mawspurs
01-12-2006, 08:42 PM
SPURS NEWS
Martin Jol says he still cannot bear to watch Tottenham's defeat to West Ham that allowed neighbours Arsenal to sneak into fourth position on the final day of last season.
Source: Sky Sports
The North London rivals meet for the first time this season on Saturday, live on PremPlus, with memories of the mystery virus that scuppered Spurs' bid to qualify for the UEFA Champions League still raw at White Hart Lane.
The dramatic events of 7th May helped prevent a decisive shift in the balance of power in North London, as a sick Spurs side fell to a 2-1 defeat at the same time Arsenal were beating Wigan 4-2 in the last game at Highbury.
Knowing his side went so close to reaching the Champions League before unforeseen events snatched their hopes away still haunts Jol, and the Dutchman has admitted he may never get around to watching the video of the game that cost his side a top four finish.
"I didn't want to talk to other people for probably the next three weeks," Jol said. "I touched my wife but didn't speak to her!
"I watch all the games on video but that game... it was last game of the season and there was no purpose in analysing that game any more. I don't feel I will ever watch that game.
"After that we realised that we had a very good season, 65 points, and it will take a hell of an effort for any other Spurs team, even us, to beat that in future.
"It was probably the best thing that happened to us, as people realised they took us seriously."
Last season Spurs went close to ending a 12-year run without an away win against their great rivals as Thierry Henry equalised with six minutes to go at Highbury, and the 1-1 draw also witnessed extraordinary scenes as Jol went head-to-head with Arsene Wenger on the touchline.
The Dutchman says he will shake his Arsenal counterpart's hand before kick-off on Saturday, but he does not enjoy a close relationship with the Gunners boss.
"We don't speak. My mates are Chrissy (Hughton, assistant manager). I don't have mates, maybe Mourinho. Nine out of 10 I like, (Chris) Coleman I like."
A win on Saturday would put Spurs level with their bitter rivals in the Premiership table, and Jol has highlighted Dimitar Berbatov as a potential match-winner for his side.
The Bulgarian international is currently in fine form and his manager at White Hart Lane believes the striker has the potential to have a similar influence as Gunners captain Thierry Henry - who will miss Saturday's game due to a neck injury.
"He (Berbatov) has been here now for three months and is learning his trade, Thierry Henry is probably the best footballer in Europe along with Ronaldinho.
"They [Arsenal] are building a new team and that is the difference between them and Manchester United and Chelsea.
"We have the same task as Wenger, to build a very good team.
"If five or six players in your line-up changes (from last season) then you start again.
"It is still about a specific quality - Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Henry - if you want to be a top team you need one or two top players.
"Maybe [Aaron] Lennon or Berbatov could be that, but that is written for the future."
Meanwhile fellow summer signing Steed Malbranque has admitted he will be out to emulate former Fulham team-mate Luis Boa Morte on Saturday after the Cottagers midfielder helped orchestrate a 2-1 defeat for The Gunners on Wednesday night.
"I am going to try and do the same and create problems down the left," said Malbranque.
"I look at the results and I know they have had two bad results in the last two matches but it doesn't really make a difference that Fulham beat Arsenal - I really don't care.
"For me, the most important thing is to win on Saturday. It's a derby match and I think Arsenal players will be at 100 per cent."
Martin Jol says he still cannot bear to watch Tottenham's defeat to West Ham that allowed neighbours Arsenal to sneak into fourth position on the final day of last season.
Source: Sky Sports
The North London rivals meet for the first time this season on Saturday, live on PremPlus, with memories of the mystery virus that scuppered Spurs' bid to qualify for the UEFA Champions League still raw at White Hart Lane.
The dramatic events of 7th May helped prevent a decisive shift in the balance of power in North London, as a sick Spurs side fell to a 2-1 defeat at the same time Arsenal were beating Wigan 4-2 in the last game at Highbury.
Knowing his side went so close to reaching the Champions League before unforeseen events snatched their hopes away still haunts Jol, and the Dutchman has admitted he may never get around to watching the video of the game that cost his side a top four finish.
"I didn't want to talk to other people for probably the next three weeks," Jol said. "I touched my wife but didn't speak to her!
"I watch all the games on video but that game... it was last game of the season and there was no purpose in analysing that game any more. I don't feel I will ever watch that game.
"After that we realised that we had a very good season, 65 points, and it will take a hell of an effort for any other Spurs team, even us, to beat that in future.
"It was probably the best thing that happened to us, as people realised they took us seriously."
Last season Spurs went close to ending a 12-year run without an away win against their great rivals as Thierry Henry equalised with six minutes to go at Highbury, and the 1-1 draw also witnessed extraordinary scenes as Jol went head-to-head with Arsene Wenger on the touchline.
The Dutchman says he will shake his Arsenal counterpart's hand before kick-off on Saturday, but he does not enjoy a close relationship with the Gunners boss.
"We don't speak. My mates are Chrissy (Hughton, assistant manager). I don't have mates, maybe Mourinho. Nine out of 10 I like, (Chris) Coleman I like."
A win on Saturday would put Spurs level with their bitter rivals in the Premiership table, and Jol has highlighted Dimitar Berbatov as a potential match-winner for his side.
The Bulgarian international is currently in fine form and his manager at White Hart Lane believes the striker has the potential to have a similar influence as Gunners captain Thierry Henry - who will miss Saturday's game due to a neck injury.
"He (Berbatov) has been here now for three months and is learning his trade, Thierry Henry is probably the best footballer in Europe along with Ronaldinho.
"They [Arsenal] are building a new team and that is the difference between them and Manchester United and Chelsea.
"We have the same task as Wenger, to build a very good team.
"If five or six players in your line-up changes (from last season) then you start again.
"It is still about a specific quality - Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Henry - if you want to be a top team you need one or two top players.
"Maybe [Aaron] Lennon or Berbatov could be that, but that is written for the future."
Meanwhile fellow summer signing Steed Malbranque has admitted he will be out to emulate former Fulham team-mate Luis Boa Morte on Saturday after the Cottagers midfielder helped orchestrate a 2-1 defeat for The Gunners on Wednesday night.
"I am going to try and do the same and create problems down the left," said Malbranque.
"I look at the results and I know they have had two bad results in the last two matches but it doesn't really make a difference that Fulham beat Arsenal - I really don't care.
"For me, the most important thing is to win on Saturday. It's a derby match and I think Arsenal players will be at 100 per cent."