Players back Jol ahead of United test

The club were forced into an embarrassing climb-down this week after Sevilla manager Juande Ramos chose not to accept their offer to replace the Dutchman, despite what he termed "a dizzying offer", before later back-tracking.

 But forward Darren Bent, signed by Spurs for 16 million pounds (32 million dollars) this summer, described the idea of sacking a manger three games into a season as "ridiculous", while goalkeeper Paul Robinson was even stauncher in his support.

 "When you see how far Martin Jol has taken the club and the way he's managed it in the last two years, to then go behind his back to obviously seek other options is very disappointing," he said.

 "The manager has the full support of the players. There's been a lot that's happened and what the club has done is very disappointing.

 "The players are 110 per cent behind the manager and we just hope he stays as long as possible."

   After losing to Sunderland and Everton, Tottenham beat Derby last week, which at least means they have more points than their opponents, for whom Sunday's game is a must-win.

 Following last week's 3-0 defeat at Wigan, after which manager Roy Keane commented that "there's a fine line between loyalty and stupidity" Sunderland's team-sheet will draw much of the attention ahead of their Saturday lunchtime clash with Liverpool, with midfielder Dwight Yorke and forward Anthony Stokes both likely to miss out.

 Liverpool themselves are still smarting from last week's draw at home to Chelsea, when the Blues equalised from a highly controversial penalty.

 Manager Rafa Benitez, attacking the Premier League for their conduct in the Gabriel Heinze, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano transfer sagas, also protested at the scheduling on Saturday's match.

 "I would like to ask the Premier League why is it that Liverpool always plays the most fixtures away from home in an early kick-off, following an international break?" he asked, presumably implying that his side are disproportionately disadvantaged because they will have more international players than their opponents.

 Having beaten United last week, league-leaders Manchester City face another stern test away to Arsenal, while Jose Mourinho's new adventurous Chelsea are at home to Portsmouth.

 Newcastle travel to Middlesbrough for the Tyne-Tees derby in Sunday's other television game.

DPA