Martin Jol would be loath to admit it but Tottenham's FA Cup
clash against Championship side Cardiff has suddenly taken on
greater significance than he would have wanted.
Jol's team host Cardiff in a third round replay on Wednesday
knowing the world's oldest cup competition represents a chance to
get their stuttering season back on track.
Tottenham's already slim hopes of challenging for a top-four
finish and the lucrative Champions League spot that comes with it
were all but ended by Sunday's 3-2 home defeat against
Newcastle.
The north London team are now 10 points behind fourth placed
Arsenal after three matches without a win.
After last season's agonising failure to clinch a Champions
League place on the last day of the season, Tottenham were
determined to go one better this time, but dismal away form and a
sudden fragility at home has cost them dear.
Fortunately Tottenham have enjoyed more success in the cup
competitions. They are already through to the League Cup
semi-finals, where they face bitter rivals Arsenal, as well as the
last 32 of the UEFA Cup.
Jol's side had won all nine of their cup ties this season before
Cardiff managed to hold them to a 0-0 draw at Ninian Park on
January 7 and they will expect to put their recent woes behind them
at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.
Successive home defeats against Liverpool and Newcastle have
raised questions about Jol's ability to take Tottenham onto the
next level.
But he has money to spend in the transfer window and West
Bromwich Albion defender Curtis Davies and Watford winger Ashley
Young top his wanted list.
Jol is refusing to let Sunday's defeat dent morale and he has
warned his players not to dwell on the result as they prepare to
face Cardiff.
"We had at least 20 attempts on goal against Newcastle," Jol
said. "It was a combination of things that cost us - being unlucky
and (goalkeeper) Shay Given playing well.
"The players can talk about it for hours but we've got another
game on Wednesday."
Cardiff, who last won at White Hart Lane in 1954, will travel to
London more in hope than expectation of claiming a memorable
victory.
Dave Jones' side are enduring a miserable run that threatens to
curtail their promotion hopes after a promising start to the
season.
The Welsh team sat on top of the Championship for several weeks
early in the campaign but a slump of 12 matches without a win has
seen them tumble down to eighth place.
Cardiff haven't scored in their last four matches and Jones will
try to remedy that barren run by making a splash in the transfer
market.
He has been told there is money to spend following the
completion of Peter Ridsdale's takeover of the club and signing a
new striker is his first priority.
Former Leeds chairman Ridsdale said: "We will continue to do our
best to satisfy Dave (Jones) in his transfer requirements."
(China Daily via AFP January 17, 2007)