Villas-Boas seeks end to slump

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has urged his side to fight for their place in the top four after a torrid run of results.

Defeat at home to Fulham on Sunday marked back-to-back league defeats for Spurs, who scraped through to the Europa League quarter-finals on away goals despite a 4-1 humbling against Inter on Thursday.

The slump has seen Arsenal close to within four points of their north London rivals in the race for the final Champions League spot, the Gunners also holding a game in hand.

Villas-Boas has stressed that his players must remain focused on achieving a top-four place, especially given their late-season fadeouts in recent campaigns.

“We can’t hide from what has happened in the past but must make sure we avoid it again,” the Portuguese told The Sun.

“It’s been a difficult month. But if we can find our form again, our confidence, our wins, then we can stop that cycle. We just have to carry on fighting and work hard.

“I’m confident we can do it. It’s not a factor in the psychology of the players and the most important thing is we’ve enough games left to stop it happening and get out of this situation.”

The Spurs boss did, however, take comfort from the last time his side suffered back-to-back defeats.

“After our last two Premier League defeats in a row we went on a great run. I hope we can do the same again,” he said.