthe etc but Jol comes back saying he'd prefer Robben or SWP............. and so it goes around. My personal view is that Jol knows there is a shortcoming on that side but doesn't know the best way of dealing with it with retaining some stability to the balance. It isn't helped by Jol having Keane having one of his untouchables who can't be dropped, hence Keane playing in MF against Everton with Bent and Berbatov up front. Who gets the credit for 5th place? Well, Jol obviously gets some, but there is the belief (and I share it) that with the squad that Comolli put together, any reasonable manager should have been capable of getting a European place. So, on that basis, I would put the bulk with Comolli, some to Jol. Incidentally, one credible ITK is saying Jol could be gone today. Not surprising, I am getting nothing from my sister-in-law so I'm as much in the dark as the next man. Thanks MJ good read. On another level the wage structure imo has held Spurs back and I think without it there is no doubt in my mind you would have had top 4 in one of the last two seasons. But clearly that would have had consequences on the long term project. Of interest reg Comolli things.. COMOLLI'S SIGNINGS Comolli has delievered in bringing a number of players to White Hart Lane in his two years at the club... THE HITS: Dimitar Berbatov - £10.9m from Bayer Leverkusen, Pascal Chambonda - £5.25m from Wigan THE MISSES: Benoit Assou-Ekottu - £3.5m from Lens, Didier Zokora - £8.2m from St Etienne, Ricardo Rocha - £3.3m from Benfica, Dorian Dervitte - undisclosed from Lille, Hossam Ghaly - £3.25m from Feyenoord Personally, with the exception of Ghaly, I wouldn't describe any of your named misses as such. There have been many better players who have struggled in the first season, Drogba and Henry readily come to mind, and both Zokora and Rocha have spoken of their shock at the pace of the premiership. Whether they eventually adjust only time will tell, but if they don't it will be because they are good players not suited to the premiership, not simply bad players. BAE and Dervite have both had serious injuries, especially with Dervite whose knee had to be reconstructed after a really bad ACL. Still debateable whether he will play again. JJ wasn't a Comolli signing, he was inbetween DoFs and arrived on the recommendation of SBR who was advising Levy at the time. To Comolli's hits I would add Malbranque, Taarabt, Boateng (from the one match I've seen him in) and Kaboul, plus I do believe Bale will turn out to be one of his best signings. The wage structure is a funny one. On the face of it, it holds Spurs back but we do still sign good players, Bent, Berbatov and Zokora all turning down more money from West Ham, Man Utd and Arsenal respectively. It does show that those players aren't just turning up for the money.