The European hopefuls face a crowded fixture ahead, as they aim for the Europa crown as well as a top four finish. However a fairy tale end to the season might be a bit farfetched for the North London side.
Tottenham face Swiss champions FC Basel on Thursday night, having made it so far in the competition Spurs will now make sure they go all the way and give in all they can in order to succeed in the tournament.
However they will not have much breathing space, and will be hosting a compatible Everton side on Sunday as they aim for a top four finish in the Barclays Premier League.
Things will not get any easier for the London side and they will be against some of the top teams in the world from then onwards. An away leg against Basel will be followed by matches against Chelsea and Manchester City rounding up a hectic month for the ambitious Tottenham side.
Spurs are thus trapped in a dilemma, and might have to sacrifice one of the achievements for the other. Their rivals Arsenal on the other hand are ready to pounce on their slump, the Gunners are only four points behind Tottenham and have a game in hand.
Tottenham and Welsh star Gareth Bale who has been in blistering form this season appears to be very determined, the former Southampton man believes that Spurs can embark on a successful season by claiming a top four finish as well as the Europa League crown.
Speaking to Eurosport the 23 year old said:
“The main thing for us is that we don’t get carried away. We’re comfortably able to finish fourth in the league and competing for third – we’ve got to take it game by game."
“We can push on in the Europa League as well against Basle. Our away form has been very good – we showed that against Lyon. We want to do as well as we can in both competitions.”
Former Tottenham player Micky Hazard has echoed Bale’s words and believes that Spurs have what it takes to achieve all their objectives this season.
"I think it's possible for Spurs to win both the Europa League and finish fourth” said the one time UEFA Cup winner
However the Englishman was keener on European glory than a top four finish.
“if I had to choose one, it'd be winning the Europa League. Football's about glory and winning a trophy is the glory!” continued Hazard
The former Spurs man also hailed the current Tottenham crop and reiterated that their quality was unmatched and compared them to the best teams in the league.
"I think we'll finish fourth - although I believe we are better than that - but we need to be tougher mentally against the top clubs as we are as good as them."
Tottenham central midfielder Scott Parker seems to share the same beliefs, and according to him winning a trophy will greater highlight the team’s performance this season.
"I know for a fact that every one of us in that changing room wants to go on and try to win something," Parker said. "The Europa League is a big competition, with big teams in it, and if you win it, you've done bloody well."
The Europa League holds less prominence in England and participation in the tournament is not really regarded as being the biggest of achievements. Tottenham by qualifying for the Champions League will not only be playing in the most prestigious competition in Europe, but will also be recipients of the various perks it has to offer.
To begin with Tottenham will benefit from a huge inflow of funds, clubs are believed to be earning 3.8 million Euros for qualifying for the group stage and are further provided 500,000 Euros for every match which is played in the group stages.
Apart from the monetary benefits, Tottenham will be able to attract star players to the club and continue its steady rise to the top. By qualifying for the Champions League Spurs can also convince their star player Gareth Bale of their ambitions, which might instigate the Madrid bound winger to extend his stay with Spurs.
To have ready cash at hand, attract world class players, and hold on to your top players is a perfect formula every team in the world would want to work with. And if Spurs successfully do so, they certainly will be title contenders in a matter of few years.
But with only two trophies in two decades a European crown will be more than welcome in Tottenham’s trophy cabinet. Lifting a trophy can do wonders for the side and give them confidence to achieve many great things in the future.
Tottenham fans will never forget the summer of 1984 when they last won a European title, it was surely a moment to relish for them and the White Hart Lane will be eager to experience similar moments once again.
However they will not have much breathing space, and will be hosting a compatible Everton side on Sunday as they aim for a top four finish in the Barclays Premier League.
Things will not get any easier for the London side and they will be against some of the top teams in the world from then onwards. An away leg against Basel will be followed by matches against Chelsea and Manchester City rounding up a hectic month for the ambitious Tottenham side.
Spurs are thus trapped in a dilemma, and might have to sacrifice one of the achievements for the other. Their rivals Arsenal on the other hand are ready to pounce on their slump, the Gunners are only four points behind Tottenham and have a game in hand.
Tottenham and Welsh star Gareth Bale who has been in blistering form this season appears to be very determined, the former Southampton man believes that Spurs can embark on a successful season by claiming a top four finish as well as the Europa League crown.
Speaking to Eurosport the 23 year old said:
“The main thing for us is that we don’t get carried away. We’re comfortably able to finish fourth in the league and competing for third – we’ve got to take it game by game."
“We can push on in the Europa League as well against Basle. Our away form has been very good – we showed that against Lyon. We want to do as well as we can in both competitions.”
Former Tottenham player Micky Hazard has echoed Bale’s words and believes that Spurs have what it takes to achieve all their objectives this season.
"I think it's possible for Spurs to win both the Europa League and finish fourth” said the one time UEFA Cup winner
However the Englishman was keener on European glory than a top four finish.
“if I had to choose one, it'd be winning the Europa League. Football's about glory and winning a trophy is the glory!” continued Hazard
The former Spurs man also hailed the current Tottenham crop and reiterated that their quality was unmatched and compared them to the best teams in the league.
"I think we'll finish fourth - although I believe we are better than that - but we need to be tougher mentally against the top clubs as we are as good as them."
Tottenham central midfielder Scott Parker seems to share the same beliefs, and according to him winning a trophy will greater highlight the team’s performance this season.
"I know for a fact that every one of us in that changing room wants to go on and try to win something," Parker said. "The Europa League is a big competition, with big teams in it, and if you win it, you've done bloody well."
The Europa League holds less prominence in England and participation in the tournament is not really regarded as being the biggest of achievements. Tottenham by qualifying for the Champions League will not only be playing in the most prestigious competition in Europe, but will also be recipients of the various perks it has to offer.
To begin with Tottenham will benefit from a huge inflow of funds, clubs are believed to be earning 3.8 million Euros for qualifying for the group stage and are further provided 500,000 Euros for every match which is played in the group stages.
Apart from the monetary benefits, Tottenham will be able to attract star players to the club and continue its steady rise to the top. By qualifying for the Champions League Spurs can also convince their star player Gareth Bale of their ambitions, which might instigate the Madrid bound winger to extend his stay with Spurs.
To have ready cash at hand, attract world class players, and hold on to your top players is a perfect formula every team in the world would want to work with. And if Spurs successfully do so, they certainly will be title contenders in a matter of few years.
But with only two trophies in two decades a European crown will be more than welcome in Tottenham’s trophy cabinet. Lifting a trophy can do wonders for the side and give them confidence to achieve many great things in the future.
Tottenham fans will never forget the summer of 1984 when they last won a European title, it was surely a moment to relish for them and the White Hart Lane will be eager to experience similar moments once again.
