Martin Lol

Just about all signed by Arnesen have now gone.

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.

A retrospective panel to consider incidents in the same way that Rugby League look at high tackles and players on charge. A penalty of a 3 or 5 match ban would eliminate the problem within weeks.

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.

And there was me thinking Comolli was the best thing since sliced bread! As I've said for the past 3 days or so, Jol's friction with Comolli is nothing new since Jol wanted a bigger say in who was being bought, especially SWP at £17m. His failure to convince either Comolli or Levy that it would be £17m well spent has done nothing to help. It's well known that Kemsley never wanted Jol appointed in the first place. The 'news' being leaked from the management camp that Jol spoke to Newcastle 18 months or so ago to replace Souness, may be justification for Spurs that they should speak to Ramos, or it may simply be a smokescreen to give the Jol supporters a reason to think their man isn't all he's cracked up to be. I've no idea whether that tale is true or not but what is certain is that the whole saga is getting dirtier by the day and it's not going to end in harmony and light breaking out.

Wants to come to the Premiership, was lined up to replace Jol if he had opted to join Ajax. Would be earning significantly more than at Sevilla (no salary caps for coaches) but would be giving up CL for aspirations to get into the CL. The indications are he would be willing to pick up the baton. Spurs fans are extremely divided on whether they want to see Ramos come in. It's not clear cut like saying 'the manager's crap, let's get rid'. You his agent like? I'm not bothered whether Jol goes or not or whether Ramos comes or not. Sure there is unrest behind the scenes but only the board really know how much and how easily it can be resolved. I'd trust Levy to do what is best for the club (and his ownership share) so I'll accept whatever he opts to do. It's not as though I could do anything about it with my 100 shares!!

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.

Wants to come to the Premiership, was lined up to replace Jol if he had opted to join Ajax. Would be earning significantly more than at Sevilla (no salary caps for coaches) but would be giving up CL for aspirations to get into the CL. The indications are he would be willing to pick up the baton. Spurs fans are extremely divided on whether they want to see Ramos come in. It's not clear cut like saying 'the manager's crap, let's get rid'.

Having just seen Marca's video and photos, no doubt that John Alexander (Company Secretary) and Mike Ashley's best mate Paul Kemsley (Deputy Chairman) were there. Of course they might have decided to go to Madrid for a couple of San Miguels....................

Well, it's all over the Sunday papers. This is the NOTW's take on it: SEVILLE boss Juande Ramos is the man Spurs want to replace Martin Jol. A Tottenham delegation met Ramos on Friday night and are convinced the in-demand Spaniard wants to take over at White Hart Lane. That leaves Jol in an untenable position after civil war broke out at Spurs. The Dutchman's relationship with chairman Daniel Levy has completely disintegrated after clashes with sporting director Damien Comolli. A source close to White Hart Lane admitted: "Jol and Comolli don't get on but Levy is adamant the structure WILL remain in place. "If push comes to shove then he will take Comolli's side, there's no doubt about it. "The role of the sporting director is set in stone at the club but the coach can be replaced." The Dutchman has never been comfortable with Comolli's appointment. Jol reports to Comolli, who oversees the buying and selling of players — and that has brought them into direct conflict. It has escalated into outright war with the pair barely able to disguise their contempt for each other. That has brought Jol into confrontation with Levy who insists the coach MUST work with Comolli. I understand Jol feels that two players recruited last season — Didier Zokora and Ricardo Rocha — were mistakes by Comolli. The failure to sign a top-class left-winger has also irritated Jol, although the club are chasing Matt Taylor from Portsmouth. Comolli has questioned some of Jol's methods, tactics and team selection. That has been passed on to Levy, who has found it increasingly difficult to communicate with his manager. Jol knew he would go into the new campaign under the spotlight, given the enhanced expectations at Tottenham, who have finished fifth in each of the last two years. But the season got off to a disastrous start with defeats by Sunderland and Everton. Questions are still being asked despite yesterday's 4-0 win over Derby. On Friday, Coral bookmakers suspended betting on him being the first Premier League boss to be sacked after "suspect" moves in the market. Jol will point to a crippling injury list, having lost Ledley King, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Michael Dawson, Younes Kaboul, Teemu Tainio, Dimitar Berbatov and Benoit Assou-Ekotto. He had crisis talks with Levy at the end of last week but the pair are set to have another showdown this week. Most of it is pretty accurate. Jol did have a lot of high hopes that were never really going to be achievable, Robben or Nani for the LW, although we got closer to Nani than I would have thought. The fact remains that Jol wanted one of those 2 and got the arsehole because he didn't get either.

