Tottenham centre-back Jan Vertonghen claims Tottenham know what they need to do to win the title next season.
This season, Tottenham waved an emotional farewell to White Hart Lane, winning 17 of their Premier League home games and avoiding defeat. This impressive home form has seen Spurs build on their 3rd place finish last season, however have only secured a runners-up position. Away from home, Spurs failed to win all their games against teams in the top six.
Comparing the 53 points picked up at home to the 33 points won away from home, exposes a reason why Spurs may have been unable to win the title this season. Jan Vertonghen has suggested that the team’s inability to repeat home performances on the road is an area the team is looking to build on. He told SkySports:
“Why we fell short is obviously a difficult question to answer. I think we had a run in October, November, where we didn’t win in a series of games, and that obviously hurt us at the end of the season.”
“We also didn’t win an away game against a top-six team all season, so you can always improve there, and I think we will. We will learn a lot from this year; obviously, we have this unbelievable home record, which we can count on, and we want to build an away record as well.”
In their last two games of the season, Spurs travelled to Leicester City and Hull City, winning both games convincingly by scoring 14 goals and conceding just 2. Vertonghen also insisted that injuries had their part to play in Spurs’ inconsistent away form. He added:
“I think this year we had a couple of injuries that weren’t very helpful for us, a couple injured for maybe four to eight weeks, Harry [Kane] and Toby Alderweireld in particular, but the guys who came in did very well.”
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“If this squad stays the same into next year I will be very happy.”
The Belgian international also revealed he feels as though Tottenham are taken very seriously by their Premier League rivals following their two successive title challenges and top 3 finishes. He said:
“Everyone is aware of us now. We showed that in almost every game this year. Before it was always: ‘Oh Tottenham, they will always drop off and lose points.’ I think teams are looking at us now, we finished second this year, third last year, we’re moving up, and hopefully, we can come top spot next year.”
“Maybe we have to realise that we shouldn’t be happy with top four and should aim higher. That is the belief that the gaffer puts into this group. We’ve got the players to do it.”
“If we can improve on the draws we will be very close next year.”
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