Heurelho Gomes targets Cha for Tottenham

Last updated : 14 March 2011 By Daily Mail

From winning their first FA Cup in 1901, via the Double in 1961, Spurs have won eight major trophies in their lucky year - and Gomes hopes Spurs can keep the legend alive by marching on in the Champions League.

The north London club go into Friday's Champions League quarter-final draw having knocked out AC Milan and Werder Bremen, surpassed neighbours Arsenal, and toppled holders Inter Milan in the group stage.

Great expectations: Heurelho Gomes hopes Tottenham can deliver success in the year ending in one - 2011

Brazil goalkeeper Gomes is determined that the club should at least match the achievement of the last Spurs side did in Europe's premier competition: reaching the European Cup semi-final in 1962.?

'The fans always recount the story that Tottenham have luck when the year ends in one,' said the 30-year-old.

Up four it: Gomes wants Spurs to finish fourth again in the league

'The players try not to think about, but it really is an achievement for the club after so long outside the Champions League.'

Gomes is not a Champions League novice, having experienced the tournament with previous club PSV Eindhoven, and he has been surprised at how quickly his team-mates took to the competition after the initial shock of going 3-0 down in the play-off round first leg at Switzerland's Young Boys.

'Before our first game in the Champions League, the players asked me about the tournament,' he said. 'It was something new for Tottenham.?

'But I think the team has adapted quickly and was able to overcome the difficulties.?

'This was proved when we won our group ahead of Inter Milan - the champions.'

But Gomes does not want to be in a position where Spurs have to win the tournament to ensure more Champions League football next season.

With Barclays Premier League games to go, Harry Redknapp's team are fifth and three points behind Chelsea in the hunt for a top-four finish.?

Gomes believes his team-mates need to become more ruthless at seeing off weaker opponents determined to play defensively, and a run of games against West Ham, Wigan and Stoke could be more dangerous than later tests against Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.

'After having a taste of playing in the Champions League, we don't want to watch it from the outside next season,' he said.

'In the Premier League we are losing too many points against lesser teams.

Back on track: After being held to a draw by strugglers Wolves in their last league game, Gomes says Spurs must beat West Ham this weekend

'We have been at our best against big teams, maybe because they play football and let us play, give us more space.

'The problems have come against teams that defend with 11 players for 90 minutes.

'But if we are to finish among the top teams, we must learn to overcome that.'

?Palacios out for three weeks after Spurs midfielder undergoes knee op Get Bale! Barcelona line-up ?40m summer swoop for Tottenham starJermain man as Mancini targets Spurs ace Defoe to 'replace' TevezAll the latest Tottenham news, features and opinion

?Explore more:People: Harry Redknapp Places: Chelsea, Liverpool, Switzerland, Brazil, Europe

Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail