‘I was always very honest’ – Antonio Conte makes Spurs Champions League U-turn

Antonio Conte insists Tottenham are now firmly in the hunt for a Champions League place after previously hinting the feat would be difficult to achieve.

Spurs registered their third consecutive Premier League win on Sunday after securing a dominant a 5-1 victory over Newcastle.

The result takes Spurs into the top four ahead of rivals Arsenal, who are set to travel to Crystal Palace tomorrow night.

The victory will also provide a better outlook going forward for Conte, who suggested it would be ‘impossible’ for Tottenham qualify for the Champions League during their patchy run of form in February (Sky Sports).

But the Italian coach now believes his side are in with a chance of turning out in Europe’s elite competition next season having seen a marked improvement in performances in recent weeks.

He told Football.London: “But I was always very honest with the media and also with the club, but also with the players. In November when I arrived I found one type of situation and at that time it was difficult then to believe to be in the race now for the Champions League. Usually when you change manager during the season it is because there are difficulties and for sure I found a situation to improve. I was very clear with the media from the first moment I spoke to you.

“But now, I think in the last period I was clear that I have seen my team, it’s now in the race because I have seen great improvement. If the player brings himself to another level it means that the team is going to be stronger than before.

“For sure we know very well that in this race there are other teams that maybe in this moment they have an advantage. I think Arsenal have to play two games but don’t forget United with an amazing squad, don’t forget West Ham and also Wolverhampton is having a fantastic season and this league is very difficult.

“But I’m happy because hard work is paying off and this is very important for the players because the players I have found a group of players that have given me great availability, great commitment, great behaviour and they give me credit. They give me credit, for my past I think, for my career, but I think that now they understand that this is the right way. They trust in me and I trust in them.”

Tottenham will look to make it four wins on the bounce with a trip to Aston Villa next Saturday. The Villans have hit a rough spell under Steven Gerrard having fallen to three defeats in a row.

Spurs Web Opinion

The last few performances have put Spurs back in the hunt for a Champions League spot, but they need to make sure they keep it going.

It is vital that they keep putting points on the board as games are starting to run out, but they are in with a shout of making it compared to where they were a few months ago.

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