Younes Kaboul believes Tottenham are starting to show the true grit required to win games that in previous seasons they would have lost.
Tottenham defender highlights importance of patience
Younes Kaboul believes Tottenham are starting to show the true grit required to win games that in previous seasons they would have lost.
The French defender played a vital role in Tuesday night's 1-0 victory against West Brom, where Jermain Defoe's clever strike helped close the gap on Manchester United to three points.
The victory was Spurs' sixth in seven Premier League matches at White Hart Lane, where goals have proved hard to come by of late.
The north Londoners have only managed to score once in each of their past three games, and Kaboul believes Spurs are reaping the benefits of improved defensive solidity.
"Last year we lost or drew these kind of games, which is why we finished fifth at the end of the season rather than fourth or third, so this season we don't want to make the same mistakes," Kaboul said.
Drop back
"I suppose we are a massive team in England now.
"We're playing against high-quality teams who can play football, but when they come here they just drop back, they just defend.
"We have to be patient and pass the ball properly and find solutions. I know it's very hard but that's the situation and the most important thing is to win.
"In these games you have to be patient and you have to score - that's it - and you cannot concede a goal, which is what happened to Manchester City at Sunderland.
"When you attack you have to defend well too, and that's what we did against West Brom.
"It's a good result for us, we just have to keep this run going. It wasn't the best game ever but you have to win those matches, take three points and look forward to the next one.
"That's the only way we will achieve something at the end of the season."
