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Since Tottenham put consecutive defeats against the Manchester clubs behind them at the start of the season, Harry Redknapp has had the club flying. 10 wins out of 11 games had lifted the side up to third place in the Premier League before Sunday’s Chris Foy-inspired hiccup at the Britannia Stadium, and an attacking brand of football has resulted in plaudits nationwide. With the side flying, many, including Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy, have admitted that winning the Premier League title is a target for the club this term – however this my be a tad optimistic.

“”I hope we have a great season and that we can finish in the top four or, who knows, maybe even higher. We want first,” Levy told the London Evening Standard today.

As a lifelong Spurs fan, I have seen the club performing well, winning cup tournaments and at times battling relegation. I would absolutely love to see us win the Premier League this season, it would make my, and many of the White Hart Lane faithful’s dreams come true.

Despite this, a dose of realism is needed. Although Spurs are playing excellently and on their day have the beating of anyone in the division, it takes a massive amount of consistency, hard work and luck to top the English top flight. With this season as tightly contested at the top as in the recent memory, the top four has become the top six and the calibre of the club game has been lifted by increased competition for honours.

Harry Redknapp has done a wonderful job in his time at White Hart Lane; he has injected a life and soul into the team and delivered the most vaunted of accolades – Champions League football – to a team that has been used to missing out on the biggest stage. After Tottenham’s great run to the quarter finals of Europe’s top club tournament last term, everyone involved, players, coach, fans, all wanted more. In the end, title contenders tag or not, finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League must be the number 1 priority.

Although we have put a great run of form together of late, the 11 games unbeaten run only had one positive result over a fellow top six side – the 2-1 home win over Arsenal. With trips to the Etihad Stadium, Anfield, Emirates Stadium and Stamford Bridge still to come in the second half of the season, there will be times when our beloved Spurs are up against the ropes.

Manchester City’s owner Sheik Mansour has invested £1 billion since taking over at the current Premier League leaders. £1 billion. With Manchester United under the domineering guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson and having been there and done it so many times before, they will surely be there or thereabouts in the race for the title come May. It pains me to say this, but Spurs will not finish above these sides this season. This season.

This post is in no way meant to be negative. The current Spurs team is the best I can remember in my lifetime, and I have taken immense joy in watching them play, and win, this season. However, talk of competing for the title is too much, too soon – certainly maybe in seasons to come, but this year is too soon for Harry’s men.

Our number one goal should be to finish in the top four. If we finish fourth this season it must be looked at as a massively successful campaign, especially given the quality in the top six teams. All this talk of winning the title could mean that if we do finish fourth some fans may not be happy due to all the talk of the title, which would be a real travesty.

Let’s keep expectations in check; Spurs are playing well and have a great chance of finishing in the top four this season, which would be a fantastic achievement. Title talk is a bit overambitious, and it could ultimately take away from the team’s efforts should we finish third or fourth.

By Gareth McKnight

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