Tottenham boss Martin Jol admits his side appear “there for the taking” against Fulham on Sunday – but is using the role of underdog in his plot for silverware this season.
The Dutchman had his players in for a double training session on Wednesday as he looks to lift Spurs out of a slump that has seen three consecutive defeats.
They could reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with victory at Craven Cottage but have not won there for nearly five years, and their away form this season has seen them slip into the bottom half of the Barclays Premiership.
Jol said: “Fulham might feel we are there for the taking at the moment.
“We will use that as a motivation and we have prove to people that we can be solid, physical and professional in what we do.”
In Spurs’ favour is an impressive cup record this season, with the only defeat coming after extra-time in the Carling Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
They are also in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup after Feyenoord were kicked out of the tournament following crowd trouble earlier in the season, and receiving a bye has given Jol more time to work with his players this week.
“We haven’t suffered a defeat in 14 cup matches over 90 minutes and that is good,” added Jol. “We will go to Craven Cottage full of confidence, knowing we will have a big fight on our hands, but determined to progress to the quarter-final.”
Spurs poor run of form – they have not won in the league since Boxing Day – has coincided with skipper Ledley King being sidelined with a troublesome foot injury.
Robbie Keane has been the stand-in captain and is confident a win is on the horizon.
“I have been through times like this before when you just can’t get that win, but we know it will not last with the players we have,” he said. “We’ve got too many good players to just sit back and accept it.
“We’ve got winners in our squad and we know a win is just around the corner and once we get that we will be back on song again.”
He added: “It is about sticking together, working hard for each other and bouncing back. I’ve got no doubt in my mind that we will be back.”