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Tottenham mustn't let things slip, says Jamie
Simon Rushworth22.12.08
Jamie O'Hara today warned his Tottenham team-mates not to let to their recovery slip over the festive period.
The midfielder is hoping to play a more active role in upcoming matches against Fulham and West Brom after being left on the substitutes' bench for yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle.
Damien Duff grabbed a dramatic late winner to leave manager Harry Redknapp frustrated but O'Hara is confident the result is only a minor setback in the club's climb up the table.
The 22-year-old said: "As a club we have achieved a fantastic run of results to get out of trouble but now we can't let it slip.
"We're still in there and we have to keep pushing on.
"The confidence is sky high and I'm sure we can push up the table. The belief in the players has changed a lot. Everyone is believing now that we can get into that top six and it's a realistic achievement for this season."
Redknapp's side dominated for long periods in front of a nervous Newcastle crowd and responded positively to the setback of conceding an 12th-minute goal to White Hart Lane transfer target Charles N'Zogbia.
Midway through the first-half, Luka Modric beat the offside trap and scored for the second time in four days. Tottenham then took control after the break but were punished by Duff - who Spurs failed to sign from Chelsea in 2006 - for not converting possession into clear-cut chances.
"Spurs are a decent side with some great players," said Newcastle boss and former White Hart Lane favourite Joe Kinnear. "They play some lovely football and with Aaron Lennon in there they're always a threat."
Lennon was Tottenham's top performer and it was the midfielder's teasing cross in the 85th minute which should have teed up substitute Fraizer Campbell.
But the on-loan Manchester United striker missed the ball and a golden opportunity to take all three points for Spurs - a mistake that he would rue just five minutes later.
Redknapp said: "If Fraizer had touched that it would have been in the back of the net and it would have been game over."
Reader views (6)
A war for points is brewing in the Premiership, but I'm hoping that Spurs will finish in 17th spot, or slightly better, with a big fat bonus for Harry.
I am a Spurs fan through and through, but I'm also a cold hearted realist and sense danger for the lads.
- Ted, London
Rob Hotspurs from the ministry of the bleeding obvious!
- Paxton, N17
OMG.... rob hotspurs has surfaced again!
- Mickey, Billericay
Leave Harry alone, great manager, but he has had the same problems as other managers, we need a creative midfielder, another lennon with quality on the left, maybe Capel from seville, forward and centre half..
When you are in control, we need that creative midfield player to win us games like this, class players.
Harry wave your powers and get Adriano, you can make him into a quality player!
- Adrian, london
Im getting extremely concerned that Harry's honeymoon preiod is drawing to an end & the deficiencies in the squad are slowly emerging. With many games coming up over xmas & in the new year we need reinforcements desperately. A quality back up keeper, a left back, either a right-back or a centre back, at least one forward. Failing which I cant see us qualifying for the UEFA cup next season.
- Rob Hotspurs, South London
needed a top quality striker, and a bit more bite in the midfield otherwise we will struggle to see games out.If you control the midfield you control the game.still not sure we have the right man in harry.The pressure will be on him after the january window closes.I do feel it is going to be touch and go for the rest of the season possibly with asmuch as ten clubs involved
- Gettingthereslowly, freeport, braintree
