Jol: I respect Dowie

Tottenham manager Martin Jol today insisted he had full respect for Iain Dowie and did not want to be dragged into trading insults with the Crystal Palace boss.

Jol attempted to defuse a row which was sparked when Dowie, working as a television pundit, questioned the selection of Pedro Mendes on the right of midfield in Tottenham's defeat to Aston Villa last Monday.

Jol claimed the Palace boss was "not fit to mend my shoelaces", prompting a response from Dowie challenging the Dutchman to "show some balls" and talk to him face to face.

"He took RKC Waalwijk from the verge of bankruptcy in Holland and got them out of it. I've researched what he's done and I respect it. It's a shame he's not had the decency to do the same," the former Northern Ireland international said.

Jol reiterated his belief that Dowie should not have criticised another team, but insisted he had done his research.

"We are good colleagues. He is the same as I was in Holland, he brought a small team to the Premiership. Maybe he didn't know, but I know all about him," said Jol.

"I respect him, and he knows that. There is no story. The only thing I said is that it is not done when one manager talks about another manager's team.

"He shouldn't make comments on my team, but when he is a pundit you have to say something and I appreciate that. I have no problem with him."

Jol tried to explained that his shoelace comment is not as disparaging when used in Holland as it came across in English.

"In Holland if you criticise men, I say you can't do my shoelaces, but it is different to say you are not fit to do my shoelaces," Jol said.

Former Aston Villa manager John Gregory was also critical of Tottenham while working as a pundit alongside Dowie, but his comments do not concern Jol.

"John Gregory can say anything he likes because he is not a manager, so it is not a problem with me," he said.