Christian Eriksen says Tottenham are determined to end their nine-year silverware drought

If there has been a feeling - and a criticism - that Tottenham Hotspur are taking the knock-out competitions a little lighter than they should be given that this specific squad and manager have not yet won any silverware whatsoever, it should be banished.

Christian Eriksen says Spurs are well aware that the FA Cup is their best route to a trophy this season, and seems to be conscious of the fact that discussion is growing that they need to offer something tangible to complement and maybe fire their obvious improvement. There seems to be a desire in this squad now to end a nine-year drought.

There is also an opportunity, given that it is Sunday’s home match with League One Millwall that bars their way to a semi-final that will see one of Chelsea or Manchester United knocked out.

“Everyone would be happy if we win anything,” Eriksen says. “If it is in the FA Cup or the Premier League, we want to take that chance. It would be very special for this group to do that. Everybody has the feeling we want to win something.

“We have shown everyone we are capable of beating the best and being part of the best group. Of course winning something would be very special to everyone. We know this is a true route to a trophy.”

open image in gallery

While Tottenham have been supreme in defying early-season struggles and the financial power of their rivals to rise to second in the league behind Chelsea, some doubts remain because of a perceived failure of this side to take that next step when really required.

The ongoing trophy drought is one aspect, but so is the way they ended last season. Just when they seemed to be properly pushing Leicester City, they suffered two calamitous draws to West Brom and Chelsea, in games where they’d taken the lead.

“I think we have matured a bit,” Eriksen says. “We want to avoid what happened last season in the last three games. We know that we can finish better than we did. We were there last season and we know how it feels. We need to show we are capable of staying there.

“We know how we need to play now. We have played together for a few years now and everyone knows what we have to do. We are more mature now.”

open image in gallery

He also feels they have more assurance through the team, and are more cohesive and connected. The signing of Victor Wanyama has also specifically freed Eriksen, the 25-year-old believes, and allowed him to become the top assist-provider in the Premier League with 10.

“Victor has given us a bit of stability in that midfield role. It is not easy to get past him. As a player, it makes me free to do my thing and go forward and I know there is someone there to cover me if I lose the ball.

"I think the team has a pretty good balance. When we don't have the ball we know where we need to be and we need to help each other out. And we have been doing that very well I think. If somebody is in trouble, you help them. Whether it is left, right back or centre midfield, Everyone is giving their best."

No player has made more assists in the Premier League this season than Eriksen and the midfielder has also contributed five goals to the cause. However he insists the focus should not be on him, but the team as a whole.

"That is always something to be proud of when you see something like that," Eriksen says when asked if he has looked at the leading assists table. "But the season is not over yet. I am always trying to create chances and hopefully they are taken.

“When the team is doing well, you go with the flow. You get confidence and you just build on that. I just trying to be the one to create something and make something happen. And now I know how the Premier League works and how the teams play. There is nothing to surprise me. It gives me a positive way of feeling before the game.”