Mabbutt confident Conte can Spur his side to a top-four finish

Gary Mabbutt believes Tottenham can still finish in the top four — and Antonio Conte is the perfect man to get them there.

Returning to the Champions League was the aim when Spurs went unbeaten in their first nine games under the Italian, but a disastrous run of form since has cast doubt on those hopes. 

An inconsistent spell has left them six points behind North London rivals Arsenal, who currently occupy fourth in the Premier League ahead of Tottenham's clash with Everton tonight. 

Five defeats in eight games in all competitions has also seen them dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough, meaning their wait for a major trophy will enter its 15th year.

But former defender Mabbutt, who won the FA Cup and UEFA Cup with the Lilywhites, claims achieving Champions League qualification is still possible and points to Tottenham's 3-2 victory over Manchester City last month as a reason to be optimistic.

Speaking at the London Football Awards, he told LiveScore: "The top four still has to be our aim. We’re competing with West Ham and Arsenal, two London clubs, and of course Manchester United.

"But I feel other clubs have been throwing away points left, right and centre.

"Our performance at Manchester City was outstanding. 

"Everyone talks about how good Harry Kane and Sonny [Heung-Min Son] were on the day, but also as a team I thought we showed a lot."

Conte, 52, arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November with an excellent reputation after winning league titles in both England and Italy during spells with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter Milan.

But he has found things more difficult at Spurs, publicly voicing his frustration at his team’s precarious situation following a 1-0 defeat to relegation contenders Burnley last month.

Yet Mabbutt is in no doubt that Conte, who took over from Nuno Espirito Santo, is the right man to guide his old club to success.

He added: "Conte knows exactly what he needs to do. There’s still work to be done but I like Conte. I like his passion and enthusiasm for the game — sometimes madness on the touchline!

"I’ve always liked Conte. During his time at Chelsea, he was always a manager I had a lot of respect for. 

"At Inter Milan, he did an amazing job. I’ve always liked the way he gets his team going. He always gets the best out of his players and that will be the aim now at Spurs.

"I think he can instill that confidence into the players to give us a great chance of getting into the top four."

Spurs need consistency

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith, who spent eight successful years at Arsenal, is less convinced and insists consistency is the key if the 2018-19 Champions League finalists are to reclaim their seat at Europe’s top table.

Smith, 59, said: "One match they look like they’re heading in the right direction and next you’re looking at the floor if you’re a Spurs fan!

"It’s that consistency [they need]. It’s something they’ve always had in their team and Conte's getting more and more frustrated so it’s a turbulent time there.

"Maybe he thinks he’s bitten off more than he could chew but he should have had a good look at the squad when he first came in.

"He knew what he was going into so it would be wrong to say 'this is more than I thought it was going to be'. 

"But you can see the frustration because he’s always been a winner and maybe he sees his reputation being damaged and that’s what he’s fearful of the most."

What next for Kane?

Whether Spurs beat off their rivals for a top-four spot could have a knock-on effect on Kane's future at the club.

The 28-year-old star was denied the chance to join Manchester City last summer but has been in inspiring form for Tottenham of late — netting 18 goals in all competitions this term.

Reports indicate the striker is much happier since Conte took over. But his desire to remain in North London could be tested if Spurs are not playing Champions League football next season.

On the England captain's future, Mabbutt said: "There are always going to be talks about Kane. I love it when people ask me about him because it means the club are bringing players through. 

"I think he’s been showing in these last few weeks what a top player he is. A player of his quality, a number of teams in the world would want Kane in their side.

"We want to keep him at Spurs, we’ve done everything possible to keep him and hopefully he’ll stay with us."

On the possibility of another summer transfer saga involving Kane, Smith added: "You don’t know if Man City will be back in for him. Maybe they will after the performance at the Etihad the other day but there are other people in the fray. 

"Erling Haaland, where is he going to go? Because I’d say he will be on the move this summer. He’s someone City would look at. He’s younger, obviously.

"Kane is one of the best centre forwards I’ve seen performing in this country. He is just the complete striker and he showed that at City.

"The last thing Spurs want is a saga that’ll drag on."