My colleague Martyn Herman wrote this morning: “If Martin Jol, who was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, is guilty of anything it is raising expectations of a club mired in mediocrity for years.”

Is he right?

Jol stepped up, firstly as caretaker manager, after a brief spell of 13 games of defensive football headed by Frenchman Jacques Santini in November 2004 and guided Spurs to a respectable ninth at the end of the season.

The likeable Dutchman then bolstered his reputation with two consecutive fifth place finishes, narrowly missing out on the golden ticket of Champions League football in 2005.

Just seven points from 10 games this season equates to the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season but with rumours of Jol’s departure circulating midway through last night’s 2-1 UEFA Cup defeat to Getafe the fans rose to voice their appreciation of their soon-to-be-axed manager. Should he have been given more time?

The British press have been quick to point the finger of blame. Matt Lawton and Neil Ashton write in the Daily Mail: “A breakdown in his relationship with Daniel Levy and the chairman’s colleagues on the board has led to his departure. It began when, against Jol’s wishes, Levy brought in Damien Comolli as the club’s director of football.”

Meanwhile, Jim Duggan at Top Spurs is critical of the manner of Jol’s departure, saying:

‘Spurs were a laughing stock once again through incompetent leadership - a leak to a newspaper before the game, widespread uncertainty during a game played in a sometimes surreal atmosphere and then the usual “unofficial” sources briefing the press.’

So who is to blame? And what next for Spurs? Ramos and Klinsmann are already being talked about but our current Reuters Poll suggests a certain former Chelsea manager is required.

Do you agree?

He may have stumbled upon it more through luck than tactical judgement but Steve McClaren has discovered that the formula for a successful team may not simply be playing your supposed best 11 players.

Gareth Barry was again at the backbone of a more than competent England display in which Estonia were brushed aside 3-0 with expected ease. The Aston Villa captain showed discipline and assured passing throughout in a man-of-the-match display alongside Steven Gerrard to leave the English press purring.

Anthony Clavane wrote in the Sunday Mirror: “Once again Barry was my man of the match, as he was against Israel and Russia. His great vision and simple approach will have delighted McClaren.”

Jamie Jackson wrote in the Observer: “Just the fact that Barry is content to play deeper than Liverpool’s captain seems to give England the balance and shape they lack when it is (Frank) Lampard partnering him.”

Barry’s selection came about due to injuries to Lampard and Manchester United pair Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick and it was originally expected that when any of the injured trio returned to fitness they would regain their place at the expense of the Villa midfielder. Not any more.

Barry’s third consecutive game coincided with a third consecutive 3-0 victory for England and Lampard’s introduction on Saturday as a second-half substitute was welcomed with a chorus of boos from a section of the home support who clearly feel Barry should keep his place regardless of Lampard’s health.

McClaren’s predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson persisted with a midfield pairing of Lampard and Gerrard when fans groaned that they couldn’t play successfully together and some fear the current England coach may employ the same tactic.

Roy Collins wrote in the Telegraph: “So if he (Barry) is dropped in favour of Lampard, it will suggest that McClaren is continuing the policy of predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson by pandering to the biggest names and that his claims to favour the team ethic are simply empty words.”

McClaren’s team selection against Russia on Wednesday could help define his legacy as England coach. He was commended for preserving Barry’s place for Saturday’s match, but that was at home to a side ranked 127 in the world. Russia, in Moscow, is a much sterner test and he may be inclined to go back to Lampard. Would that be right?

Patrick Johnston, London

PHOTO: England’s Gareth Barry (L) fights for the ball with Estonia’s Ragnar Klavan during their Euro 2008 Group E qualifying soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London October 13, 2007. REUTERS/Darren Staples.

Much of the attention will be on the London derbies involving Chelsea and Arsenal this weekend, but by Sunday morning it may be Alex Ferguson smiling, with Manchester United in with a chance of taking the league leadership.

