After a series of results that went in their favour over the Christmas and New Year period, Spurs are now just 6 points behind league leaders Manchester City with a game in hand. Harry Redknapp will be doing all he can to play down the suggestion that Spurs could actually win the league as there are a lot of games yet to be played, but the reality is Spurs may wait a long time for another chance like this.

Alex Ferguson recently said that Spurs were playing the best football in the division, a sideways snipe at Manchester City perhaps, but few would disagree with the Manchester United boss. Harry Redknapp has assembled a team of players that has a good balance and a real sense of togetherness, two statements that cannot be levelled at the sides currently above Spurs in the league.

Many will expect Spurs title challenge to fade away in the coming months, but Spurs have an ace up their sleeve. Their early exit from the Europa League could prove to be decisive over the coming months. Whilst many expect both sides of Manchester to use the much maligned competition to give experience to their fringe players, the competition will still take its toll upon them as they travel all over Europe to play in matches they never wanted to appear in.

Manchester take note, Tottenham are in it for the long haul this season.