Jol predicts better times ahead

Tottenham manager Martin Jol salutes fans at the end of the English Premiership football clash between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Derby County FC at Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium, north London. Tottenham won 4-0.

Martin Jol challenged his Tottenham team to take the Premier League by storm after they eased the pressure on their manager with a thumping victory over Derby.

The Dutchman's postion was looking under serious threat before the game at White Hart Lane on Saturday, but a resounding 4-0 win over the Rams will have him breathing a little easier.

Bookmakers had briefly stopped taking bets that Jol would be dismissed such were the large sums being placed on his sacking after Spurs started the season with two successive defeats.

But Jol is confident the morale-boosting win will prove to be a turning point.

"When we fire as a team and a club we can be a force again," he said. "From now on we will get better and better.

"The reaction you saw at the start shows that we have strength, not just physically but mentally."

Jermaine Jenas(bottom) of Tottenham challenges Andy Todd of Derby during their English Premiership clash at White Hart Lane stadium in north London. Tottenham ran out 4-0 winners against Derby.

The Spurs boss admitted he had been feeling the strain but predicted an easier ride ahead, saying: "It's a relief for everyone, it's horrendous in this industry if you play two games and don't get a result.

"No matter what, you need results and next week it will be someone else under pressure, that's a good fault of the English press."

Jol couldn't have wished for a better start as Steed Malbranque put his team ahead after just 75 seconds.

Things got even better in the sixth minute when Malbranque grabbed his second goal to make it 2-0.

Steed Malbranque of Tottenham celebrates scoring his second goal during the English Premiership match against Derby County FC at White Hart Lane stadium, in northern London. Malbranque's double strike helped ease the pressure on Martin Jol as Tottenham ran out 4-0 winners against Derby.

The game was over as a contest as early as the 16th minute when Jermaine Jenas scored a third for the home team.

Darren Bent provided the icing on the cake for his manager in the 80th minute by making it 4-0 and scoring his first goal since his big-money move from Charlton.

The Dutch coach envisaged better times ahead for Jenas following criticism from the crowd during Spurs' midweek defeat against Everton.

He said: "When you are under pressure you have to stand up and show you're strong and Jenas showed that. He is not Paul Gascoigne but he is good on the ball and has great stamina."

Speaking about Bent, Jol said: "It's so important for him to get his first goal for us. When you score you get a better feeling and then you get good form."

Jermaine Jenas of Tottenham(R) is congratulated by teammate Robbie Keane after scoring their third goal against Derby County FC at White Hart Lane stadium in north London. Tottenham ran out 4-0 winners against Derby.

The Spurs boss was further encouraged by news that the injured Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Dawson and Gareth Bale would all be in contention soon.

Also England defender Ledley King could be back sooner than expected after initially being ruled out until the end of Spetember.

Visiting manager Billy Davies admitted his squad was not currently strong enough for the Premier League.

He said: "We need to add to the squad, we need more fire power and more quality. Only once the transfer window shuts on September 1st can we prepare for this league.

"We have financial constraints as we haven't had a season to consolidate but strikers remain a major target and main priority."

Davies admitted particular interest in bringing Leeds winger Eddie Lewis to Pride Park.