It’s been over a week since the departure of the self-confessed ‘special one’ from Chelsea and the pressure on Avram Grant to produce style as well as substance reignites on Saturday with the visit of West London neighbours Fulham.

Like it or not, the mission for Grant is to emulate Arsenal, who have confidently moved top while thrilling fans and neutrals alike. Here’s what Martin Lipton wrote in the Mirror after the 3-0 win over Sevilla in the Champions League:

“Thrilling football, fantastic entertainment, goals and a win to set Europe talking. Maybe you should sell Chelsea and buy this lot, Mr Abramovich.”

A trip to seventh place West Ham will provide a decent test for Arsene Wenger’s side. If they fail, champions United could replace them at the top by winning away to Birmingham City, managed by Old Trafford old boy Steve Bruce.

Two other Premier League managers will be under the spotlight. As Dave Thompson asked in his blog, can Rafa Benitez continue to leave Fernando Torres out of his starting line-up when they play away to Wigan? (No, according to a Reuters poll). And can Martin Jol inspire a Tottenham revival at home to Aston Villa on Monday night?

Patrick Johnston, London

Photo: Sir Alex Ferguson watches during Manchester United’s League Cup defeat by Coventry City, September 26, 2007. Darren Staples / Reuters 

The Premier League is often billed as the most exciting league in the world but you’d be hard pushed to justify that tag going by what’s happening on the pitch.

The rumbles of discontent amongst Chelsea’s supporters continue in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s departure last week, with the team now having gone three league games without scoring. See this from Tony Glover at Chelseablog, for example:

“Whilst we are hurting as fans, the rest of football sees us as a laughing stock. Whereas before everybody hated us, but we didn’t care, it now feels like everyone is laughing at us and I do bloody well care about that.”  

But if goals and entertainment were the standard of success and failure this season then many other managers could be standing in Jose Mourinho’s shoes.

The six goals they scored against Derby aside, Liverpool have managed just five in their five other games and supporters are getting very frustrated. As they say at Have You Ever Been to Liverpool?

“Benitez was unable to keep his tinkering hands firmly in his pockets (against Portsmouth and Birmingham) and made switches, some would say needless ones, for both games. The results were unimpressive, two points from a possible six. Truly a case of premature rotation?”

Third-placed Manchester City have scored only eight times in seven games, while, incredibly, Manchester United have an even worse record, with just six in their seven matches.

That’s a particularly poor goals-per-game ratio considering they scored 83 times in 38 matches en route to the title last season, and they have added Argentine Carlos Tevez to their attack. At least at Red Rants they saw signs in the win over Chelsea that United might be getting their swagger back. “Really, it’s about time we started doing that,” they say.

Thank goodness for Arsenal and Derby, then. Otherwise it’s been pretty disappointing on the goal front for a league that spent half a billion pounds over the summer. Or are you enjoying the league’s new accent on defence?

Patrick Johnston, London

Photo: Fernando Torres in training back in August. Liverpool’s strikers are struggling again this season. Phil Noble / Reuters

They sit proudly on top of their domestic league, have thrilled supporters with their lavish outlay on signings, have the backing of a billionaire tycoon and are desperate for Champions League success. No, not Chelsea, but Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk.

The club’s latest extravagant outlay was on 19-year-old Brazilian Willian for 14 million euros from Corinthians. His capture takes the clubs spending, which is backed by Rinat Akhmetov, to 60 million euros.

Italian striker Cristiano Lucarelli, Brazilian defender Ilsinho and Mexico attacking midfielder Neri Castillo are among the other signings, but Shakhtar have not just been investing on the playing side of things.

They now have a new 50,000-seat stadium on the way, although the return leg of their Champions League third qualifying round against Austrian side Salzburg on Wednesday night is in the smaller Olympiyskiy Stadium*.

“Shakhtar are becoming a team at a high European level with structure, the stadium and the players, their Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu said.

Shakhtar lost the first leg 1-0 but if they manage to pull through there will be many a club from one of the bigger leagues wary of being drawn to play them in the group phase.

