Martin Jol last night told the Tottenham board he can emulate
Arsene Wenger's achievements at Arsenal if he is given the
time.
Despite their touchline clash of two seasons ago, the Dutchman
hailed the French coach as "one of the best ever, certainly in
England" before the two meet in the north London derby today.
But while Wenger's 11-year tenure at Arsenal is set to continue
after he agreed a new three-year contract, the continuing
uncertainty over Jol's position means he is clinging on to his job
on a game-by-game basis.
Failure to break a self-confessed "mental barrier" against their
local rivals - Spurs have not spiked the Gunners since November
1999 - could prove the final nail in the Dutchman's coffin.
After nearly three years in his job, Jol claimed he "had" enjoyed
more continuity than many of his predecessors in the White Hart
Lane ejector seat. But after two fifth-place finishes in the past
two years, everyone at the club wants more.
And chairman Daniel Levy remains unconvinced Jol is the man to take
Tottenham from best-of-the-rest to silverware winners. So victory
today would be the Dutchman's best defence.
"We had that continuity," Jol said with repeated use of the past
tense.
"I am here now for nearly three years and nobody else did that
before.
"With the same continuity, I will do the same as Wenger. That is
what I have said all along. But that depends on a few little
things. A bigger stadium, turnover, wages. But we are doing fine
with the tools we have got."
Levy has begged to differ after only one win in five so far this
season. Champions League qualification is the minimum requirement,
but Tottenham must start beating the big four to break into the big
four.
Not only have Spurs not beaten Arsenal in nearly eight years, Jol's
only win in 26 attempts in league and cup against top four clubs
was against Chelsea last season. But the Gunners are a particular
obsession at White Hart Lane. "My record against the top four is
OK," claimed Jol. "I've had draws against Man United twice away,
and a draw and a win against Chelsea last year.
"But you have to beat big teams, otherwise we will always be in the
top five or six. That is not enough. We want to do better.
"We do have a mental barrier against Arsenal. Every game against
Arsenal is special. My first game was a thriller (4-5 in November
2004). But it's time to get a win under our belts.
"Hopefully a win will be the first of many because for the last
couple of years we have been stronger.
"We haven't beaten them since 1999 so there has to be a first time
for everything."
To achieve that Spurs must neutralise Cesc Fabregas (inset) - "in
the top three midfield players in England," says Jol - and outwit
Wenger. It has so far proved beyond him.
But the Dutchman claims the two men share similar philosophies and
their spat during the last Highbury derby two seasons ago - after
Spurs scored when Emmanuel Eboue was down injured in the 1-1 draw -
had even increased his respect for his opposite number.
Jol says: "My relationship with him is very good. Since he came up
to me a couple of years ago I like him.
"If you have got Gallas and Toure it is easier to bring in the
kids. We have done that as well.
"He must be one of the best managers ever, certainly in England. If
we've got a lot of resources we can do the same here."
LOL! 
