News: Holland midfielder Mark van Bommel has admitted his interest in a move to Tottenham. The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is keen to move to the Premiership.
Van Bommel worked with Spurs' sporting director Frank Arnesen during the Dane's time with PSV and has revealed a move to White Hart Lane would appeal. "Tottenham are a big club, a sleeping giant, and I want to join them," Van Bommel told the Daily Mirror.
"I know Martin Jol and Frank Arnesen very well. They are good people and I really hope that something will happen. I'm 27 now and the time is right for me to move. I've achieved everything in Holland and I feel I need a new challenge."
Tottenham defender Nourredine Naybet yesterday added to the club's problems by declaring they were in a "moment of crisis". The Morocco international admitted that Spurs "were not a good team" and claimed the run of defeats is the worst he has experienced in his career.
Tottenham are on the brink of equalling the worst run of defeats in the club's history if they lose at home to Middlesbrough on Sunday. Jol, who has replaced previous coach Jacques Santini, has yet to win any of the three games since taking charge.
His latest setback, a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Monday night, kept Spurs hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone and, while the Dane remains positive about their performances, Naybet seems less enthusiastic.
Naybet said: "This is a moment of crisis but we have a new coach, new system, and new players and it is only our second game together. We're not a good team. This is the first time I've lost six consecutive games. It is the worst run of my career and I don't know what to do. I'm very concerned about it but what can we do?"
Jol suffered a further setback yesterday when England striker Jermain Defoe was stuck down with a stomach complaint. Defoe was rushed to see the club doctor after the defeat at Villa but should recover in time to face Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Jol is also waiting to learn if an injury to Erik Edman will force him out of action for a long period. Jol is waiting for a medical assessment on the Swedish left-back who was forced out of Monday night's defeat because of an Achilles problem. Edman was substituted at half-time and the player has undergone scans to discover the extent of the problem.
Jol said: "It is an Achilles problem but I can't tell you much more but at least Thimothee Atouba showed me that he could play at left-back."
Atouba reverted to left-back in Edman's absence with Reto Ziegler playing in his more usual role on the left flank. However, Jol believes there was plenty to enthuse about despite the defeat. "Before the game we were a bit worried because we had given away eight goals in three matches but I thought we had a good performance. Arsenal at home and Villa away are not the games you want at this stage but we did well and we can build on this performance."
