Fight and stand up, Jol tells Spurs

Defeats by Sunderland and Everton have left Spurs bottom of the table in the face of an injury crisis, with victory against top flight newcomers Derby needed to kick-start a campaign where they are expected to challenge for a top-four place.

Scroll down to read more:

Only Pascal Chimbonda is available from Jol's first-choice defence, Aaron Lennon's pace has been missed on the flanks and Dimitar Berbatov's groin injury has been the latest problem.

With plenty of teams in the past recovering from poor starts, Jol believes the makeshift side he puts together can battle their way to a maiden victory to get Spurs back on track.

"I get paid to make the right decisions," said Jol. "It is all about spells but the only thing you hope for is that people give you a bit of time.

"If not, you have to fight and stand up. That is what the players will do. I will take the blows and they will have to stand up and do better for us."

Jol is confident consecutive fifth-placed finishes means he still has the support of the fans but there were inevitable jeers that come with a home defeat when Everton got the better of them on Tuesday.

Paul Stalteri, who has been playing out of position at left-back, said: "I can completely understand the fans' frustration, it's difficult for everyone when you lose but we need everyone's support on Saturday and we'll get it right in time.

"As a game it's as close as a must-win as you can get in terms of the start of the season."

As well his lengthy injury list - Ledley King, Gareth Bale and Michael Dawson are among the others sidelined - Jol has been up against teams hungry to claim Spurs as a scalp.

The Dutchman feels they are capable of wearing opponents down if they stick to the attacking football they showed last season.

"We scored more than 100 goals last year with the same players, exactly the same players, not new players," he said.

"In my team we have enough players to try to do something but now we have to play opponents who are difficult to break down. We were very unfortunate but that is not an excuse."

And in Everton, they also faced opponents who have aspirations of breaking back into the top four after finishing there three seasons ago.

"For me the only important thing is that we were fifth (last season) and it will be difficult to do because you I see Newcastle, Manchester City, Aston Villa and everyone is trying to do better," Jol added.

"You have got the top four and they are doing well over a number of years now so we have to challenge them over the next couple of years and do better than them. It is a challenge and not something that has happened in the past."

Billy Davies' side have claimed a point in their first week back in the top flight, and Jol expects his players to be given a stern examination.

"I saw them and they are full of energy, a typical club who have got promotion and want to do well, like Sunderland," he added.

"We feel that and sense that."

Spurs could still sign Curtis Davies from West Brom before the transfer deadline to ease their problems at the back. Spurs are understood to be the preferred destination for the former England Under-21 centre-back.

"I only want the best and if we cannot get the best I will not do anything," Jol said.