After just one game many Spurs fans are questioning Martin Jol’s tenure at White Hart Lane, which is frankly shocking following the last-minute defeat in an admittedly poor performance against a decent Sunderland side.

More often than not, people are frustrated by the Dutchman's tactical decisions and by some of his starting 11 choices, for instance the absence of Tom Huddlestone at the Stadium of Light. But maybe people should take a step back and give Jol time before giving him a hard time.

The performance on Saturday was horrendous, with only Younes Kaboul emerging with any credit. But early-season form has long been a flaw for Tottenham and I guessed that such a result could occur, especially when you add the ‘unknown quantity’ factor in taking on newly-promoted opposition.

‘Maybe people should take a step back and give Jol time before giving him a hard time’


Many people have also jumped on the ‘fickle Spurs fans’ bandwagon, but every side has its share of fickle fans who demand instant success. If I were a Spurs supporter I would take one of these ‘fans’ aside and explain to them that things are not as simple as they appear in football strategy computer games. No amount of money invested in players can guarantee success from day one. Maybe it's symptomatic of the Premier League, where high-value entertainment has replaced long-term emotional investment.

Disappointment is a world in which 99 per cent of football followers will spend most of their time. After a summer without a major international tournament to bask in, many fans will have got carried away with hopes and expectation. This is heightened by the wads of cash spent on new players so it's tough seeing all that expectation dashed by a painful last-gasp defeat.

It’s understandable that some fans can make knee-jerk reactions, such as calling for the head of the boss, but those Spurs supporters baying for the Jol's blood should also take into account the absence of key players from the opening day calamities. Losing the likes of Aaron Lennon, Ledley King, Adel Taarabt and Gareth Bale would have a devastating effect on any side and it is unsurprising that it was difficult for the North Londoners to create any clear-cut openings.

None of the top sides managed to sweep past lowly opponents this weekend. This could mean that the gap with the lesser sides is decreasing, or more likely they have set their stalls out to defend in numbers, which was certainly the case of Reading. Other teams had a refreshing attitude of ‘going for it’, with Birmingham and Fulham almost getting off to a flyer at Stamford Bridge and the Emirates. It is also likely that given it was the opening fixture some of these world-class players probably under-estimated their opponents and therefore were almost made to pay.

I am sure that for 84 minutes Tottenham fans forgot their sorrows while watching Arsenal struggle to overcome Fulham, and then they were hit with the second sucker punch of the weekend when late goals from Robin van Persie and Alexandre Hleb dug them out of the hole.

It’s a tough start, but if I can use a cliché, which would hardly be a shock, the season is a marathon and not a sprint, so let all fans of sides who haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory take a deep breath and count to 10.

Fortunately, the White Hart Lane faithful don’t have long to wait for a shot at redemption, in the shape of a potentially tricky home game against fellow top-four hopefuls Everton. Good luck Martin!