Jol critics reduced to a whisper

He pointed to 125 Premier League points in two seasons, five quarter-finals, one semifinal and a developing young team, but he also admitted it would probably not be enough to stop the whispering campaign gathering momentum.

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"There are always whispers," he said as he tackled questions with a blend of humour, dignity and supreme confidence.

Jol knew reports would start to emerge a few hours later about Spurs vice-chairman Paul Kemsley and secretary John Alexander meeting Sevilla coach Juande Ramos in a hotel in the Spanish city.

Ramos said yesterday he had been at the Alphonso XIII Hotel to meet a friend who had 'nothing to do with football'. Kemsley was in Seville on holiday, Spurs said, and Alexander was there for a private meeting. Quite a coincidence.

A Tottenham spokesman said: "We are not in negotiations with anybody to replace Martin Jol."

Even if you give Spurs the benefit of the doubt and suggest they are wisely scouting managers for future reference — Jurgen Klinsmann's name has also appeared on the radar — it is hugely unsettling for Jol, who is popular with supporters and admired within the game.

Bookmakers Coral suspended betting briefly last week after an influx of big bets on the Dutchman being the next Premier League boss to lose his job and the FA are set to investigate.

Rumours are circulating around White Hart Lane, where internal politics threaten to drag Spurs into the sort of backroom power struggle endured by Chelsea last season. Asked if he thought people were undermining him from within, Jol said: "I don't know. I don't think so but you never know. I would not have made a big bet on my situation."

Did he think he would have survived defeat at home to Derby? He said: "I never mentioned it to the players because I don't like that sort of stuff. I don't know. It would have been an horrendous scenario. I always force myself to think positive."

Manchester United away next Sunday and a derby against Arsenal next month is not the ideal schedule for a man who must avoid defeats to secure his job.

Jol added: "Nobody before me, in the last 20-25 years, did the same as me with so many points. Of course, there will always be guys who say you can do better. As a manager you want time to build your team.

"The board never told me personally that we have to break into the top four. If you are Arsenal or Liverpool, how many players would you take from our team? If it is more than six or seven, we have to be fourth. But if it is only one or two, then fifth is over-achieving."

Mido didn't help when he marked his arrival at Middlesbrough last week with claims that team selection at Spurs was marred by politics. This was interpreted as a swipe at the relationship between Jol, who picks the team, and director of football Damien Comolli, who signs the players.

For conspiracy theorists ready to believe the Spurs dressing room has its factions, a fascinating scene unfolded after Steed Malbranque's second- minute goal against Derby. He dashed to the bench after fizzing the ball into the net as if to say: "That's for you, boss."

Jol opened his arms to greet his chunky midfielder but Malbranque flew past the manager for hugs with substitute Didier Zokora, freshly dropped. Jol looked embarrassed but the fans embraced him with their songs as Malbranque had curled home his second and Jermaine Jenas had made it three before half-time.

Jenas said: "We're a top side, we've spent a lot of money and people demand results. You get pressure but he's handled it like a top manager. He's spoken to us in the right manner, given us a rollicking when we needed it but also kept faith in us. The gaffer is a big character."

Jenas passed his own test of character after being jeered by his own fans during the midweek defeat by Everton, and then being dumped by England. His goal was a wonderful solo effort, winning the ball in midfield and driving through a porous Derby defence.

Jol said: "I don't think Jenas had been playing badly but everything was on his shoulders. What more can you ask if a player is getting some stick but the next game he is the best player on the pitch?"

Spurs coasted through the second half and Darren Bent scored his first goal for the club, a header from an inch, after Pascal Chimbonda had hit the bar 10 minutes from time.

There was no positive in sight for Derby boss Billy Davies, who hopes to sign Eddie Lewis from Leeds this week.