To indecisive to take us further is the view of those that matter, not just what has occurred in the first 2 games. Absolutely no doubt that when he does go, the press and media will immediately go along with the aspect you've picked up on. Not a lot of difference with the Jol/Ramos scenario with that of Ranieri/Mourinho imo. Doesn't mean I wouldn't have a lot of sympathy for Jol as I did with Ranieri before him.

Winning 4-0 I don't think will save Jol. Although Ramos has denied it, Marca snapped him in Madrid for the Super Cup with John Alexander, the Company Secretary at Spurs........... and also the one who is responsible for the fine detail in contracts. My guess is that Ramos will be in place before the resumption of the Premiership following the international break. Cut throat business. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.marca.com/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmarca%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26ie%3DUTF-8 Juande denies contacts with the Tottenham The sevillista present time happened in the morning of Saturday through the own name of Juande Ramos. In the edition of this Saturday, the daily “Sport Stage” published compromising photographies in which of it saw the technician of the sevillistas in his car and entering the Hotel Alfonso XIII, where, according to is published in the metropolitan newspaper, Juande maintained a meeting with emissaries of the Tottenham English Hotspur. In the previous press conference to the return match of Supercopa of Spain that will dispute east Sunday in Madrid, the technician was asked for instantaneous happiness and the supposed meeting. Juande was dedicated to deny all the published one and affirmed that the only thing that it went to do to the Sevillian hotel was to have drinks with friends. The intrahistory of this fact gives still more of himself. The Totenham hastily looked for a spare part for its present technician due to badly the beginning of the season in the Premier of the English club. “Spurs” sent to their technical secretary to Seville to try to conduct an operation lightning that ended Juande Ramos in the bench of the English; nevertheless, the technician did not reach an agreement when not being able to make the stampede at this point of preseason, with the beginning of Liga around the corner. Although the own Juande has denied the published news, the sources that made the photographies affirm that they saw the technician in company of John Alexander, secretary technical of “spurs” and known in the sevillista capital for being the person in charge to manage the arrival to the capital the past Andalusian of the Tottenham year when Seville and the English saw the faces in the Glass of the UEFA. Of which he was spoken or nothing treated is known, but the own technician has not taken in denying this history, even though taught the newspaper to him to the face. Juande alleged that always it is wanted to destabilize “Whenever there is an important party leaves some news this type. I do not know if it is for destabilizing. The attention we have it in the encounter and I deny the news totally”, said in reference to its assumption contact with emissaries of the Tottenham in a hotel of Seville.

Fair comment. I think Levy would agree with you that top 5 isn't good enough, tbh, I know that, but the top 4 got themselves where they are now and it is a lot easier to maintain their position when you already have the players of the right calibre and it's only fine tuning of the squad to be done. Ithink it will only be a matter of time before he goes, the papers tomorrow are apparently commenting on unrest in the dressing room. That really is the start of the long slippery slope for him. He's not trying to help himself though by all accounts. Keane will be playing upfront tomorrow with Bent apparently whilst Defoe kicks his heels inspite of being in good form in training, certainly better than Keane. Also sounds like Routledge has got the nod to fill the space in MF. With thinking like that, his departure may be fairly speedy. Still should be far too strong for Derby, but you never know................

