Andros Townsend claims Tottenham can win the Premier League title this season after the departure of Gareth Bale forced them to become “more of a team”.
Tottenham are fourth in the table, level on points with second-placed Chelsea and third-placed Liverpool, as they prepare for Sunday’s home match against Newcastle.
Bale’s 26 goals last season earned him a world-record £86million move to Real Madrid and although Spurs have scored just nine goals in 10 league games in his absence, Townsend believes the players who have replaced the Welshman gives head coach Andre Villas-Boas greater strength in depth.
“Last season Gareth Bale was the star; this season we have a team of stars,” Townsend told Standard Sport.
“We made seven top signings in the summer and we’re more well-rounded. We can play two sides – one in the league and then make eight or nine changes for a cup game.
“Is it realistic to aim for the title? I can’t see why not. We’re in touching distance of the top and we’re still fighting for that top space. Four of the top six changed manager in the summer but we’ve kept continuity and that gives us a massive chance this year.
“Last season, we looked to Gareth a lot, but this year we’ve got great depth in our squad. The squad will come into it more between January and March and hopefully that depth will give us the upper hand.”
Spurs have not won the title since 1961 but Townsend insisted: “We’re making ourselves hard to beat and the main thing this year is that we’re a team.
“We’ve just got to have the belief to stay up there. We’ve made a good start and now it’s up to us to continue that and not let the expectation get to us. Arsenal are in fantastic form but I’m sure the Manchester clubs and Chelsea will hit a purple patch, and it’s up to us to stay with them.”
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