They came to praise Caesar, not to bury him

It’s the 63rd minute of the Spurs-Getafe game. It’s 1-1, they’re not playing particularly well, but I still feel we could score soon. But the game isn’t what people are focusing on. At half time, rumours started spreading concerning the fact that this was to be Martin Jol’s last game in charge and that Juande Ramos would be replacing him after the game. It has been neither confirmed nor denied but the general feeling is that the big man is gone.

It’s now the 66nd minute. Berbatov just missed a header. Why would they do this now? During a game? It’s torture on the fans. But what hits me most, apart from the appalling timing of this, is the sadness of Jol’s imminent departure. Imagine being told that the second half of a game is to be your last 45 minutes at a club you have been synonimous with over the last three years? I’m behind Jol still and most fans also are. It’s so sad that he is about to leave given what he has produced for the club. And it’s what he could still give as well that makes him leaving such a sad thing.

69 minutes. Getafe have just taken the lead. If tonight could get any worse, then please let me know now. Keane is coming on, he has to play a blinder if we're to have any chance. The optimist in me says that if anyone is to replace Jol then they could do a lot worse than Ramos. He’s a promising coach, who did a great job with Sevilla and he could do wonders with Tottenham. But, one tends to look at the past rather than the future at times like this. Jol’s departure is utterly depressing. It represents the end of yet another promising few years where Spurs delivered so so much and got so so close. But yet they have, for reasons many, conspired to throw it away.

It was all there for the taking. Champions League football. A trophy or two. Maybe even a shot at the title in a year or so. In Berbatov, they had one of the best players in the world. Lennon, Keane, Zokora, Dawson. They were all quality players, performing regularly and to a high standard. Now, Berbatov is uninterested. Dawson is error prone. Robinson is turning into an awful keeper. It has gone well and truly pear shaped.

77 minutes. They have to do something now. This is one of the most melodramatic and emotional bits of football I have ever seen. Berbatov, Defoe and Kaboul all just should have scored. I have to finish this soon otherwise I’m going to start swearing.

If Jol is to leave in the next 10 minutes, it will be an incredibly disappointing end to such a good and promising era at Spurs. The fans loved him, the players loved him, everything was brilliant. Until now. Farewell Martin. You are clearly being pushed out of the job you have performed so well in. And I doubt we will see another like you for a while.