mawspurs
10-08-2007, 11:34 PM
Source: teamtalk
Martin Jol believes he has assembled a strikeforce with the different attributes required to fire Tottenham into the top four.
Although the Dutchman considers first opponents Sunderland as possible dark horses of the Premier League, he feels he has the forwards to upset any defence.
As skipper Ledley King pointed out earlier in the week, the only similarity between Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe is that they all score goals.
"Bent is one of the best in England for stretching defences, Berbatov is probably one of the best targetmen, Robbie Keane is one of the most complete players," explained boss Jol.
"Jermain Defoe is one of the best finishers in England so we've got it all.
"In previous years, I had an idea and I looked at [Andy] Johnson and [Henri] Camara and they caused us a few problems but I thought 'you can't have it all' and now we've got it all so it's very very strange, for the first time."
Jol now has to find a way to accommodate his four strikers, with the lunchtime clash at the Stadium of Light in the opening game of the Premier League season offering his first chance to combine two or three of them in a competitive match.
Younes Kaboul is likely to start at centre-back but Gareth Bale misses out and Kevin-Prince Boateng is short of match-sharpness, meaning Spurs could have a similar look to last season.
"This year, we've signed more players but if you see my line-up, I don't think a lot has changed, to be honest," he said.
The aim is to break into the Champions League places and Jol likes to look at his options in attack as matching the top teams, rather than causing constant selection dilemmas.
"That is the problem we all have," he said. "You might not know (Claudio) Pizarro well but look at Chelsea.
"Liverpool have got five, all these guys have got problems but it's a luxury problem so I don't see it as a real problem."
Saturday's hosts Sunderland are one of the clubs to have shown interest in Spurs striker Mido, who is expected to leave White Hart Lane.
"He must make his mind up and he can probably choose and that's a very good situation," said Jol.
Mido's chances at Spurs were limited last season, with Jol adding: "The reason is simple. Berbatov is here. Berbatov was one of the best talents in the league.
"Mido wants to play all the time and he's one of those players who needs rhythm so I can understand it."
Meanwhile, Spurs have confirmed that Bent will wear the number 23 this season, which has been worn by Sol Campbell and Michael Carrick in previous seasons.
Martin Jol believes he has assembled a strikeforce with the different attributes required to fire Tottenham into the top four.
Although the Dutchman considers first opponents Sunderland as possible dark horses of the Premier League, he feels he has the forwards to upset any defence.
As skipper Ledley King pointed out earlier in the week, the only similarity between Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane, Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe is that they all score goals.
"Bent is one of the best in England for stretching defences, Berbatov is probably one of the best targetmen, Robbie Keane is one of the most complete players," explained boss Jol.
"Jermain Defoe is one of the best finishers in England so we've got it all.
"In previous years, I had an idea and I looked at [Andy] Johnson and [Henri] Camara and they caused us a few problems but I thought 'you can't have it all' and now we've got it all so it's very very strange, for the first time."
Jol now has to find a way to accommodate his four strikers, with the lunchtime clash at the Stadium of Light in the opening game of the Premier League season offering his first chance to combine two or three of them in a competitive match.
Younes Kaboul is likely to start at centre-back but Gareth Bale misses out and Kevin-Prince Boateng is short of match-sharpness, meaning Spurs could have a similar look to last season.
"This year, we've signed more players but if you see my line-up, I don't think a lot has changed, to be honest," he said.
The aim is to break into the Champions League places and Jol likes to look at his options in attack as matching the top teams, rather than causing constant selection dilemmas.
"That is the problem we all have," he said. "You might not know (Claudio) Pizarro well but look at Chelsea.
"Liverpool have got five, all these guys have got problems but it's a luxury problem so I don't see it as a real problem."
Saturday's hosts Sunderland are one of the clubs to have shown interest in Spurs striker Mido, who is expected to leave White Hart Lane.
"He must make his mind up and he can probably choose and that's a very good situation," said Jol.
Mido's chances at Spurs were limited last season, with Jol adding: "The reason is simple. Berbatov is here. Berbatov was one of the best talents in the league.
"Mido wants to play all the time and he's one of those players who needs rhythm so I can understand it."
Meanwhile, Spurs have confirmed that Bent will wear the number 23 this season, which has been worn by Sol Campbell and Michael Carrick in previous seasons.