Jol appeared undermined by Spurs when officials met Sevilla boss Juande Ramos in Spain, although chairman Daniel Levy has since publicly given the coach his backing.

The aim for Jol and Hughton is to get the club into the Champions League and they travel to Fulham tomorrow looking for their second win of the season, with their other three games ending in defeat.

"The spirit among the players has not dwindled over this period of time and that puts us in good stead," said Hughton.

"We haven't started the season as well as we would have liked but there has been a genuine effort from the players to improve that situation.

"It's been a different couple of weeks and that is when you see the characters and qualities we have in the squad."

Despite Levy's backing, Jol is still seen as a manager under pressure to deliver, although he does have the support of his players and the majority of fans.

Hughton has not needed to comfort Jol during the past couple of weeks.

"Martin has been good," he said. "He's a big personality and he's also a very experienced manager. He certainly doesn't need an arm around him.

"These things happen in football and the most important thing is you come through it and improve as a team and a club."

Jol has received thousands of emails of support, and fans chanted his name before and during the defeat at Manchester United last weekend.

"I've always been aware of the support for Martin from fans, for what we are trying to achieve," said Hughton. "We see far more positives than negatives.

"He's popular for the right reasons - the supporters can identify with his brand of football, they genuinely see an individual who is trying his hardest for their beloved football club."

Hughton, however, insists it has not been a specific meeting with the players to address the situation Jol has faced.

He added: "You speak to the players every day, you put your arms around the players every day and we haven't made a specific point of it. But that all comes into the spirit of the training pitch.

"Most players are aware of what went on and felt what went on but the most important thing is to come through it and win games.

"The players are very fond of Martin and for them it is business as normal."

Injuries have been a factor in Spurs' poor start to the season but they have Aaron Lennon returning to fitness and he is expected to play some part against Fulham.

Centre-backs Younes Kaboul and Michael Dawson are also in contention, although Craven Cottage has not been a happy hunting ground for Dawson.

The 23-year-old has conceded a penalty and received a red card in his last two league games at Fulham's ground.