Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart: ‘We mess up too much against the smaller teams’

Rafael Van Der Vaart, Tottenham (Getty Images)

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Tottenham‘s Dutch star Rafael van der Vaart has suggested his side need to stop dropping points against smaller clubs if they are to compete at the top of the table.

Spurs have been the surprise package of this year’s Champions League and are set to face Real Madrid in the first leg of their quarter-final on Tuesday, but first must find their way past Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium on Saturday.

The 28-year-old has raised concerns that while the north London club can perform against the big teams, their poor form against lesser opponents could ruin the high hopes held for this season.

Speaking to Nu Sport, he said: “Tottenham are still in the process of developing. In our last three league games against Blackpool, Wolves and West Ham we’ve taken just two points.

“But it ought to have been nine, and that is stupid. We do very well against the bigger clubs, but we mess up too much against the smaller sides.   

“Maybe that is the final step that we need to take. We have sufficient money to remain in the race with the other big clubs.”

Van der Vaart, an £8 million summer acquisition from Real Madrid, has received wide acclaim for his performances this season ane insists he sees his immediate future at White Hart Lane.

“The fact that I’m not being linked with top clubs does not matter to me,” he added. “I don’t intend to leave Spurs after just a year.  

“You always have to be ambitious. I want to win trophies, and I think in the short term I can do that every year with Tottenham.  

“The chairman is very enthusiastic. He’ll say: ‘I want to sign this player and that player.’ I like the sound of that.   

“If we can qualify for the Champions League once again next season it will become easier to attract new signings.   

“The chairman gave former manager Martin Jol a Porsche as a present after a good run of results.  

“He hasn’t yet done something similar for us. But maybe he might if we win the Champions League.”