Patrick Johnston

* Note: This sentence about the match venue was corrected at 1329 GMT on Thursday (hat tip Jerry P in the comments below)

So you have checked with your scouts, agreed a fee with the club, convinced the player your ambitions meet his and that his wage packet will reflect that. You’ve shown his WAG around the town, convinced her that you can accommodate all her shopping needs and after all that the British Home Office refuses to issue said player with a work permit.

Everton looked set to complete the signing of Nigerian international Yakubu Aiyegbeni from Middlesbrough over the weekend only for the Home Office to reject the application. Yakubu, who has played in England since 2003 with Portsmouth prior to his move to Middlesbrough, had not fulfilled the requirement of involvement in 75 percent of his countrys competitive internationals in the last two years.*

Everton expect to hear the verdict of an appeal on Wednesday. If they are unsuccessful it will be a hefty blow considering they have also missed out on Manuel Fernandes, after he opted to join Valencia instead.

Of course, Everton are not the first to fall victim of a rule which is not employed in the other major European leagues.

Arsenal eventually signed Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva in the close season after an appeal to the Home Office. The first application was rejected because the Brazilian-born striker had played only 50 per cent of Croatias internationals. The appeal was only accepted when Arsenal argued that da Silva had been involved for his adopted country in all their matches in the past year.

The ruling has also seen English clubs withdraw from bidding for some of South Americas most talented young players. Alexandre Pato, the 17-year-old midfielder who signed for Champions League winners AC Milan in the summer had originally attracted the attentions of Chelsea before they realised he would not qualify for a permit.

So is it time to get this peculiar ruling changed? Or is it worth keeping in place for the protection it offers to home grown players? 

Patrick Johnston, London

*Note: You can read the guidelines on work permits for international players here at workingintheuk.gov.uk

After a brief break for a number of international friendly matches the Premier League resumes with its unfamiliar look.

While Sir Alex Ferguson and his struggling Manchester United stars resume their relegation dog-fight, Sven-Goran Eriksson and the beaming Manchester City faithful will be hoping to maintain a perfect record when they face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Three wins from their opening three matches would have been nigh on unimaginable for City fans when they saw they would be facing their illustrious neighbours so early. But after seeing off the Premier League champions on Sunday thanks to a single goal from Brazilian Geovanni, City head south full of optimism.

Bookmakers are offering a price as short as 33-1 that Sven can prevent City from tasting defeat in their opening 12 matches.

Can the former England boss keep the run going and challenge for a Champions League spot? We’re running a poll on this over at the new Reuters Soccer website, so pop across and leave a vote. Better yet, let us know what you think of City’s long-term prospects by leaving a comment.

A few other questions to think about before this weekend’s fixtures:

Can Liverpool overcome their frustration at last weekend’s penalty affair at Anfield and get the three points they need from a tricky fixture away to Sunderland? Rafa Benitez has been complaining about fixture “unfairness” as well as the Gabriel Heinze decision but he seems to have lost the sympathy of even Liverpool bloggers (see Have You Ever Been to Liverpool as an example).

It’s about time Man Utd started winning, isn’t it? The champions are at home to Tottenham on Sunday, in a late kick-off, and by that time they could be 10 points off the pace! As Sailesh Ganesh writes at Red Rants, United have actually played pretty well so far, despite the results. “If this is Manchester United in crisis, I cannot imagine us in full flow,” he says. Let’s see if they hit their stride this weekend.

Speaking of Tottenham, can a side tipped as Top Four contenders shrug off all the Jol controversy and prove those first two defeats were just freak results?

Patrick Johnston, London

It is not a good time to be Paul Robinson at the moment. After his dreadful mistake in Englands 2-1 defeat by Germany on Wednesday the Tottenham stopper woke-up this morning to calls for him to be dropped for the  against Israel and Russia next month.

David James replaced Robinson at half-time on Wednesday but it is hard to see the 37-year-old as the answer to all England’s woes. James earned himself the nickname Calamity after his inconsistent displays for Liverpool in the 1990s and he has a record of unreliability far worse than his England colleague.

