Football: Jenas: We are a Brit of all right

JERMAINE Jenas reckons the British bulldog spirit will help Tottenham follow Chelsea's example and bring the glory days back to White Hart Lane.

Spurs have splashed the cash in a bid to compete with the likes of Jose Mourinho's big-money squad, and are currently third in the Premiership.

But Jenas claims it is all down to a solid core of England players like Paul Robinson, Ledley King, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe.

The England man said: "We have an abundance of good young English players and that can only benefit us in the long run. It's nice to play in a team with a lot of English lads.

"I think if you look at Chelsea and the success they've had with people like John Terry and Frank Lampard, it's important to have that English core.

"English players know what this league is all about, whereas sometimes it's more difficult for foreign players to understand it all."

Jenas has been a huge hit in midfield since his pounds 7m transfer from Newcastle in August, but Spurs boss Martin Jol wants him to be more vocal on the pitch.

The Dutchman claims his team sometimes lack leadership in the centre of the park - and he wants Jenas to take more responsibility.

He said: "I gave Jenas a compliment in training the other day because he was shouting at his team-mates - that is what we need.

"If you play in that position, you have to coach the other players. It is an on-going process.

"That is what you have to do if you have a big squad."

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