"Mido will get better" - Jol
Tottenham manager Martin Jol believes Egypt's Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam will emerge a better player after his bust-up with Pharaoh's coach Hassan Shehata.
The argument as he was substituted in the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations against Senegal cost him a place in the final.
Mido watched Egypt's win on penalties over the Ivory Coast from the stands.
Jol said: "I think he'll be more ambitious with us after what's happened and he'll use it as a positive."
The Spurs' boss added 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 said.
"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," he said.
"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."
The argument as he was substituted in the semi-final of the African Cup of Nations against Senegal cost him a place in the final.
Mido watched Egypt's win on penalties over the Ivory Coast from the stands.
Jol said: "I think he'll be more ambitious with us after what's happened and he'll use it as a positive."
The Spurs' boss added 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 said.
"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," he said.
"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."
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