Jol tells boo-boys: lay off Atouba

14 April 2012

Martin Jol today urged Tottenham fans to stop abusing Thimothee Atouba.

The Cameroon defender was targeted by a frustrated section of the White Hart Lane crowd during last week's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Nottingham Forest.

But his manager believes the terrace jibes are unfair and is fearful of the boo-boys damaging the 22-year-old's confidence.

Jol said: "The reaction was a bit harsh. I don't like it when they get on his back. We have to play another game this week and Thimothee is a player who lives on confidence. Hopefully, it is the last time they do it.

"It was obvious we had a problem with crossing against Forest. I don't think we played bad football, we just couldn't open them up.

"Thimothee's a young player, Stephen Kelly is a young player and Simon Davies has only played five or six games since coming back from illness.

"It was down to a lack of a bit of brilliance on the flanks but you can't expect a full-back to beat two or three players and put the ball in the net.

"Thimothee is the kind of player who people seem to love or hate. But I can't understand why they don't like him."

Atouba is doubtful for tomorrow's home game against Fulham with a knee ligament problem. Fellow defenders Michael Dawson (shin) and Anthony Gardner (knee) are also missing.

Despite recovering from a knee injury, midfielder Sean Davis will not play against his former club. Jol believes he needs another reserve game to fully regain match fitness. Winger Andy Reid is expected to return after being cup-tied for the Forest game.

Meanwhile, Fulham manager Chris Coleman today urged his players to forget any thoughts of coasting through the remainder of the season.

A successful start to 2005 has lifted Fulham clear of the relegation zone, though the Welshman is aware that a defeat tomorrow would give the teams below them renewed hope.

"We've still got everything to play for," said Coleman. "The nine-point gap [between Fulham and 18th place] is only three games and you can easily lose three games."

Fulham defeated Spurs earlier in the season in a match that marked the end of Jacques Santini's disastrous reign but Coleman is aware their opponents are now a much different proposition.

"The way they play has got Martin Jol stamped all over it and they will pose different problems to when we played them earlier in the season," said Coleman.

"They have brought in a lot of younger players and Spurs will see the reward of that in a few years."

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Jol tells boo-boys: lay off Atouba

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