It could be argued that we were unlucky not to get a point at the SOL but the simple truth is that Sunderland had far more desire to win than Spurs and that reflected in the general play with Spurs not having a serious shot of note on target. Although Everton have a poor record at WHL, they do also play a style which will always give them a good chance of coming away with a more than respectable result. There are obviously the similarities between the start of this season and last, but the reasons behind it are very different. Last season after having achieved a 5th place finish, some thought that they simply had to turn up to get a decent result. It took a few matches for the message to sink in but this season the reasons are different. New players have come in who have strengthened the squad but Jol has opted to stick with those he calls 'his untouchables'. It used to be just Carrick (and rightly so on his performances) but since Carrick's departure, Robinson, Jenas and Keane have all now got that mantle irrespective of whether they are playing brilliantly, badly or indifferently. All three have been average in pre-season and there's no improvement now the season has started. Keane playing in MF on Tuesday because a) Bent and Berbatov were the strikers and b) Keane is an untouchable was farcical. That's caused unrest amongst some of the players, Comolli and Levy are seeing their efforts undermined because Jol wants a major say in what players are signed and at what cost. Jol is adamant SWP at £17m would be the final piece of the jigsaw for 4th place. That really is a joke when Lennon currently occupies that berth, we need a strong centgral MF (Boateng may be the answer but there again, maybe not) and there is no LM at all. SWP would benefit the squad but the final piece of the jigsaw? Not IMHO. The DoF/Head Coach system works well when everyone knows what their role is and sticks to it. By wanting a bigger involvement Jol is the one upsetting the balance within the club and he'll never get the better of Levy. I agree there's no reason why we still shouldn't be challenging for 4th place, but in reality, if this doesn't get sorted out pretty quickly, any European competition may possibly be out of reach, let alone CL.

No knee jerk reaction. I agree the first choice team and the squad are both stronger than last season but there are too many side issues going on which is pulling everyone in all directions. Comolli reckons Taarabt should be getting involved, Jol won't pick him because Comolli won't sanction signing SWP, Comolli not interested at £17m (which is what Chelsea want), and so it goes on. There are fit players in the squad who could make up a balanced team but with the infighting, the most lopsided teams are being sent out. The friction has got to the dressing room and the lack of fight/effort/interest in the first 2 matches has been there for all to see. On paper, Spurs' fit players should have been good enough to have seen off Sunderland and Everton. The reality was that Spurs were secondbest in almost every department of the game in both matches and deservedly lost both. Between now and the end of October there are 9 league matches Derby h Man Utd a Fulham a Arsenal h Bolton a Villa h Liverpool a Newcastle a Blackburn h If we can't beat Derby tomorrow, there is little likelihood of winning any of the others. Personally, if we lose to Derby I think Jol could be gone on Monday even though he was told he had 3 matches to produce 'significant improvement'.

