The Spurs Blog

Martin Jol has expressed his frustration with the lack of goals his team are producing this season.

He said: “In the first half we controlled play and we should have scored. We didn’t and we were left with that awkward feeling again,”

“We did well against Liverpool and Manchester United in a similar way but we have to start putting the ball in the net.

“The second half was totally different. We had to reorganise twice at the back with Michael Dawson going off injured and Calum Davenport being sent off.

“They put us under pressure and we could have lost in the end but overall I can live with a point and that opening 45 minutes we looked a decent team again.”

Martin Jol we made life difficult for ourselves in their 2-1 victory over Portsmouth at White Hart Lane yesterday.

Jol said: “We made it difficult for ourselves because I thought in the first half we played some good stuff and scored early which helps obviously.

“They had a great chance late in the second half but it was a great save from Robinson.

“I knew it would be difficult but we stuck to it, the defence and goalkeeper were terrific and in the end on the chances I think we deserved to win.”

I agree Marty

Martin Jol has expressed his delight to have re-signed cult hero Mido to the club on a permanent deal.

Jol told the club’s official website: “We’ve been tracking Mido since his loan ended and we were always keen to bring him back.

“Roma took some persuading and I’m delighted to have him in the squad.

“He knows I like him as a player, his strength in the air and his mentality. It’s an excellent addition to the squad and our striking options are now complete.”

Mido added: “I’m very happy to be back. It was and it always will be a great honour for me to play for Tottenham.

“I always knew in my heart I would be coming back. It is a fantastic move for me, I have some good friends here and it will be good to be back with the lads. I saw them training today and I’m looking forward to working with Martin and Chris again.

“I can’t wait to pull on a Tottenham shirt, to play at the Lane and score some goals.”

Martin Jol has expressed his disappointment following the 0-2 defeat against 10-man Everton at White Hart Lane.

He said: “I thought today after the sending off it would be our day, but it is very disappointing especially after going down 1-0,”

“All credit to them they tried to outfight us and they got a lot of confidence from 1-0 and you have to play your football but we never did.

“If you play against ten men it is easy to pressure, but even that we didn’t do today - but we have a couple of new players in and you have to learn quickly in England.

“Today was difficult because we could not play to our strengths and a few players looked a bit tired.

“I still think we could have had a win, if we didn’t concede but when you concede against ten-men it is always difficult.”

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.”

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.”

Tottenham manager Martin Jol has praised the performances of his team during pre-season following their 2-1 victory over Spanish club Real Sociedad.

The win gives Spurs their seventh win this summer and keeps them undefeated coming into the new campaign.

Jol said: “Last season we did well, didn’t lose a game and this summer has been the same, it couldn’t have gone much better”

“It doesn’t mean anything in terms of results in pre-season but it’s always a good sign if you can win games, especially with a lot of players and we’ve used a lot of players in pre-season. A few players completed their second 90-minute games as well, so that was good.”

When asked about the individual performances of his team Jol added: “Jermain is looking sharp and scoring goals and that’s what we want from him.

“I was happy with Aaron Lennon playing in two roles - on the right and in the hole - and that was something I liked.”

“Robbie Keane wasn’t available to play in that role and we missed five players with Ledley King, Teemu Tainio, Andy Reid and Wayne Routledge out as well.

“We have to work on one or two things but quality-wise I think we’re getting there and we showed again that we can win games using the full squad.”

Marty Jol has dismissed any speculation linking us with defender Roberto Ayala AND Inter Milan speedster Martins.

Both players have been heavily linked to the club over the summer and both seem likely to move on from their current clubs before the transfer window closes.

Martin Jol has insisted that he does not have any ill feelings towards want-away Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick.

“No, not at all,” said Jol

“Michael Carrick was always a terrific servant to this club and he never moaned even when we told him he had to stay a couple of weeks ago.

“The only thing he said was that he wanted to go to Manchester United for the challenge and Man Utd is a terrific club.

“In the end they had to compensate us and good luck to him.

“Michael is an honest lad and hopefully he will do as well for them as he did for us.”