The Spurs Blog

Marty Jol has confirmed that we have tabled a bid for Middlesbrough star Stewart Downing.

He said: “Stewart Downing that is somebody we would like to have in our squad and he would be a very good player for us and would give us something extra on the left,”

“We have put a very good offer in, our highest offer and hopefully they will accept and if not it would be a pity.

“We need a settled team and then you can work on the strength of the squad, if you put in a bid for a left wing player everyone realises where we are trying to get someone.”

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has us that £5 million will not be enough to land winger Luis Boa Morte .

Coleman said: “The message to Spurs or anybody else interested in our captain is if they’re seriously interested they have to make a serious offer,”

“A serious offer for Luis Boa Morte isn’t £5 million. We haven’t had an offer that’s anywhere near what his price is.

“If they are interested in him they’ll have to pay. Bear in mind Gary McSheffrey went from Coventry to Birmingham for £4 million. He’s a good player in The Championship, but has no Premiership experience.

“Compare him with Boa Morte - a lad who has played over 250 games in The Premiership over the last five years and a Portuguese international.

“The price would have to be big to lose a player of Boa’s class.

“If someone offered a staggering amount of money for Boa, then I’d have to ask the chairman how much can I have back to invest in other players.

“From a football side I wouldn’t want to sell him at any price, but I have to tell the chairman what has been offered.

“We could maybe invest in two or three new players with the money, but it would have to be a lot of money to sell Boa.”

Martin Jol has praised forward Robbie Keane following our convincing 2-0 victory over Sheffield United.

Jol said: “Keane’s had so many good games,”

“The problem was they played with five at the back but Robbie’s so clever, he dropped off at the right moments, he turned and faced and (Dimitar) Berbatov played well and we caused a lot of problems.”

In regards to the battle for starting spots upfront (Between Defoe, Berbatov and Keane) Jol added: “It’s not a problem, it’s a luxury because if they are injured like Robbie Keane was you would miss them so for us it is pleasing when everybody is available and wants to play for us,”

“They never moan, they always give 100 percent and Jermain Defoe did that today. Unfortunately he didn’t score.”

He added: “We didn’t play well (against Bolton) and we had to put it straight but luckily enough we had a game tonight, Tuesday, it’s better not to wait and we can bounce back straight away.

“I thought that was what we did, it was a very good team performance and everybody was pleased.

“We want to do well, but we’ve got a different team now. Last year we had a settled team but now we have to work to be a settled team as soon as possible.

“Saturday against Bolton said everything but today I think we bounced back with one of the best performances so I was very pleased.”

Dimitar Berbatov has reflected on the disappointing 2-0 opening day defeat away at Bolton and promised an improved performance against Sheffield United.

He said: “Bolton are a strong, physical team. We have seen the first goal in the changing room and it is clear there was a foul against us,”

“We didn’t play well and we will need to play better in the next game.

“We knew how they would play, we tried to counter it, but unfortunately it didn’t happen for us.

“They fought the whole time and we were not strong enough on the day, but our second game will be better.”

Martin Jol wants to see an improved performance (DONT WE ALL) from his team against Sheffield United tomorrow following the disappointing start to the new campaign away at Bolton on the weekend.

Jol said: “It’s an important game for us, it would be anyway but even more so after the defeat against Bolton,”

“We’re back at home, hopefully we won’t concede two goals in the first part of the match and we’ll play our own game. You will then see a different Tottenham.

“The first goal at Bolton was so disappointing – it was a foul on Calum Davenport but things like that can happen in football.

“This is a home game, we’re back at the Lane with the crowd behind us and hopefully we’ll get three points on the board. We know it will be another tough test though.”

 “Sheffield are a bit different to Bolton,”

“They play with Webber on the flank, Tonge, Armstrong on the left who plays infield, Ifill, Jagielka – they have really neat ball players in there. However, they will probably play in the same system as Bolton so in that respect they will be similar.”

Ajax full-back Zdenek Grygera has revealed his wish to leave Dutch giants Ajax to move to a bigger club this summer and admitted that he would welcome a move to work with Martin Jol and Edgar Davids at Spurs.

He said: “I know nothing specific. Tottenham is a high-quality team but England would not be my first choice, although I am not saying no,”

“If you are choosing a club, you always consider if you know someone already there.

“Tottenham have a Dutch coach and also Edgar Davids - they would be able to understand me.

“I know from my own experience how important Tomas Galasek was when I came to Ajax.”

“If there is an interesting and specific offer from a club that has a good reputation in Europe, I would not be against it.

“I have one year left on my contract and I am not willing to extend it so my future will be resolved next summer at the latest.”

Martin Jol has admitted that his side were overpowered by Bolton in their opening day defeat at The Reebok Stadium.

Jol told reporters: “We had good results in the summer, they didn’t so we were confident but they were a strong side physically and you saw that especially with the first goal,”

“The first goal was a big disappointment and there will be a lot of confusion this season,”

“The directive is that the attacking players will be protected but we were not allowed to play the ball out of the field.

“You have to compete with them but they were stronger than us.

“It is very difficult to play against and they kept it tight after going 2-0 ahead.

“It was a terrific strike from Campo, and he has done that before, but we should have blocked the shot.”

New-boy Dimitar Berbatov has expressed his confidence that the club can achieve a higher Premiership position than they did last year to qualify for the Champions League.

He said: “We’ve played many pre-season friendlies and the most encouraging thing was that we’ve won all of them but one,”

“I know there are no easy games but I’m confident we’ll start with a win over Bolton on Saturday.

“We have very good players and I think we can finish among the top four teams and qualify for the Champions League.”

Charlton Athletic have completed the signing of Spurs midfielder Andy Reid on a four-year deal.

Charlton manager Ian Dowie said: “Everyone is aware that the Premier League is about quality and ability on the ball. So we are delighted to clinch Andy’s signing.”

Tottenham are reportedly watching the progress of Southampton defender Gareth Bale.

Bale, 17, is a full Welsh international and has already appeared for the Saints this term.