Neville: Spurs still in title race

Former Manchester United man Gary Neville says Spurs can still challenge United and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.

Spurs were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by Wolves at White Hart Lane on Saturday to lose ground in the title race but the former defender turned TV pundit thinks they can rebound from the setback.

“The issue with Spurs is that you wonder how they will react once everyone starts talking about them as title contenders and the 1-1 draw with Wolves will add weight to the sceptics as to whether they can handle the pressure,” Neville wrote in The Mail on Sunday.

“I would put it down to one of those freak occurrences, the result of playing three times in a week, and similar to the defeats Manchester United suffered against Blackburn or Manchester City did at Sunderland.”

“You have to give them credit – I’m not sure anyone was quite expecting this in August when they lost their opening two games 3-0 to Manchester United and 5-1 to Manchester City, Luka Modric looked set to leave for Chelsea and they were struggling to bring signings in.”

“For those people who had started to see them as serious title contenders, one result shouldn’t stop them believing that they can do it.”

“Already, Roberto Mancini and Andre Villas-Boas have been talking up Tottenham’s title credentials. I reckon that’s a deliberate attempt to put pressure on them. People say mind games don’t matter – but they do.”

“My belief is that they will find it difficult – Manchester United have all the experience of being in this position. Manchester City don’t have that experience but they do seem to have a determination and mental resilience about them.”

“Spurs now have to answer the question as to whether they can perform when the pressure is on.”

“It’s up to the senior players at Tottenham to get hold of the dressing room and make sure they show that character – all the more so after yesterday’s result.”