Jol to go on the offensiveTottenham Hotspur's new manager Martin Jol believes the club have all the ingredients to be successful and has promised to deliver an attacking brand of football starting against north London neighbours Arsenal at White Hart Lane tomorrow.
"Every ingredient is here to be successful so if they give me and (technical director) Frank (Arnesen) their confidence I'm 80 to 90 per cent sure we can manage it but it will be a hell of a job," the Dutchman said yesterday.
"I want to play organised football in an attacking way because I want something special and to give myself a good feeling after a match. But I promise you that even if we win against Arsenal in an ugly way I will be very happy."
Sainsbury deal in doubt
Sebastien Sainsbury's £25million deal to takeover Leeds appears to be in jeopardy - which could result in the sale of Elland Road tomorrow.
Earlier this week the American-backed consortium led by Sainsbury provided proof of funding to Leeds chairman Gerald Krasner and the United board.
It resulted in a joint statement issued on Tuesday by Leeds and Nova Financial Partners with both parties hoping the matter would be resolved by 1 pm today.
However, problems have arisen which centre around the process of "due diligence", whereby the legal and financial responsibilities entailed in the purchase are investigated.
Given the complex nature of the deal, the funds for the takeover that should have been transferred last night have not been released as no bank will sanction that unless the lengthy due diligence process has been completed.
If Sainsbury is unable to complete the takeover by the deadline, the current board look set to broker a sale-and-leaseback arrangement on Elland Road.
Keegan calls City for kitty
Kevin Keegan has urged Manchester City's board to name his transfer budget for the January window.
Keegan is desperate to splash out on reinforcements for his injury-hit squad with another left-footed player a priority. He recently learned that injured winger
Trevor Sinclair will not play again this season. And Keegan is seeking the financial backing of boardroom chiefs.
Keegan said: "We know that we can't look at any big transfer fees but if there is no money at all then there are no Bosman transfers in the January window. They, the board, have got to come to me and tell me what I can and cannot do - that is the way it works."
Curle suspended by Stags
Mansfield have confirmed Keith Curle has been suspended and Carlton Palmer placed in temporary charge of the League Two club.
Curle has been told to stay away from Field Mill pending the outcome of an internal inquiry but the club declined to give details of the allegations. Palmer will take charge of the side's FA Cup first-round clash with Colchester tomorrow.
A club statement read: "Mansfield Town FC can confirm manager Keith Curle has temporarily been suspended pending the results of an internal inquiry which the club hope to have concluded at the earliest date possible.
O'Leary to sign for Villa
Aston Villa manager David O'Leary is optimistic he will put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half-year contract today. O'Leary, who has 18 months to run of his current deal, is waiting for solicitor Michael Kennedy to examine the contract before committing himself to the club until 2007.
In brief . . .
UCD moved two points clear at the top of the National League first division last night with a 3-1 win at Dundalk. Finn Harps, with 70 points, are two points behind the leaders with a game in hand. The Welsh FA appear to have decided on the successor to Mark Hughes. They have called a press conference today "in relation to the post of national team manager". Villarreal's Brazilian midfielder Marcos Senna has been suspended for 60 days and fined 10,000 Swiss Francs by UEFA after testing positive for two banned substances. Palermo and Messina drew 0-0 last night when the two Sicilian sides had a top-flight meeting for the first time since 1965.
