Spurs’ Christmas cheer gives Redknapp renewed conviction

HARRY REDKNAPP has reiterated his belief that Tottenham are title contenders after hailing the feelgood factor within the club.

Redknapp first aired such a suggestion following a 3-2 victory over bitter rivals Arsenal five weeks ago, and he did so again after the 2-1 victory at Aston Villa on Sunday in which Spurs played for over an hour with 10 men in the wake of Jermain Defoe’s dismissal.

Redknapp rightly recognises Tottenham are long shots as they stand fifth in the Barclays Premier League, seven points behind unbeaten Manchester United who have also played a game less. But after witnessing the spirit and resilience of his players in the face of adversity at Villa Park, Redknapp feels it would be foolish to write off his side.

“I’ve not changed my mind. But we are massive outsiders —– 33-1 or whatever —- and that’s about right I suppose. I keep saying it’s open this season, and it’s not impossible. You have got to believe you can achieve something. It’s there for someone to have a real crack at it this season as there is very little between the top five or six teams. We’re playing as well as anybody, and we’ve people who could get in any team —- Bale, Modric, van der Vaart.

“We’ve some quality players throughout the team. We’ve a good squad. The main aim is obviously to get into that top four again, to get back into the Champions League. But if you have a good run, you don’t know where it can take you. It’s happened before.”

Tottenham are currently on such a good run you have to go back to November 6 for their last defeat, since when they are unbeaten in their last nine matches, including seven in the league —– four wins and three draws.

With games at home to Newcastle today and Fulham on New Year’s Day to come this week, there is every prospect of Spurs extending their unbeaten sequence to nine league matches. Redknapp certainly feels he has the squad of players and the club behind him to push United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City all the way for the remainder of the season.

“We’ve the spirit, of course we have. If you saw us training on Christmas Day there was a good atmosphere. There’s a good feeling about this club, and that’s important I think. When you’ve a good spirit amongst the players and they’re all together, and with a bit of belief it’s amazing what you can achieve. Let’s be honest, there’s also no shortage of ability. (Michael) Dawson is back, (Younes) Kaboul returned for the game with Villa, (Sebastien) Bassong has been unlucky but been playing well. William) Gallas has been fantastic, (Ledley) King is getting fit. Suddenly there is real competition, some strength there.”

Meanwhile, Steven Taylor is convinced he can fulfil his ambitions with Newcastle after finally signing a new five-and-a-half year contract. The 24-year-old central defender looked to heading out of the club when he was transfer-listed after failing to agree a new deal.

But with new boss Alan Pardew as keen to retain the services of one of the Magpies’ most promising Academy graduates as his predecessor Chris Hughton had been, a compromise has been reached.