SPURS NEWS:

Tottenham boss Martin Jol has warmed to the idea of a hectic Christmas schedule as his side close in on a top-six place in the Barclays Premiership.

source - sportinglife

Spurs head into the new year competing on four fronts, and their progression in the Carling Cup and UEFA Cup has tested the squad Dutchman Jol has assembled.

They have a 100% record in cup competitions this season but also tend to perform well the following weekend when returning to the Premiership, the defeat at Reading being the exception.

While some other managers would prefer a break over the festive period, Jol has embraced the tradition since his appointment two years ago, and Saturday's trip to Newcastle also offers a chance to challenge for a place in the top six.

"No, you have to play for the crowds sometimes and tradition," said Jol when asked whether there should be a winter break like in his native Holland.

"The only thing I would like is the international schedule to change because I feel that costs us a lot of points."

Spurs could be without England winger Aaron Lennon with an inflammation to his knee, but Jol is confident he has the squad to cope with the congested schedule. They also play Aston Villa and Liverpool before meeting Portsmouth on January 1.

Ledley King was rested for the midweek Carling Cup win over Southend and should return, while Jol has Hossam Ghaly and Didier Zokora ready to return to action to combat any tiredness in the ranks.

"We played in the Carling Cup but Newcastle played as well and had a difficult game against Chelsea, so there is no difference," Jol added.

"We always tend to do well over there, two years ago we had a win, last season was difficult because we had five or six players out.

"Hopefully we can get a good result because I feel that over the last five or six weeks we've done better."

The win over Chelsea last month came after a European victory over Club Bruges and Jol has been encouraged by how his players have not shown a hangover from midweek fixtures.

"It's a good feeling because they are fit enough and the squad is big enough to play a lot of games," he added. "That is always a worry because it could have cost us against Southend.

"That is the strength of Spurs. All the other teams who are big or at the top, they all have big squads."

He added: "Until now I feel we have done well as we're in all the competitions, we're still in the UEFA Cup, Carling Cup and seventh in the league.

"I feel that if the schedule is the same as it is now, it'll be difficult but I'm very happy with the progress because we always do well in the game after playing in Europe or the Carling Cup.

"So if that is the same after the winter period, hopefully we'll be in the top six."

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson is also embracing the Christmas schedule, and he told Sky Sports News: "Hopefully we'll get a decent result against Newcastle and it will be a springboard for the rest of December.

"They've had an indifferent start to the season but it'll be a tough game, they're getting players back from injury."

Robinson played 120 minutes against Southend on Wednesday but added: "In the grand scheme of things it's only half an hour more and that's not a lot for a professional footballer, the games are coming thick and fast and we're doing more playing than training and getting used to it."