Tottenham 0 Wigan Athletic 0:MARTIN JOL could be forgiven a satisfied smirk right now. It is close to a year ago that the daggers which cut the Dutchman's ties with Tottenham Hotspur were being sharpened after a start to the season the club's hierarchy deemed unacceptable.
Juande Ramos arrived soon after and better times were supposed to lie ahead, but the club's form is dire. Tottenham remain bottom of the league after their worst start in 34 years and on the evidence of the performance, may not move upwards anytime soon. It is two points from five matches for Spurs this season - Jol managed one win and four points from the same number last year - and few could begrudge those supporters who jeered their side off the pitch.
It was the lack of creativity which particularly frustrated those in attendance. The midfield charged around without any genuine purpose - no one more so than David Bentley who is unlikely to play as poorly again for his new side - and up front Darren Bent and Roman Pavlyuchenko were wholly ineffective. Indeed the Russian, in only his second appearance for the club, had to be substituted at half-time such was the lack of presence he offered his new team.
Ramos denied Sunday newspaper reports claiming he wants to return to Spain because of homesickness, insisting he is having a "marvellous experience" in London, but his frustrated gestures on the touchline point to an inner angst.
• Guardian Service
