Carrick defends Davids

Tottenham star Michael Carrick says that new signing Edgar Davids has made a good impression at White Hart Lane, and defended the experienced midfielder against suggestions that he is over the hill.

In one of the most high profile signings of the summer period Spurs snapped up the Dutch international on a free transfer from Internazionale to add experience to a squad blessed with a depth of young talent.

Carrick has now described how the arrival of Davids has given the squad a huge boost, and rejected any notions that the 32-year-old has arrived at White Hart Lane with his powers waning.

"He's a tremendous player, his reputation comes before him and speaks for itself," Carrick told Sky Sports News.

"He's a world class player and has shown in training that he's such a good player.

"I think he's given everyone a boost, the place is buzzing again and everyone is a bit excited.

"I would say you can't say that now [that he is past it]," Carrick continued.

"Give him until Christmas or something, give us all till Christmas, it's a big season for us all but I'm sure is going to produce his best and I have no doubts about that at all.

"But to say that at this stage is maybe a bit unfair on him because he hasn't even kicked a ball for Tottenham.

"Give him a few games and I'm sure he will prove the critics wrong."

Carrick also insisted that despite his initial shock at Frank Arnesen's departure to Chelsea, the departure of the Danish sporting director had not affected the club to any large degree.

"I was shocked to be honest, I was on holiday at the time [when he left], I was disappointed because Frank was a big thing in bringing me to the club to start with, and he's done such a good job," Carrick continued.

"I haven't spoken to him [since he left], I don't know, you will have to look back at it in time and say maybe it did, maybe it didn't [affect the club's chances] but at the moment the structure is in place the gaffer is such a strong character, he's got his ways and he knows how he wants things to be run.

"Obviously the chairman's doing his job and bringing players in, so at the moment its working well and we haven't noticed a difference.

"It's a big job for someone to come in now because we are doing well, so its a good job for someone to come in and take but at the same time there is a lot of pressure because you have got to keep on improving and improving all the time."

After recovering from the shock of another departure early last term, that of manager Jacques Santini, Spurs recovered to finish a respectable eighth last season under Martin Jol.

However after a vigorous summer of transfer dealings Carrick believes the onus is now on the squad to reward their fans with a European finish.

"It's my biggest year without a doubt, I wouldn't say now or never but its pretty much the way I'm looking at it.

"In general, it's a big season for Tottenham, we've brought a lot of players in we are looking to get into Europe and I think if we don't get into Europe its going to be a disappointment this year and obviously its a World Cup year this year.

"Failure's maybe not it but I think we would be disappointed.

"The way we played last year we gave ourselves a good chance and we were disappointed last year not to be there.

"I think we are a better team this year, we have improved a lot, pre-season's gone well so we are looking definitely to get into Europe this year."