A TROPHY ALL THAT’S MISSING FOR DAVIES
TOTTENHAM are building a magnificent stadium, while their impressive manager Mauricio Pochettino and superstar striker Harry Kane are drawing covetous glances from Real Madrid.
The Spurs project has everything a football club could want – except the silverware that fans, players and bosses crave so much.
It is the blunt reality behind the praise being showered on Kane and company. They all know a trophy or two can keep this developing team together. They also know the first prize is the toughest to win.
“One hundred per cent,” says full-back Ben Davies, who has become a regular this season. “It is all well and good that we are playing well and performing well, but as players you just want to win something. It’s what everyone wants who supports the club.
“Everyone is working towards that. It is the most difficult thing to do in football, especially with the quality of teams in the Premier League.
“We are playing well in the majority of games. It is about keeping that consistency. One trophy to start would be the best feeling, and if you get that feeling you get the confidence to kick on. It is all about aiming to win something now.”
Spurs play away at Southampton this afternoon but that is about ensuring a top-four finish rather than the title, with Manchester City so far ahead. Their realistic options are the FA Cup and the Champions League, in which they have already proved their worth with a victory over holders Real Madrid. Next weekend it is a classic FA Cup clash away to minnows Newport County. “I don’t think it will be an easy old trip down there,” says Welshman Davies. “They are going to be totally different to play against and you can’t take these games for granted.” The Champions League resumes against Juventus in the last 16 on February 13. “We really want to stay in the Champions League,” says Davies. “It’s exciting times for the club with the new stadium coming, and if we could have Champions League football with that it would be perfect.”
Tottenham’s excellence in the past few seasons is the result of having a settled young team developing together under the robust regime of Pochettino.
Davies recently signed a new contract and knows this spirit is crucial. “We’ve settled into a rhythm,” he says.
“We know how we’re going to train, what we’re getting each and every day, and more than anything people must be happy here.
“At the majority of other clubs there are people looking for interest elsewhere, and that doesn’t seem to be the case here. Most of the squad have signed new deals over the past couple of years, so people are committing their futures here.
“We all get on well and it’s a good place to be.
“We hope to keep the same squad together and keep playing well as a team.”
And the best way to do that, as everyone knows in their hearts at Tottenham, is to break through with that first trophy.