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Spurs boss hopes Mido will improve
Tottenham manager Martin Jol believes the striker will emerge a better player from his touchline tantrum with Egypt coach.
Mido's Tottenham manager Martin Jol believes the striker will emerge a better player from his touchline tantrum with Egypt coach Hassa Shehata which cost him a place in Friday's African Nations Cup final win against Ivory Coast.
Mido had to watch his teammates' 4-2 penalties win from the stands after being slapped with a six month ban from the national side after calling Shehata "a donkey" for substituting him in Tuesday's quarter-finals against Senegal.
Jol, who has been in constant touch with Mido since his fall from grace, said: "I understand why he was frustrated, because the game was 1-1 when they took him off — and he always believes that he can score.
"But I think he will be more ambitious with us because of what has happened with Egypt and he will use it as a positive."
Jol says Mido has never caused him any hassle since arriving at White Hart Lane.
"He has been no trouble at all for me since he came here. He's very helpful to us — but he's a young kid and has had to grow up quickly.
"He has done well on and off the pitch — and although it's not really our responsibility, he's our player so I have to have an opinion on it.
"I do feel sorry for him in that he's not allowed to play in the final, but there's always two ways of looking at the situation.
"In this one you have to say that the coach was right, because the substitute scored the goal and they won the game. A winning coach is always right."
As for Mido, who could make his Premiership return in Sunday's game against Sunderland, Jol hopes he can get back on track soon.
"I know he's an emotional guy — a lot of the top players are. There is a lot of tension with them, because they want to perform.
"But you don't need players to live on the edge, and for most of his time with us he has shown a great mentality and been a winner.
"He's done a lot of travelling and played for many clubs, so he has had to learn fast — and not only about football."
Jol, who telephoned Mido immediately after the end of the match with Senegal, is looking forward to his striker's return.
"We haven't won any of the last three away games, so we have obviously missed him up front. He gives us great balance."
