March 12th 2005

Newcastle-Online.com teamed up with David Soanes, the Editor of a Tottenham Hotspur supporters website - THFC Online - to get his views on Spurs, Newcastle United, tomorrow's FA Cup Quarter-Final at St. James' Park and more. This is what David had to say...

Q: What happened with Jacques Santini - I bet you thought; 'Oh no, here we go again', when he left just months after being appointed?

Santini's departure was inevitably a massive shock. Spurs looked to be heading in the right direction and it seemed as though Santini was the right man to take the club forward.

Q: It does seem to have worked out for the best though, but Is Martin Jol the right man for the job?

Spurs fans love Martin Jol. He seems to say the right things and has an excellent character. The quality of football has improved significantly and the form has been impressive despite a bad run a few months ago. Jol needs to be given a good chance and next year could be special with Frank Arnesen promising some big signings.

Q: Recent speculation has seen him linked with the vacant Ajax job, a prestigious job for any manager never mind a Dutchman, can Spurs hang onto the ever impressive Jol?

Ajax are a massive club and the bond between Jol and his home country is very strong hence the speculation. I believe that Jol will stay and complete the job at Spurs however. He doesn't come across as a manager that would walk away easily.

Q: Frank Arnesen is the Director of football, with Jol working under him as coach. So far it seems to be working. Can this last? Is this the way ahead for other English teams? What exactly does Arnesen do?

As far as I am aware, Arnesen works alongside Jol mainly to initiate transfers. This setup is very popular across Europe and will perhaps be used in this country by more clubs in the future. As long as the two of them have a good understanding and clear focus, the relationship will work.

Q: Spurs have underachieved in recent (Premiership) years, is this the start of the revolution?

I hope so! So many managers have failed to bring back the glory days at White Hart Lane. The club has a massive history and the fans are very demanding and crave success in the modern era. Jol is perhaps the most promising manager that's took charge of Spurs for many years. The squad is really developing and money is being invested wisely. Gone are the days when the club blow £8 million on strikers that are not proven in English football.

Q: Expectations are high amongst Spurs fans - are these expectations justified in your opinion?

In the past few years the squad has not really been good enough to justify a top six finish. Spurs used to put to much faith in old and foreign players that were inconsistent and never really pushed through any young and fresh players. This has now been completely reversed as Spurs have a abundance of young talent combined with English players forming the backbone of the side (Robinson, King, Carrick, Brown and Defoe).

Q: The never ending big club debate: At what level do you see Spurs at right now?

With the present squad at Spurs and looking around at other clubs, Spurs should be in sixth or seventh spot. I would highlight Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle as being the teams that have a better first eleven to chose from. However, I believe the gap between Spurs, yourselves and Liverpool is becoming progressively smaller and the summer transfer activity will really signify what to expect in 2005/06.

Q: Can Spurs compete at the top end of the table and if so, what is needed for your club to become a challenger?

As I mentioned before, Arnesen is ready to spend in the summer. Spurs fan's will expect a new right-back as Parmarot is not proving the most popular at the present time. No other position is in desperate need of repair but obviously big signings are needed to really cement a top six challenge. Van Bommel, Wright-Phillips and the youngster Dermacus Beasley from PSV would be nice...

Q: What system/formation do Spurs deploy? Are you an attacking side or a defensive side?

Jol is happy with the solid 4-4-2 system and since Santini's departure Spurs are much more of an attacking side. Expect Brown and Carrick to form the heart of the midfield with Defoe and Kanoute the pairing up front. King and Naybet should both start at centre-back with Edman and perhaps youngster Stephen Kelly slotting in either side. Simon Davies is returning to form down the right but Spurs will miss cup-tied Andy Reid on Sunday so young Swiss star Reto Ziegler may get the nod on the left flank.

Q: What are Spurs main strengths and main weaknesses?

It goes without saying that Spurs carry a fantastic threat in the final third. Most clubs would be happy to have Defoe, Keane, Kanoute and Mido to choose from. Defensively, Spurs can also be impressive with the experience of Morrocan captain Naybet and Newcastle transfer target Ledley King...

Tottenham's major weakness is the lack of a top quality winger like Wright-Phillips or Christiano Ronaldo. Davies and Ziegler are good players, but are not yet at the level that Spurs fans demand.

Q: Robinson, King and Defoe in particular are 3 of the country's most outstanding young English talent, can Spurs hang onto them? Do you fear any of the leaving in the not to distant future?

They are definitely massive talents and are really impressing at White Hart Lane. Robinson has really made a mark since joining and is a firm favourite with the fans. He stated in a Sky Sports interview that he was keen to stay for the next few years. Defoe has been in terrific goalscoring form all year and not many players score better goals.

Its only natural to fear the worst but I genuinely feel that they will all be hear for another full season at the very least. They are all young and happy to develop at a club in which they are guaranteed first team football and one that is moving in the right direction.

Q: What kind of money would it take to prize them away?

Bids in excess of £15 million would probably be looked at seriously for both King and Defoe. £10 million would be pretty good money for a goalkeeper that cost very little form Leeds Utd. It's impossible to guess what the club regards as a suitable offer but at the end of the day, every player has a price.

Q: What Newcastle players (if any) would you like to see playing for Spurs?

Newcastle seem particularly strong in midfield. Robert, Dyer and Jenas would be the obvious candidates. Dyer and Robert would provide the much needed width whilst Jenas is a very impressive young talent similar to Michael Carrick. Personally I wouldn't like any others to be honest. You could give us Stevie Carr back though...

Q: What are your honest opinions of Newcastle United as a club and as supporters?

I have always considered Newcastle as a good side who similarly to Tottenham, always seem to underachieve year after year no matter what changes are made. The fan base is massive and its good to see the ground pretty full even during that dreadful run when Souness took over. I feel both clubs could be on the up and Sundays match could be a great game between two very good sides.

Q: Sunday's game, who will be the key men for both sides?

If Defoe can show what he is capable of then Spurs will be half way to victory. Carrick and Brown must be instrumental in midfield and Ziegler and Davies need to attack the flanks to get in behind Newcastle.

Shearer and Kluivert have potential up front and Newcastle's midfield is dangerous if Robert, Dyer and Bowyer are in the right frame of mind. Bramble has been improving well alongside Boumsong but his notorious mistakes could make him a key figure for the wrong reasons!

Q: Which one NUFC player do you fear the most and why?

Laurent Robert's spectacular free kicks. There is nothing worse than having someone like Robert getting ready to take a free kick in the final minute... Shearer is a major threat up front as ever and Bowyer is getting back to his best in midfield.

Q. Which NUFC Vs Spurs game stands out as the most memorable for you?

I'm to young to remember any real classic matches! The victory at St. James' Park earlier in the season was a massive win though. It was a superb goal by Atouba and formed part of that terrific early run under Santini.

Q: And the one you'd rather forget?

The game at White Hart Lane on 2001 in which Acuna, Shearer and Bellamy all scored in quick succession in the second half to overturn an early goal by Steffen Iversen. Hugely disappointing way to lose at your on ground.

Q: Finally, do you have a prediction for the match?

I hate predicting results- especially between the league's most unpredictable teams! Anything really can happen in this one as we all know. I will go for a 3-2 Spurs win in the hope that it is an excellent cup tie. Bearing in mind Newcastle's current form, if Spurs have a bad day I wouldn't bet against a heavy defeat...