Harry Winks believes Tottenham have taken a step in the right direction following Monday's 1-0 win over Everton.
Following on from last Thursday's dire 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United, Jose Mourinho's side bounced back as a Michael Keane own goal sealed an important three points for the Lilywhites.
The team's desire was questioned after the defeat in South Yorkshire but that was evident to see in N17 as the team put themselves about over the 90 minutes, with Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris even having to be separated at half-time following an exchange of words.
So have the Tottenham players been too nice in the past?
"I wouldn't say we're too nice, no," said the England international. "We've been on the receiving end of each other's critiques before after some defeats or games when we haven't been right. We've told each other.
"After the game against Sheffield, it wasn't a pretty game, it wasn't a good game to be involved in and we had some words to say to each other.
"The most important thing we can do is show it on the pitch. We can say stuff in the changing rooms and in team meetings but we have to show it on the pitch and I think today was a step in the right direction."
Reaching the Champions League final last June and qualifying for Europe's top competition in each of the last four seasons, Spurs have endured a miserable campaign under both Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.
The players' mentality has also been in the headlines many times this term but the midfielder believes they have a strong mentality.
"I think so yeah. Especially when the manager's come in, we've got some positive performances and results," added Winks.
"Our problem has really been consistency and that's something we have to work on going forward.
"If we want to challenge for the Premier League or be around the top four, it's important we have consistency.
"That's really been our problem this season."
