Andre Villas-Boas has declared that Tottenham Hotspur AREN’T Premier League title contenders ahead of their trip to Manchester City on Sunday.
Spurs, who suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Newcastle United at White Hart Lane before the international break, are currently five points behind leaders Arsenal.
Whilst Villas-Boas doesn’t consider the Gunners’ advantage to be insurmountable, the Tottenham manager insisted his primary aim is securing a top-four spot this term.
“The title is not for Tottenham, so we’re pretty comfortable,” Villas-Boas told his pre-match media conference.
“We’ve have a minimum objective of Champions League qualification and we are one point from fourth place.”
He continued: “There are teams that are more experienced than us coming back strongly; Manchester City and Manchester United.
“The champions made a change to their fortunes and are looking strong now and I expect Chelsea to come back into the frame and improve their results as well.
“At the moment, we’re not distracted by that conversation.”
Tottenham have already accumulated three more points than Villas-Boas managed during his first season in charge at White Hart Lane.
And despite disappointing results against Newcastle and West Ham United at home, Villas-Boas insists he is very happy with Tottenham’s start.
“I’m extremely happy, bearing in mind the amount of wins we already have compared to draws or defeats,” added Villas-Boas.
“The only situation that we have different is incredibly, there are eight teams very near each other.
“Although we had more points last season, we never dropped that low in the league table because we had some distant of comfort from the chasing pack.
“This season is a bit different. From fourth or third, you can be seventh or eighth if the result didn’t go well.
“We’re five points from first place which is nothing in the Premier League – and three points from second.”