FA likely to pile misery on Spurs with increased Dawson ban

MICHAEL DAWSON has been charged with improper conduct by the FA and could face an increased ban as Tottenham bid to recover from their worst-ever start to a league season.

Dawson was dismissed in stoppage-time of the defeat to Stoke on Sunday and the charge relates to how he reacted when Lee Mason showed the red card.

The 24-year-old centre-back, who received a three-match ban for his tackle on Mamady Sidibe, has until 6pm today to answer the charges before his case is heard tomorrow.

The FA are likely to add another game to his suspension, while other options include handing out a further two matches or keep the ban as it is and issue a warning.

Head coach Juande Ramos needs as many options as possible due to Ledley King being unable to play twice in a week at the moment, leading him to be rested at Stoke. Dawson and King are in the squad to face Udinese in the UEFA Cup tomorrow but more important is the clash against Bolton at White Hart Lane on Sunday when Spurs look for their first league win.

Chairman Daniel Levy is thought to be on business and is not expected to travel to the Udinese game, where he would be faced with questions from travelling Spurs fans.

Levy has been reported to have received abusive emails from fans and the appointment of Damien Comolli as sporting director has been heavily criticised — with the Frenchman tipped to leave the club.

Fans will confront Levy at the club’s AGM, which will be held after financial results are released, but Spurs are not planning on announcing the figures this week.

“The mood was very low in the dressing room after the (Stoke) game because nobody likes to lose,” admitted striker Darren Bent.

“But we’re trying to keep the spirits up despite being bottom of the league, because we know the only way is up, we just have to start winning games.”

Returning to the UEFA Cup will be a relief for Ramos, who won the trophy in consecutive seasons at Sevilla.

Meanwhile, former Tottenham favourite David Ginola believes he could be the man to help the club’s struggling squad kickstart their season — but does not think the club should part with boss Juande Ramos.

“I would love to help them,” Ginola said, “I would love to be back at White Hart Lane, to bring back a bit of spirit, a bit of knowledge about the game. A team is a family — if you forget that you will not be able to have success.”

“The first to be blamed will be the manager of course but when he first arrived he was the best in the world. Now he seems to be called the worst. In a few months he has not become the worst manager in the world.