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Zokora: Jol needs three wins

Image: Jol: Under pressure

Didier Zokora has urged his Tottenham team-mates to win their next three games to take the pressure off Martin Jol.

Midfielder voices support for beleaguered manager

Didier Zokora has urged his Tottenham team-mates to win their next three games to take the pressure off Martin Jol. Spurs' season took another disappointing turn on Monday as they lost 3-1 at Newcastle. They remain in the bottom three of the Premier League and Zokora accepts that Jol's position will come under even more scrutiny if Spurs cannot beat Getafe, Blackburn and Blackpool at home over the next seven days. "We've got to turn things around for the fans and for the manager," Zokora told the Daily Express. "The players are totally behind Martin Jol. He is a good man and a good coach. Maybe his confidence has gone a little, but he is still a top, top manager. "We know the way football works, but we now have three home games in a row against Getafe, Blackburn and Blackpool and after three wins everything will look a lot better. "We have to get those victories because the manager needs it and we, the players, are desperate to start winning again."

Fans' frustration

Many Tottenham fans appear to be losing patience with Jol following reports of a bust-up between the manager and star striker Dimitar Berbatov, Speculation about Jol's future has been rife since the start of the season and Daniel Wynne, chairman of the Tottenham Supporters' Trust, admits he is now questioning whether the Dutchman can stay in the job. "Martin has got us out of this situation before. Can he do it again? I'm not so sure," Wynne said in the Daily Mirror. "If the team are not doing it for Martin, maybe they will do it for another manager. "There are still plenty of points to play for, but there was no commitment or passion against Newcastle. It appears that the players are not playing for the manager anymore."
Hughes in the frame
Sevilla coach Juande Ramos has been linked with the manager's position at White Hart Lane this season but tabloid speculation now suggests Tottenham are lining up Mark Hughes to replace Jol. Hughes has impressed at Blackburn in recent years and Spurs bosses are reportedly ready to make an offer for his services.