Regardless that the team all but guaranteed their progress into the group stages of the UEFA Cup with a resounding 6-1 victory against Famagusta on Thursday, it would seem that Levy cannot be persuaded that Jol is the man to take the club forward. His shameless flirtation with Europe's most highly regarded coaches is only succeeded in undermining Jol and his attempts to turn the club's fortunes around and the Dutchman now prepares for each game knowing that it could be his last.
Martin Jol isn't the only one uncertain about his future at White Hart Lane at the moment. Jermain Defoe is yet to start a game this season, was left out of the squad that faced Arsenal last weekend and rumour has it that despite a scintillating cameo against Famagusta, he once again faces the axe this afternoon. Despite Darren Bent's indifferent form it is clear that there is little that Defoe can do to force his way back into the first team, or in this case, to win a place on the bench. Jol's belief is that Bent offers more being on the bench than Defoe, and if the rumours surrounding his exclusion today are true it will surely convince Defoe that his future lies away from White Hart Lane. However, I for one remain hopeful that these rumours are pure conjecture because excluding Defoe from the squad entirely would be very poor form on the part of Jol, who has always maintained that selection was based on merit and form rather than personal preference. At the moment it seems that Jol is punishing Defoe for being understandably reluctant to sign a new contract, ignoring what he brings to the team in order to make a point.
As far as other team news, it should be interesting to see what team Jol plays at The Reebok this afternoon. The squad that faced Famagusta was a much changed one but there were impressive performances across the board, particularly from Benoit Assou Ekotto who will count himself unlucky if he drops out of the squad entirely. With no fresh injury worries Jol will almost certainly recall Paul Robinson and Jermaine Jenas who have both enjoyed the coaches unwavering support despite questionable form over the past month. Interestingly Robinson faces Jussi Jaaskelainen today with the Finnish 'keeper being rumoured to be nearing a switch to White Hart Lane after failing to agree new terms at Bolton and most Tottenham fans will agree that stiff competition should be just what England's number one needs in order to regain the form that saw him become a firm favourite at the club.
With both sides sitting in the relegation zone in this early stages of the season, this afternoon's game promises to be a tight, nervy affair which is unlikely to appeal to the neutrals. That isn't to say, however, that either side lacks the sort of quality of player that can light up a game. Despite their poor start to the season, Sammy Lee's has actually strengthened the side that Sam Allardyce managed to steer into the UEFA Cup on several occasions and players like Nicolas Anelka, El Hadji Diouf as well as the new additions of Christian Wilhelmsson and Daniel Braaten have the ability to cause any side big problems when on song. There is little doubt that Bolton are much stronger than their current league position suggests and at home they will prove a tough side to breakdown. In the aeriel prowess of veteran midfielder Gary Speed they also have a potent weapon from set pieces and this is an area of particular concern for Tottenham this afternoon as they have struggled to defend corners and free-kicks, partly due to the absence of skipper Ledley King but also due to Robinson's lack of confidence and form.
Prediction: Bolton 1 Tottenham 1 This is a particularly tough match to call. It's guaranteed to be littered with scrappy football and tough challenges and I hope that our midfield, which has proved brittle of late, is up to the challenge. Sammy Lee put an attacking side out to take advantage of our recent defensive frailties but his side lack defensive pace, so if Lennon plays he may well get a lot of joy down the right side. I expect Robinson to face a lot of long shots, as he did in the corresponding fixture last season and much depends on what Bolton side turns up and how we defend from set pieces. Lee's Bolton have showed a much softer underbelly than the Bolton that gave crisp passing teams like Arsenal so much trouble over recent seasons. One hopes that they leave remembering how to play that way for another week.