I can salvage Spurs' season - Jol

Tottenham have won only one of their 10 league games this season

Under-fire Tottenham boss Martin Jol says he can revive his side's fortunes, despite their dire start to the season.

Poor defending cost Spurs dear in a 3-1 loss at Newcastle on Monday to leave Jol's side in the bottom three but he said: "Yes we lack a bit of leadership.

"But if everybody is fit we have got a very good team and very good defence."

BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard said, though: "Patience is low on the board. If Spurs lose this weekend it could be the turning point."

Interview: Spurs boss Martin Jol

The Londoners face Blackburn at home on Sunday, after what should be a relatively comfortable Uefa Cup home clash with Getafe on Thursday.

And Legard added: "After one win in the first 10 league games this season, there is little evidence that Martin Jol is going to make it two in a hurry.

"One source has told me that since their ill-fated flirtation with Juande Ramos at Seville in August, Jol has enjoyed total board backing. However, they feel it hasn't been repaid."

Tottenham, who face Getafe in the Uefa Cup on Thursday and then Blackburn on Sunday, have won only one of their first 10 Premier League games and there has been uncertainly surrounding Jol's future for most of the season.

The Dutchman's position has not been helped by renewed speculation about his relationship with star striker Dimitar Berbatov.

606: DEBATE The genuine hope for great things at the beginning of the season and now total despair indoznids

It was reported that the Bulgarian was so unhappy at starting from the bench at St James' Park that he initially refused to warm up before appearing as a second-half substitute.

That allegation was firmly denied by Jol, who said he was resting Berbatov ahead of Thursday's Uefa Cup tie, but the Bulgarian made a lacklustre cameo appearance, underlined by his score of 5.01 on BBC Sport's Player Rater early on Tuesday morning.

And former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood told 5 Live: "Berbatov is not happy if you ask me. He did take some persuading to warm up against Newcastle.

"He could play in any side in the world when on form but I wouldn't want him round me in Spurs' position.

"Tottenham need people willing to fight for the cause and, on the evidence of the Newcastle game, he's not one of them."

However, it is in defence where Jol may have the biggest problems.

Tottenham, need people willing to fight for the cause and on the evidence of the Newcastle game, he's not one of them Sherwood on Berbatov

Influential club captain Ledley King has missed the whole season so far because of injury, while the latest worry for Spurs is Welsh defender Gareth Bale, who suffered a foot problem against the Magpies.

"Hopefully, it is not too bad but it doesn't look good," added Jol. "His foot was swelling up after the game, so it could be a pretty tough injury."

But Sherwood believes Jol has few excuses for his side's defensive concerns, saying: "There are problems at Tottenham and they can't go on this way.

"I'm all for giving managers time - but only if they are making progress and at the moment there are no leaders on the pitch and, more worryingly, no leaders off the pitch.

"Martin needs to show improvement. It looks like they are doing nothing on the training ground to address their problems at the back.

"The only problem the board have is who they could bring in to replace him. Sevilla coach Juande Ramos has obviously been highlighted as the man they want but he won't be available until next summer and Spurs don't have an obvious choice as a caretaker manager."

Every match we make mistakes, and we have to cut out that rubbish Martin Jol

Jol, on the other hand, believes he is doing all he can to get the best out of his players and blames "individual errors" for Tottenham's poor form.

"You can go into any match with all the best intentions and gameplans but if you concede goals like we do you make almost impossible for yourself," he said.

"Seventy per cent of the goals we have let in this season have been avoidable. We talk about set-pieces and everything like that but we need mental strength out on the pitch.

"I believe in the players but they are young and we need someone to stand up and pull the strings. Every match we make mistakes and we have to cut out that rubbish."