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Jenas - Europe here we come

Marty

Audere est farce
Mar 10, 2005
39,885
62,562
Article off SkySports, with JJ quotes off the Sun, so see what you make of it...

Jenas - Europe here we come

Midfielder feels that the club are gaining forward momentum

Jermaine Jenas believes that Spurs have finally put their poor start behind them and that everyone at the club is confident of still achieving a top six finish.

The 1-0 victory over Portsmouth on Saturday was Spurs' first away win in the Premier League this season, and their third win in their last five games.

Since Juande Ramos arrived at White Hart Lane he has seen his side lose only once, a run of form which is in sharp contrast to the club's start to the season, where they only managed one win in their first 12 games and were languishing in the relegation zone.

The result at Fratton Park has seen Spurs rise to twelfth, 12 points behind sixth placed Everton, and England midfielder Jenas feels that the club are starting to get back to where they belong.

Positive


"We're definitely looking up rather than down," he told the Sun.

"Most teams would be happy with a point at Fratton Park, so it just shows the positive attitude we have.

"We are a club which belongs in Europe, so we will definitely be pushing for a European slot this season.

"The manager belongs in Europe as well, especially with his record. He has won the Uefa Cup the last two years with Seville, so he won't want to let go of it now.

Momentum


"As a whole, we are more compact. There are less gaps opening up and we're a lot stronger. There's a feeling things have changed. The wheels are starting to turn.

"We're starting to gain some momentum but we've got a few more tough trips coming up. I hope I can still be saying the same things in a few weeks' time.

"It's difficult to say how the new manager is different. It's hard to put your finger on it.

"But the gaffer has his own thoughts and he needed to strengthen us, not just defensively but as a whole team. I think that's showing."

Concentration


Spurs' only other win away from home this term had come in the Uefa Cup at Hapeol Tel Aviv, and considering that Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United have all failed to take maximum points at Portsmouth, Saturday's result is even more impressive.

Jenas added: "Winning away had become a bit of a monkey on our backs this season. But also to win back-to-back games and keep a clean sheet was very important too.

"We were getting very frustrated about our away results because we didn't feel that we were under-performing.

"It was just a lack of concentration at key times and things that were going against us were costing us big-time.

"But to come to Fratton Park, play the way we did and take the points is very pleasing.

"A lot of good sides have not come away with a win here, it's not an easy place to come. But we did it in a nice way too. The football we played was entertaining, especially in the second-half."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2986575,00.html

Assuming this isn't all made up by the Sun (wouldn't put it past them), it's nice to see that the guys are staying positive.
 

jimbo

Cabbages
Dec 22, 2003
8,035
7,436
The attitude is right for sure, but 12 points is a massive gap, difficult to see that closing.
 

Glenn_Purvey

Well-Known Member
Apr 25, 2006
1,320
451
We must get something from arsenal then win our next 3 games

reading & fulham at home then villa on new years day then the gap will close on some of them for sure.
 

Netty

40 Ounce Bounce
Aug 14, 2007
12,465
153
Once Everton lose Yakubu, Pinnear (sp) & Yobo in the African cup we should be able to close the gap slightly.
 

tRiKS

Ledley's No.1 fan
Jun 6, 2005
6,854
142
Once Everton lose Yakubu, Pinnear (sp) & Yobo in the African cup we should be able to close the gap slightly.

But we'll lose Zokora!!! ...actually the impact of that sarcasum would be felt more if he hadn't have played pretty well recently.

seriously Rocha or Ledley needs to be back before we lose Zokora
 

WhiteHart4Ever

Well-Known Member
Feb 18, 2004
1,429
321
"We were getting very frustrated about our away results because we didn't feel that we were under-performing.

"It was just a lack of concentration at key times and things that were going against us were costing us big-time."

Too true, should have had 3 points at Liverpool, Fulham and Bolton if we just could focus.

The attitude is right for sure, but 12 points is a massive gap, difficult to see that closing.


To Everton, maybe, but not to City, Pompey, Villa. We have a better team than them, and should close at least 6 points on them easyly if we play to our best. Than its hoping they've overperformed a bit, which I reckon Pompey and Villa both have...

COME ON YOU SPURS!! :clap::clap::clap::clap:
 

WhiteHart4Ever

Well-Known Member
Feb 18, 2004
1,429
321
We must get something from arsenal then win our next 3 games.

Now, I do have a feeling that our season just kickstart, that the Hudd will score on a volleyshot tomorrow, and that we end up winning a trophy and going to Europe.

But Arse*nal are not the team I want to meet right now. Our main problem is defending when teams get the ball in on the ground between our midfield and defence. Arsenal do that excellent at terrific speed, and also have Fabregas and van Persie back from injury. Dont fancy our chances, I'm afraid.
 

PT

North Stand behind Pat's goal.
Admin
May 21, 2004
25,468
2,408
Same players - different mindset. Amazing what happens when a new culture sweeps in and takes effect. One or two tweaks and with a delapidated squad and one loss in nine.
 

SpurSince57

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2006
45,213
8,229
And having a coach you can be pretty certain is going to be around until at least the end of the season helps no end, I should think.
 

worcestersauce

"I'm no optimist I'm just a prisoner of hope
Jan 23, 2006
26,894
45,042
The problem isn't simply the amount of points we are adrift it's the he number of teams we are that far adrift of,
if you ignore he "fabulous four" we are 15 points down on City, 12 down on Everton & Portsmouth, 10 points down on Villa and 8 points down on Blackburn and that's 9th place Newcstle are 10th just 2 places higher than us but they are 7 points clear.
Bearing in mind these teams have to play each other so will get an average number of points from those fixtures, it's too many teams to drop too many points against the bottom teams for us to realistically make up but hey, if the players are up for it then good luck to them and it's great to see the confidence is back.

I reckon the best we can achieve is 9th or 10th so I still think the cups have to be the priority now.
 

SpurSince57

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2006
45,213
8,229
We have to average a minimum of 2 PPG between now and the end of the season to be in with a sniff of a top six place, I think. In other words, we can drop no more than 21 points out of a possible 63. Preferably, no more than 18. It's certainly do-able, but I'm not going to get my hopes up yet.
 

BigRed

lost somewhere
Staff
Jul 28, 2004
7,323
8
Has anyone done the treble not including the league before? :lol:

Liverpool won the FA cup, league cup and UEFA cup in 2001. The UEFA cup final was an incredible game which finished 4-4 after normal time and was then won by a golden goal.
 
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