ACCORDING to several sources in the national media, the Tottenham board are eyeing up Mark Hughes as a possible replacement for Martin Jol.

But can someone please tell me, Why would Sparky want to swap what he's got going at Blackburn for the poisoned chalice that is the Spurs job?' Mark has spent three years building a Rovers side in his own image and likeness, and he would be a fool if he walked away from that now.

Tottenham can offer a manager two things that Rovers can't: big crowds and plenty of cash to spend in the transfer market.

However, a cursory glance at the current league table will tell you that money doesn't always buy you success.

What a manager really wants is stability and the chance to work for a board he knows he can trust implicitly.

Those are two things Hughes has at Blackburn, where he is left to get on with the job of managing the club, without unwanted interference from above.

At Tottenham, however, it seems to be a completely different story and, as a result, Jol's position has now become virtually untenable.

No manager can do his job properly knowing the board are conspiring behind his back, which is why Jol became a dead man walking from the moment it emerged a Tottenham delegation had flown to Spain to hold secret talks with the Seville coach Juande Ramos.

With that kind of skullduggery going on in the background, it's hardly surprising Jol and Tottenham are struggling at the wrong end of the Premiership because it leads to uncertainty and paranoia in the dressing room.

Another problem at Spurs is the weight of expectation from the fans, who view the club as a top four team but also demand a certain brand of football as well. Tottenham have a rich tradition of playing attractive football and most managers who have gone there have tried to keep that up.

As a result, most of the big signings tend to be attacking players but, as Newcastle have also discovered to their cost, that isn't always the recipe for success.

Tottenham have only ever won English football's biggest prize twice, and the last occasion was 46 years ago.

So if Spurs come calling, I'm sure Sparky will say, Thanks. But no thanks,' because the reality is Rovers are a far better bet in his overall career plan.