Harry Kane has urged his Tottenham teammates to keep touch with Liverpool and Manchester City for as long as possible if they want to challenge for the Premier League title.
Spurs finished fourth last season, 26 points adrift of the runaway top two, after losing 13 of their 38 league games.
Mauricio Pochettino's side imploded in the final month of the season, winning just one of their last five Premier League matches, to miss out on what had appeared a sure-fire third place finish.
Tottenham began the new season with a 3-1 victory over newly promoted Aston Villa - with Kane bagging a brace.
And the England hot shot has mapped out how Spurs can challenge for their first crown since 1961.
"We kept with them for a while last year but they blew ahead after January," Kane said.
"We have to make sure we get off to a good start. Liverpool set the standard on Friday night and City on Saturday afternoon, so it's important that we stay in touch as long as we can.
"We have full belief that we can go all the way but there's a long road ahead. That's why we buy players: to strengthen the squad and have more competition for places. That's what we've got.
"We've got a good, hungry squad. Everyone's fit and ready to go. The players that came on have to try to make an impact and they did. It's important for us if we're going to have a good season.
"Of course, it's just the start now but throughout the winter time when loads of games are popping up we need everyone to contribute as much as possible."
Spurs have been embroiled in a transfer saga with Christian Eriksen, who was wanted by Real Madrid this summer.
The Dane came off the bench against Villa to help his side come from behind, and Kane has explained how important the attacking midfielder is.
"Obviously I've been playing with Chris now for five or six years and we all know the qualities he has: the assists, the passes, the goals," he said.
"Whether he starts or is on the bench, the most important thing from all of our points of view is that he gives everything for the team.
"Obviously, there's been speculation about his future but as long as he's training hard and playing as hard as he can when he's here, that's all we can ask for. What will be will be but we're happy to have him.
"That's all the fans ask for as well: commitment. We're happy to have them. We'll see what happens but from our point of view we've got a strong squad and we'll use that throughout the season."
