Jol: Judge me in May

Martin Jol proved bookmakers wrong by remaining as Tottenham manager this far into the campaign – and he believes he can only be judged at the end of the season.

The Dutchman has defied the odds to keep his job at White Hart Lane, although they will stay in the bottom three of the Premier League if they do not pick up a point or more at Newcastle tomorrow.

Spurs appeared set to change their manager after the infamous meeting with Juande Ramos, then after defeat to Arsenal it was widely reported Jol’s position would be reviewed during the international break.

They have not been defeated since their rivals beat them, and it is Jose Mourinho and Sammy Lee who have been the managerial casualties in the top flight so far. The international break last week passed with Jol doing his usual work at Spurs Lodge.

“Everybody was wrong,” said Jol. “I’m not someone who doubts. It’s confidence but it’s to do with what happened in the past – the results.

“We are in the last 16 of the Carling Cup, we are in the UEFA Cup and there are a lot of clubs who would like to do the same.”

He added: “There are peaks and troughs, one day you are marvellous the next day look at Robbie Keane (getting criticised) with Ireland, look at Steve McClaren, look at me.”

Jol’s confidence stems from consecutive top-five finishes. He feels Spurs are an example to teams like Newcastle.

Sam Allardyce has been brought to St James’ Park from Bolton to get the club back in Europe, which is why Jol disagrees with comparing the two clubs.

“We had European football for the last two years and they didn’t,” Jol said. “Why would be in the same boat? It would be fantastic for them if they were in the first six or seven, playing European football next season would be a good achievement for them.

“We already did that twice so it’s different. We are in the group stages of the UEFA Cup and they would love to do that as well.”

Jol added: “It’s always about the end of the season. We finished above all the other teams including Bolton.

“The only conclusion you can make over the last couple of years is that teams like Aston Villa, Manchester City – they would be delighted to be in the top six.”

Allardyce had a decent record against Spurs when he was at Bolton, but Jol feels there is now the burden of expectation from a club starved of success.

“Sam always seems to create strong teams, and at Newcastle you have the resources as well,” Jol said. “You have to live up to the expectations. He’s capable of doing that.

“They always seem to have good players but to attract the players they have got, you need success.

“You see their strikeforce – (Obafemi) Martins is awesome, (Mark) Viduka is one of the most skilful number nines in the league, (Alan) Smith is suspended but the best finisher is still probably Michael Owen.

“Their home form is good, they did well and have a game in hand as well. They need to win their home games and they are pretty strong.”

Striker Dimitar Berbatov took a knock during international week but Jol is hopeful the Bulgaria striker will be fit.