Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe claims consistency will be key to reclaiming Champions League spot

BPL, Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers, Mark Davies and Jermain Defoe (Getty Images)

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Jermain Defoe believes Tottenham can handle the pressure as they look to secure a place in the Premier League’s top four and Champions League for the second successive season.

Spurs pipped Manchester City to fourth spot last season with a dramatic Peter Crouch goal at Eastlands in the penultimate game of the season.

Defoe says it would be “special” to repeat the feat of last season and consistency could again be the key to league success.

“It’s hotting up and it reminds me of last season, to be honest,” Defoe told Hotspur Magazine.

“When we were in that fourth spot, the consistency we showed was unbelievable.

“There was a lot of pressure on and we did it in the end. To do it again would be special.

“The pressure’s good though, it keeps you on your toes.”

The Spurs striker hasn’t scored a league goal this season despite featuring 11 times and currently has 97 club goals for the club.

The White Hart Lane club are still in Europe’s top competition and lead AC Milan 1-0 going into the last 16 second leg clash in two weeks.

He added: “We know every game is now like a cup final. We’ve just got to approach it and think: ‘We’ve got to win.’

“A point is not enough, we’ve got to get three points, and you’ve got to have that winning mentality.

“The top teams over the years; they’ve done it so we’ve got to be the same.

“I believe we can do that. We’ve got great players, a squad of internationals, players who can handle that pressure, who’ve played many times for their
countries.

“And the team spirit’s really good; I think that’s important as well. When the spirit’s good everyone is together, we’re all fighting for each other.”