Tottenham boss Martin Jol was last night facing a new crisis after
a major dressing room split over his training methods.
There has been disagreement between the players over Jol's training
programme during pre-season and Spurs have had a nightmare start to
the campaign which has left them bottom of the Premiership.
The British players believe they have been working too hard, with
Jol even ordering a double training session on Wednesday following
their home defeat to Everton the night before.
But some of the foreign contingent claim they have not worked hard
enough and that they have not done enough fitness work because they
have concentrated on ball work.
Tottenham misfit Hossam Ghaly even snubbed a move to Birmingham two
weeks ago after claiming their sessions were too hard and is
alleged to have told Steve Bruce: We don't do running at
Spurs.
Tottenham have a crippling injury list with Ledley King, Dimitar
Berbatov, Younes Kaboul and Michael Dawson all ruled out of today's
clash with Derby as Jol already battles to save his job.
The British players believe they should not be doing double
sessions and should be resting while the foreigners claim the lack
of hard work and poor fitness levels may be the reason behind so
many early injuries.
Kaboul tore a hamstring against Everton while Berbatov may need
groin surgery after an injury in that game.
Furthermore, Jol has been left with a defensive crisis as all three
left-backs - Gareth Bale, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Lee Young-Pyo -
are out injured.
Chairman Daniel Levy told Jol this week he was sympathetic over the
injury situation but Jol knows he cannot afford another defeat by
newly-promoted Derby.
