Dawson: Villas-Boas eyeing silverware

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas is aiming for a top-four finish in his first season in charge, according to defender Michael Dawson.

Spurs were denied a place in this season’s Champions League by Chelsea’s triumph in the competition last term.

Villas-Boas is aiming to go one better than the departed Harry Redknapp and cement the team’s place in the competition.

And Dawson says Tottenham and their new boss will set out with a point to prove this term.

“Since he has come in he has been enthusiastic and wants to do well,” Dawson told The Sun.

“There are always changes in football, from managers to players, it is never something you get used to but it is something you have to deal with.

“When Harry left, the new gaffer came in and everybody starts afresh. You have got to show him what you can do.

“To be back in the Champions League is where we want to be.”

The England international admitted finishing fourth in the English Premier League but still missing out on the Champions League was hard to take.

But Dawson is adamant the heartache will motivate the squad, not deter them, in their quest to return to Europe’s premier club competition after an impressive debut two seasons ago.

“To finish fourth and miss out on the Champions League left everyone devastated,” Dawson said.

“You work hard all season and maybe don’t deserve to miss out in the way we did, but that’s football.

“Every game you want to win. What he (Villas-Boas) has brought to the football club is that he wants to win trophies.

“You go into the start of the season and hope you can do that.

“We have got players in that dressing room who believe. We always want to improve. Andre certainly gets involved. He is enthusiastic – you see that from the way he is on the touchline. He came in and set high standards.”