Why Michael Dawson does not seem able to perform to the same level he did last season is a mystery but currently he is part of the problem and not the solution. Kaboul has great potential but has not yet acquired the premiership experience needed.
For sure the midfield does not contribute as it should and why the Club thought it essential to sign Jenas on a longer term contract must be a mystery to most fans. There is not a decent ball winner in the entire midfield! Huddleston needs to show the committment he did against Arsenal in every game.The flair of Lennon and Taarabt has to be matched with "steel" Neither can make any sort of meaningful defensive contribution. Its all a question of blending and balance in a team and Jol, has not found it and does not seem likely too. He did really well the last 2 seasons and why suddenly it has all gone so horribly wrong now when more talented players were bought in, is nonetheless perplexing!

Graham Duncan, Austin, Texas USA

It is sad to watch Spurs slide. I agree with Anthony Graham re a new midfield. They can't be worse than the current ineffectual foursome. The entire side look unfit, un-dynamic, and under-coached.

Jon S, Cape Town

Jon S, Cape Town, South Africa

It is not the manager on the pitch. It is the players.

The fault lies with them.

HT, London,

Sadly, Spurs are playing without a style , without a system , and without a heart and fighting spirit . All this is the fault of leadership and management - namely Jol . He must depart for the sake of the club , and a quiet and relaxed revivalist like Avram Grant need to be recruited

Morty Andreas, Los Angeles , CA., USA

Newcastle, in the past, have been in the same sorry mess that Spurs now find themselves in. On each occasion it required a change of manager to revive the clubs fortunes. Some may argue that it's too early in the season to sack a manager; quarter of the season has however gone and that will quickly become half, then they are in real trouble.
I must ask. Mr Forster, Batley, are you a "genuine football fan"? If so, then why do you wish relegation upon any team? Also, if you seriously think there are "fourth division" clubs in the Premier League you are seriously misguided. ALL clubs in the league are there on merit and are deserving of their place. How have you decided that Newcastle and Spurs are more undeserving than anyone else? By calling clubs such as Blackburn "fourth division", you imply that you believe them to also be undeserving of their place. As a genuine football fan, and of Newcastle, I wish Spurs well. Survival must however be worked for and not just expected.

Mark Davies, Hastings,

It's amazing to think that Spurs thought they would and should be in front of Arsenal this season. The substance of their beliefs are light years away from reality and as such they continue just to dream about what little success they did have 47 years ago!

Mike, Mission Viejo, USA

That performance by Spurs last night reflected a coaching system at the club that is not the required standard. Martin Jol waffels out the same rubbish week in and week out about our defending,he is the manager but does nothing about it. I have drawn the conclusion he is not capable of doing anything about it. He and Houghton should be shown the door now along with the rest of the incompetent staff he has there working with the first team. I feel that Clive Allen could do no worse in a holding role until Levy can get who he wants into the club.We have little or no fight in the team and certainly are lacking bite in the midfield.

Gerry Watters, Cheltenham,

I wonder if genuine football fans share my difficulty in knowing which of these non achieving clubs, who have robbed and pilaged more deservimg clubs of their best players,are more undeserving.While there are fourthdivision clubs in the premiership it would be wrong to wish clubs with such a large core of support relegated but has soon as the Wigans,Blackburns and Portsmouths of this world and their sugar daddies have been flushed down the toilet,those two will be next.

michael forster, batley, england

I agree with most points raised except, "with Keane racing forward to prod the ball home." Keane raced forward? From where I was sat he, fortunately, found himself in the path of the rebound. Don't get me wrong, it was all in all a vert entertaining match and I am taking nothing away from Keane but to describe him as racing forward and the inference that this was to get to the loose ball, is way off the mark.

DJ, Newcastle,

I think the board have to take action. The director of football has done nothing to help tottenham. Comolli is just a s cupable as Jol and Hughton. He has recruited the wrong sort of players over the summer and the coaching staff have done little to work on the areas needed. It is clear the spurs team need to practice defending. The midfield is light weight. Jenas, Zokora and Malbranque lack both the competitive edge to dominate games and have no ideas or creativity. Jol needs to play Boateng, Huddlestone, Taarabt and lennon when fit and some of the other fringe players. They cannot do any worse. I love spurs but feel they have no direction or leadership and cannot rely on king being fit. Jermaine Defoe must start as at least he displays a love for the club. I fear for the club I love

Anthony Graham, London,