2 games in and nothing I've seen yet convinces me, they were atrocious in every way the other night and a few of their players seem to be going through the motions which would worry me if I were a Spurs fan. They won't finish outside of the top 10 or fall heavily, they have enough individual talent to pick them up points, but they may struggle to finish in the top 6 given the strength around them, IF they don't sort themselves out sharpish. 2 games in and it seems Jol is slowly but surely losing the fans and that's always a bad sign for any team, as once that becomes a feature, "we'll win the next few games man" becomes a "even if we win the next few games, we'll come a cropper again" and that's when people on masse start expecting the worse and things just snowball from there, you can see it looming. They remind me so much of our side under SBR but as already stated, without the class we had. Can see the wheels falling off in a similar way if I'm honest. I was very impressed with Everton mind, very impressed. That Arteta is a star, a really classy player. They'll do well to hang on to him. Defensively they look solid and up front they have enough about them to keep the opposition on their toes, while in midfield they are organised, tactically astute it seems and have quite a good mix, with Osman maturing into a tidy player. However they'd be f***** without Andy Johnson and Arteta who make Moyes' system work, without them it falls to bits and because they don't have the depth another system or replacements just isn't the same. The fitness of those two are absolute key for Everton. Totally agree with all of that. There's a lot of injuries, true, but the missing bodies are opening up old wounds at the club with Jol now wanting a bigger say in who is signed. Our best player by far in pre-season was Taarabt, a creative attacking MF whose place is currently occupied by Malbranque. No complaint with that but Jol's refusing to put him in the squad, let alone start with him. Not in the squad for the first 2 matches, won't be in for Derby either by all accounts. I can't see Jol surviving the season, in fact, I doubt whether he will see out September. Ramos would already be our coach if Levy agreed that Monchi was included in the package. Levy rates Comolli very highly indeed but the idea of a Head Coach and DoF working together in harmony may prove to be irresistable. No doubt that Ramos and Monchi (who was interviewed when Comolli was appointed) would make the move together but the season for Spurs will be over by the time this all gets resolved. 9th-12th with Berbatov going in the summer would be my guess.

Pretty accurate assessment although anyone would look shaky alongside Gardner. Kaboul will be fine imo. The problem is Jol's reluctance to drop/rest/rotate Keane when he patently not doing the job. The same can be said for Robinson and Jenas, there are now too many players knowing they are automatic selections irrespective of their performances, the comfort zone has become too great. Injuries have hurt but that it what there is a squad for. Jol has to start turning things around and quickly. I understand he has Derby, Man Utd and Fulham to show significant improvement and he's been told that. That is all.

21 yr old RW/striker linked with Sunderland, Fulham and Wolves. He did play a bit for Coventry and another team for a little, came over too young by all accounts. Chris Hughton says he's a decent standard though not as good as Kevin Doyle. He's 22 in 2 days time and also played at Cheltenham, that well known breeding ground for Irish internationals!

21 yr old RW/striker linked with Sunderland, Fulham and Wolves. He did play a bit for Coventry and another team for a little, came over too young by all accounts. Chris Hughton says he's a decent standard though not as good as Kevin Doyle.

Because he\\\'s not good enough yet. and will never be good enough Agree Bramble will never be good enough, but Taylor??? I would include him in the squad for Germany to make a debut from the bench. I think Dawson has just got the edge right now but I can see Taylor being better by the end of the season.

Excellent window for Newcastle imho bearing in mind this is the first window for manager and owner alike with not a lot of time to really formulate a strategy. In spite of that, done really well with the squad now needing fine tuning in the rest of this window/next window rather than continuing a major overhaul. Be interesting to see how long it takes SA to get them to gel.

Yeah because Jol has never been told what to do! It's not Jol's job to buy and sell players or set prices. He has an input obviously but the final word is not his nor has it ever been so.

The one thing in that article that would give me real cause for concern if I were are a Newcastle fan was the comment "Dyer, who is desperate to move south to be closer to his family, last night found his hopes of joining West Ham fading when Newcastle's new owner Mike Ashley bumped up the price from £5m to £7m. ......................... .............There is a feeling on Tyneside that billionaire businessman Ashley is flexing his muscles in one of the first major transfers since he took control." If I were Allardyce I would be seriously pissed off if the owner started to dabble in areas that the manger's recommendation should be followed. If you're not going to follow the advice given by the manager, what's the point of the manager being there? Maybe there is a real intention to get a DoF in and have Big Sam as the Head Coach .................. assuming he would wish to stay to keep that role.

I was no more boasting about Rocha or Gardner than any Newcastle fan would have done about Bramble last season. Looking at them for just a short period will display their defensive frailties, although I do accept that more cover is needed with King's and Dervite's injury concerns. It's more the irony of lining up yet another central defender while we've only been waiting for someone to fill LM for the last 3 years.

Absolutely gutted. Is there another manager out there like Bruce who thought ghastly is worth £3m? Don't think so.