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Jol 'proud' of Spurs regardless

Discussion in 'Spurscommunity Front Page News' started by mawspurs, Jan 16, 2007.

  • by mawspurs, Jan 16, 2007 at 7:27 PM

  • mawspurs Moderator

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    Tottenham boss Martin Jol insists he will be proud of his team even if they end up winning nothing this season.

    Spurs are in three cup competitions - they face Cardiff in an FA Cup third-round replay at home on Wednesday - and are in contention for a European place through the league despite losing two of their last three Premiership games.

    Jol, 51 on Tuesday, has been praised for building a team with a British spine and the Dutchman's work could be marked by bringing silverware to the club for the first time since 1999.

    They are in the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup and face rivals Arsenal in the last four of the Carling Cup, and Jol admits there is a risk of ending up with nothing despite such an exciting season.

    He also accepts that league form can suffer while his side are in the cups, and he said: "That is probably reality but if you told me we would win the FA Cup and nothing else then I'd be the happiest man in the world."

    Jol watched his side take the lead twice against Newcastle on Sunday only to lose 3-2, denting their hopes of breaking into the top six.

    "Up until the Newcastle game I was very proud of them - in the top seven and going places," said Jol.

    "If we had won it would have been part of a marvellous season.

    "Everyone was talking about Reading, Portsmouth and Bolton and we would have been there - and in the other three cups.

    "We are still in three cups and in the league, I feel if we learn from situations like against Newcastle, and with players coming back, I feel we will be strong enough to do something."

    Even if Spurs suffer heartbreak like Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 - the German side lost the league, cup and Champions League in three games - Jol is willing to take his chance in the bid for glory.

    "You could be in all the semi-finals of the cups - like Leverkusen had three finals and didn't win anything," he said. "If you lose they can say you're rubbish, but I'd still be proud of my team.

    "If we don't win anything you couldn't say we're useless but we want to stay in all competitions and are here in January. But sometimes like against Newcastle you can't say we help ourselves. We could have been a bit more professional at 2-1 up."

    Jol will be without Ledley King again as the skipper has not recovered from a bruised foot, but Robbie Keane is fit to start after recovering from a knee injury.

    Meanwhile, Spurs have been linked with a move for Watford youngster Ashley Young, who has been tipped as a solution to Jol's problem on the left side of his midfield.

    Celta Vigo winger Nene was also reported to have been watched but the Brazilian appears ready to stay at the Spanish club.

    "I am very happy at Celta," Nene told Eurosport. "But it is good knowing that an English club is interested in me.

    "I must remember that my contract does not end until 2011 which is the reason why my exit is going to depend on agreement between both clubs."
    mawspurs, Jan 16, 2007
    #1
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Comments

Discussion in 'Spurscommunity Front Page News' started by mawspurs, Jan 16, 2007.

  1. sebo_sek
    I am also of the opinion that by no means is anything lost. I really REALLY can see us winning the UEFA cup. That's the one Im interested in. The league cup would also be great and call me naive but I think we can get this double. The Arsenal semi makes me very excited as, I think, every true supporter. A legend making prospect there. In the UEFA I think only Werder can be a true threat, though maybe Stalteri can give us some insider info, like Im sure Berbi did against Leverkusen. I think the time has come for us to win something, but like Jol said, if we dont, then tough luck. There are many teams out there with a similar situation to us - transition. And the one factor I am proud of is consistency - yes consistency. Its not that we are poorer than last season. Its the fact that the likes of Portsmouth, Bolton, Everton have got much, much stronger and competition is growing. We are exactly where we should be. I think this season is much better than last - more games, more experience better prospects for silverware. Id take that over league place any day.
    sebo_sek, Jan 17, 2007
    #2
  2. masterblaster80
    After the defeat against newcastle, i had to remind myself of my personal expectation for the season, which is top 6 and a couple of good cup runs.

    and so far, we look good towards achieving those goals.

    helps with the disappointment of the loss
    masterblaster80, Jan 17, 2007
    #3
  3. adamsilver
    My aim for this season was at least quarters of every cup (inc uefa) and finishing in the top 6 of the prem. The one I want us to do the most is probably the top 6 of the prem, as it shows true consistency. Altho if you said top 7 and uefa cup winners I would be over the moon.

    I wonder what we will achieve.
    adamsilver, Jan 17, 2007
    #4
  4. Rooga
    Does anyone know if the UEFA cup winners automatically qualify for the competition again next season?
    Rooga, Jan 17, 2007
    #5
  5. sebo_sek
    Dont think so.
    sebo_sek, Jan 17, 2007
    #6
  6. midgetmanyid
    Yes they do qualify as holders, unless the winners gain Champions League qualification
    midgetmanyid, Jan 17, 2007
    #7
  7. Kurtzen
    Are you winding us up? Or, assuming Rambo signed?
    Kurtzen, Jan 17, 2007
    #8
  8. Rooga
    Thought so. Thanks for that.
    Rooga, Jan 17, 2007
    #9
  9. sebo_sek
    As always some people look at one third of a sentence and criticise and ignore the remaining ten lines. Pity
    sebo_sek, Jan 17, 2007
    #10
  10. aspear
    I would just like to say firstly I and most of the fans wish the Big Man a great belated birthday and I am sure the lads will give you a belated birthday present tonight.:clap:

    Also, considering the massive restructuring we are doing at the club both on the pitch and off it then to be in the position we are in now then we should praise they entire set up at the Spurs and encourage them and support them. Yes, we will have dissapointmemts and mistakes will be made but thats all part of the learning curve and is to be expected. We are improving with every game and if we play like we did against Newcastle in the rest of our Games then we are going to have a wicked season!!!!

    COYS!!!!!
    aspear, Jan 17, 2007
    #11
  11. AJ
    You have to admit that the Rambo-bit was quite funny though...
    AJ, Jan 17, 2007
    #12
  12. davidmatzdorf
    I believe so. When there was all the fuss-and-bother about Everton squeezing Liverpool out of the CL and the rules were changed as a result, I seem to recall reading that the problem did not apply in the UEFA Cup, i.e., the UEFA Cup holders qualify automatically for the following year.

    Not 100% certain, though.
    davidmatzdorf, Jan 17, 2007
    #13

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