Tottenham Hotspur have long been a team on the brink of success, waiting for that final drive to push them into the ranks of the Big Four Premier League elite. With this weekend's hostile north London derby earmarked to be a huge test for Martin Jol’s credentials, I've been delving into the facts surrounding his leadership at White Hart Lane.

It was the summer of 2004 when the big Dutchman was given the job of assistant manager under the then manager, Jacques Santini. Jol barely had time to decorate his office when he was bumped up to caretaker manager due to Santini’s departure. There were many people linked to the fill the void left by Santini, however it was Jol who stepped into his shoes on a more permanent basis.

During his first season in the Spurs hot seat he impressed, doing away with the unfavourable, yet effective defensive style of play favoured by Santini. There were many issues that needing addressing and for himself and the loyal Spurs fans he had to do it quickly. The previous season's 14th-place finish was no position for them to be. It was a place they had only been in twice previously since the formation of the Premier League - 15th in 1993-94 and 14th in 1997-98.

'You can’t win every Premier League match. There is no such thing as a favourite in today’s football, as Sunderland proved'


Jol started adding his own mark to the club by appointing Michael Carrick to the first team. The player seemed to sit back, support defenders and allow the more attacking players freedom to go forward as Jol preferred. By December 2004, the new boss had been bestowed with the Premier League manager of the month award, citing the press to link him to the then vacant Ajax position back home in the Netherlands.
He immediately pledged his future to Tottenham and by mid 2005 had already signed a three-year extension to his contract following an improved ninth-place finish, missing out on Europe by only two points.

Throughout that season, Spurs were consistently in the top six, finishing in a highly-respectable fifth place. If you cast your mind back, you will remember the final day of the season where the team were struck with food poisoning, resulting in a 2-1 loss to West Ham. Had they won that match they would have overtaken Arsenal for fourth spot, which would have practically guaranteed Jol’s status as a Tottenham legend. However, he and Spurs were consoled with their first UEFA Cup place since the Premier League was founded - and it was now time for the club to shine on the big stage.

Last season,  Spurs achieved an impressive Cup run, reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup and managed another fifth-place finish. All of this with long-term injuries to key players like Ledley King, Anthony Gardner, Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque, and  Didier Zokora, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Aaron Lennon sidelined for periods of time as well. In fact, Jol rarely fielded an unchanged side throughout the season.

In the close season, Jol signed Darren Bent  from Charlton Athletic, signalling his intent for the coming season. Will Bent be a shrewd signing - or is £16.5m a lot to pay for a bench-warmer? If his previous signings are anything to go by, then I trust Jol’s judgement. Berbatov is a player who has forced his way into the hearts of the Spurs fans with his incredible performances and constant scoring. Bent could also prove to be an inspired acquisition.

Yet now, when I pick up a newspaper, all I see is Jol’s name being thrown around like mud by the press. Why, when a simple look at the facts tells you the Dutchman already has the fourth-highest win percentage for a Tottenham manager. In fact, his 47.76% has been bettered only by Arthur Turner, David Pleat and Bill Nicholson.

After a 'bad' start to the season the chairman, Daniel Levy, reportedly offered the manager’s position to Sevilla's Juande Ramos and told Jol that he will be out of a job. When Ramos turned the offer down, Levy was forced, with a red face, to keep Martin.

What constitutes a bad start to the season? A 1-0 loss to Sunderland in Roy Keane’s first Premier League managerial appearance? Of course that was to be a fierce game with Keane instilling belief into his team.
A 3-1 loss to Everton? A 4-0 rout of Derby County? A 1-0 loss to Manchester United in which they were deprived of at least an honest point after a wonder strike from Nani? A 3-3 draw to Fulham in a highly contested game?

You can’t win every Premier League match. There is no such thing as a favourite in today’s football, as Sunderland proved.

Now Jol has been given Levy's 100% backing. Spurs have a great manager and this 'bad start' doesn’t constitute the whipping he’s been getting lately after everything he has done at the club.

With the derby against high-flying Arsenal looming, it is time for Tottenham, the fans, the backroom staff, the players and the chairman to support him for the tough run of games coming up.

I, for one, would be saddened to see such a character leave the Premier League - and hope I am not alone in saying, good luck Martin.

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