Jol: time to prove Tottenham are potential winners
Spurs will reach their first final under Jol if they get through their two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal, who were under similar redevelopment under Arsene Wenger a decade ago.
Jol has been in charge at White Hart Lane for little over two years and despite his impact not being as explosive as Wenger’s, Spurs have made impressive strides since the Dutchman took over from Jacques Santini.
“You look at the names in hindsight and say ‘are you potential winners or are you average?” said Jol of the players at Arsenal during the start of Wenger’s reign.
“That is what we have to do. Paul Robinson has stayed, Robbie Keane extended his contract – all the players want to play for Spurs. Now it’s up to them to be potential winners.”
Young British players such as Tom Huddlestone and Aaron Lennon have established themselves at the club, while more senior players such as goalkeeper Robinson and striker Keane have committed their future to Spurs.
The inexperienced squad have achieved European qualification, but marking this era with silverware as well as consistency is a goal for Jol.
After winning the Dutch Cup as a player and manager, Jol believes there is a personal incentive for his players to get past Arsenal.
“What do we want?” asked the Dutchman. “Do we want to be potential winners like Robbie Keane, Jermain Defoe and Paul Robinson who want to play here? That is the only thing in football. The only thing I’m really proud of is that I was coach of the year, player of the year and won the cup in Holland. That is the only thing you think about.
“So we have to win something in our career, they have to win something. Otherwise you are sitting there in 35 or 40 years and there is nothing to come up with. The medals are not important, it’s the memories that are important.”
Spurs are also still in the UEFA Cup and FA Cup this season but despite the dream of silverware, Jol’s primary concern remains the development of his youngsters.
“We know that we won’t get the Lennons and Gerrards when they are 24 or 25,” said Jol. “No-one can. We want to have them in an early stage and then develop them as that isour only chance to get into the top four.
“If you see Arsenal, they probably have £135million turnover. We’ve got £70million turnover, that’s half. So for us it’s a great opportunity to identify them early, to develop them and still go to the top four, which is what we want.”
He added: “There is a focus on silverware in England, I focus on development. To be a good side, a top-six side.”
Jol is determined to make up for the last clash against Arsenal, a dismal debut at the Emirates Stadium even though the goals in a 3-0 defeat came after dubious refereeing decisions.
Wenger is expected to field his youngsters as he has done in previous rounds, but Jol is aware of the quality in reserve at Arsenal, particularly after their 6-3 win at Liverpool in the quarter-finals when Julio Baptista scored four times.
“It is their responsibility, but I feel that their second team, or kids, or reserves, is probably as strong as any other Premiership side outside of the top four,” said Jol.
“Baptista was transferred for €20m last year and he is playing for the kids. I was interested in him a few years ago but he did not have a passport. How many teams are there in England like Arsenal who can take a gamble and say ‘okay, we don’t play our best players and we still have a great chance of going for the Champions League and title’?
“We are in not in the position to lend our players out and do well. The only changes I can make are up front or in positions where I have two good players, like in left-back.”
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