Assou-Ekotto aiming high

Benoit Assou-Ekotto: Does not believe title is out of reach for Tottenham this season

Benoit Assou-Ekotto says finishing in the top four is the minimum target for Tottenham this season and beyond that 'anything is possible'.

Spurs were regarded as outsiders for UEFA Champions League qualification at the start of the campaign but have enjoyed a superb run to emerge as surprise title contenders.

They are currently third in the Premier League standings and have a five-point cushion over fourth-placed Chelsea, with a game still in hand on all their rivals.

Rather than worrying about how other sides are performing, Assou-Ekotto is focused on helping Tottenham pick up results and has indicated that he does not think the title is out of reach.

"Everyone had been saying that Manchester City were invincible but then they drew at West Brom which showed that no one is guaranteed a win in this division," he told the London Evening Standard.

"Our minimum target is to finish in the top four. After that, anything is possible.

"No one can predict what will happen over the next five months.

"We are no longer looking behind us at other teams' results.

"Instead, we are the ones getting the results and they are looking at us, hoping we slip up.

"You can see how much we have improved, even over the last 12 months.

"Just look at the table - we are in third place and we deserve to be there."

Winning mentality

Tottenham won their sixth game in seven home Premier League matches at White Hart Lane on Tuesday, defeating West Brom 1-0.

Jermain Defoe scored the all-important goal on his first league start for a month, having been sidelined through injury and the performances of the other attacking options.

Assou-Ekotto believes such squad depth has helped Spurs push on this season, highlighting the summer additions of Emmanuel Adebayor and Scott Parker.

"The quality of players we have in every position makes this easily the best squad I have played in and we have that winning mentality now, too," he said.

"Almost every player is an international and we have been lifted by the arrival of Scott and Ade.

"Scott is a natural leader. The first day he was with us, you could tell he was a very positive guy.

"He motivates the whole team and has been a great addition, while Ade has played for some of the world's best clubs and has great experience."