Morning:
13°c
Sebastien Bassong insists Tottenham can still challenge for a top four finish in the Premier League despite their humbling at Arsenal.
Spurs have failed to keep a clean sheet in the League all season and dropped to fifth in the table after Saturday's defeat at Emirates Stadium.
But Bassong, who expects to be sidelined for a month after limping off with a hamstring injury, said: "We have big quality in the squad and if we improve and work hard, we can take a top four position.
"We need to keep working and work every day because that game on Saturday showed you can never stop at that level. If you don't work, you are going to be disappointed again and again. To be in the top four, we need more."
Manager Harry Redknapp rued the absence of Luka Modric and Aaron Lennon through injury and the suspended Jermain Defoe but backed his side to recover when Sunderland visit White Hart Lane this weekend.
He said: "We'll be back and we'll be playing well again. I still feel we can get in the Champions League. When Modric and Lennon are fit and Defoe's back, I think we have a terrific team."
Meanwhile, Arsenal's security around the dug-out at the Emirates Stadium has been highlighted again after Tottenham staff reported the behaviour of a fan to stewards.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has previously criticised the design of the stadium for being too open.
Redknapp said: "He was swearing and there were little kids standing there. I don't understand why people do that. I just asked if he could behave himself and act like a proper human being."
Reader views (5)
I think it was the late Bill Shankley who said that if you gave 110% on a Saturday you did not have to train that hard in the week after.Perhaps Mr Bassong should think about that and put the effort in on a Saturday
- Ray, Enfield
Rob the gooner,hotspur..stating the quite obvious again...duh.. The gooner mob are quite happy to get that so called top four,regardless of no trophies lets get top four,qualify for the money cup,or is it the falsely named Champions League,where teams who should not be there regardless of what uefa think play..its all money money not trophies these days,pretty footy wins you plaudits but no trophies unless you are of Barcas quality
- Jacko, berks
Bassong is obviously suffering the same mental breakdown, as that suffered by his hamstring. His team have only beaten the bottom 3 this season, 2 mid to lower table teams & a poor Liverpool team. They have lost to the following top four sides - Man U, Chelsea & Arsenal. They have yet to play the other top four contender Man City, whom no doubt they will lose to as well. In reality Tottenham are fighting with Livepool, Stoke, Aston Villa, Everton & Sunderland for 5th & 6th place.
- Rob Gooner, North London
"Failed to keep a clean sheet in the league all season"? What about Spurs 5 Burnley 0 ?
- Roy, London
Spura are plain and simple rubbish ,with no chance now or next season or whenever of winning the Premier League.When
you have donkeys in defence ,there,s no way of keeping clea
n sheets and with Robbie(to keen)Keane talking to much instead of scoring goals ,well carrying on dreaming like the wanabes,Man.City,Liverpool ,Aston Villa,Everton,teams lacking the quality and quantity of players to win the title .Up the Gooners.
- Samuel, jhb