Jamess last competitive England appearance was in September 2004, when his error allowed Austria to grab a 2-2 draw in a World Cup qualifier. And few England fans will forget his self-destructive display in Denmark in which he conceded four goals after coming on for the second half of Englands 4-1 friendly defeat in 2005.

Elsewhere, there are a handful of young, talented goalkeepers in the Premier League. Scott Carson has made a bright debut on loan at Aston Villa and then there are the injury-prone Chris Kirkland and West Hams Robert Green to consider, although with only two caps between them surely McClaren will not risk them in such high pressure matches.

So who should the coach pick for the September qualifiers? Robinson, James or one of the new boys?

Patrick Johnston, London

UPDATE: We have a poll running on this over at the new Reuters Soccer website. As I write, David James has by far the most support, with 39 percent saying he should keep goal against Israel in Russia. Do you agree? Post you vote here.

London is famed for its many international communities and it can now boast a new one (in football terms, at least) — the Northern Irish of Fulham.

While Iraqis celebrated their recent Asian Cup success in Edgware Road and fireworks were seen in Harringay when Turkey beat Greece 4-1 in Euro 2008 qualifying in March, voices of optimism are currently coming from the South West London club with the arrival of four Northern Ireland internationals.

The man responsible is Lawrie Sanchez, the countrys former manager and now Fulham boss, who after signing David Healy, Chris Baird, Steven Davis and Aaron Hughes hopes he can steer the club in the direction of European qualification and avoid another season of relegation flirtation.

The idea of signing four players from Northern Ireland four years ago, when former manager Sammy McIlroy oversaw a run of 13 matches without Northern Ireland scoring, would have brought pessimistic cries from supporters and short prices for relegation from bookmakers.

But Sanchezs ability to gain the most from the same group of players coincided with a drastic improvement in the countrys rankings, performances and goalscoring. The reaction from the Fulham faithful has thus been a lot more positive (see this optimistic piece at There’s Only One F in Fulham for one example).

It’s obviously not a case of guaranteed success, however. Similar recruitment policies of importing players from a manager’s homeland have in the past brought mixed results.

Louis van Gaal won two league titles in his first spell in charge of Barcelona, with eight Dutchmen in the squad by the end, but coming back and trying to repeat the trick proved a mistake. When he was forced out midway through the 2002-03 season the club, with five of his compatriots on the books, Barca were in 12th place.

Gerard Houllier hardly put a foot right when he started recruiting Frenchmen at Liverpool — remember Bruno Cheyrou, Bernard Diomede, Djibril Cisse, Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle — and yet Arsene Wenger won the double in his first full season in charge of Arsenal, with his countrymen crucial to the success. Few Arsenal fans will have anything but happy memories of Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires and the rest.

So has Sanchez done a Houllier or a Wenger?

Patrick Johnston, London

It’s too late for the 1966 West German team but Hawk-Eye creator, Paul Hawkins has revealed a contract is in place to adapt his ball-tracking system to make goalline decisions in football.

Hawkins sounds confident that, working with Reading FC’s Academy side, a system could be in place in the Premier League within a couple of years.

But once the floodgates are opened, and technology is available for use by referees, why stop there? If the defences of the rule makers are down, why not squeeze through another concept in the challenge rule, which was well received at the recent Wimbledon tennis tournament by pretty much everyone apart from Roger Federer.

Imagine the great theatrical scenes as managers and players turn to the big screen in the 89th minute to see if that clever ball through for a winning goal was offside?

Referees might be pleased at escaping the wrath of irate managers and their pointing fingers after a close call. Those ugly scenes witnessed at the Emirates Stadium, where then Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell stormed on to the pitch to voice his discontent at a decision made by referee Phil Dowd, may be a thing of the past.

So are we all in favour of the challenge system? Or would we risk slowing the game down too much?

Patrick Johnston, London