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Emma de Duve

Jermain Defoe and Jamie Redknapp provide fresh Tottenham verdict amid Champions League hopes

Tottenham's Champions League hopes suffered a knock after Arsenal beat Man United, before Spurs' goalless draw against Brentford. However, Antonio Conte's side are still just two points behind their north London rivals with five games to go.

What was made even worse than dropping two points at the Brentford Community Stadium, was the poor performance from the Spurs side. The Lilywhites went another full game without a single shot on target, a dramatic change from the nine goals in two games they scored against Aston Villa and Newcastle not long ago.

This lack of shots on goal was something Conte commented on, during his post-match press conference. "I think that in the last two games we've struggled offensively because we've found two teams that are very good defensively," he admitted.

READ MORE: Antonio Conte's issue threatening to ruin Tottenham's Champions League dream for the second time

"Without the ball these two teams defended very deep, with the whole team, with all their players. When you find this type of situation you need to create the space, also to have players to beat their man in one vs one, to create the superiority."

These issues need to be quickly turned around as the end of the season approaches, especially with some of the tough fixtures Spurs have to come. However, Arsenal also have some difficult fixtures and although they have beaten Chelsea and Man United in their most recent two matches, there is nothing to say Mikel Arteta's side won't drop points when it's least expected.

After Saturday's draw, Jamie Redknapp spoke on Conte and what a place in the top four could do for him and Tottenham next season and in the upcoming transfer window. "I'll be amazed if he doesn't stay, whether they get in the Champions League or not," the 48-year-old admitted on Sky Sports.

"I think it'll be all a case of the acquisitions that come in in the summer, getting the right players in that he wants. Make sure they get top four, and not just get top four, he wants to challenge.

"He's a serial winner, he wants to win titles. He doesn't want to try to get a team into the Champions League. He wants to be winning the Champions League, vying for the title," Redknapp added.

There are just a few games left of the season and amongst those fixtures is the rescheduled North London Derby. "Why it's so big for Tottenham and Arsenal and whether they get fourth, it's just a totally different proposition for players to come to play in the Champions League so if it's Arsenal, that can be the next step they can take," the former Spurs player explained.

"It'll be huge for Mikel Arteta, his credibility, to beat an Antonio Conte in this situation because there's not a great deal to choose between the two squads. Arsenal look dangerous at times...Tottenham at the moment are having a bit of a wobble.

"It could go either way this one and that's why it's going to be so interesting to watch. That North London derby is going to be one of the biggest in years."

The prospect of the North London Derby being such a crucial three points and a massive fixture in how the top four pans out is something that Jermain Defoe also agrees with. Despite their last two results, the former striker still has faith that it'll be his former club that finishes inside the top four.

"I still feel like more can happen. There's going to be twists and turns and a lot can happen," Defoe admitted.

"Obviously, North London Derby, it's a massive game. I still feel with this manager and someone like a Harry Kane and Son [Heung-min] and how they've played this season, forget the last two games, get these players back to their best and I still believe Tottenham will finish in that top four."

There is still a lot of football to play and as the season has already shown, a lot can change after each game week. All Spurs can do is focus on their own fixtures, improve on their recent two performances to get as many points as possible and hope the likes of Arsenal drop points where they need them to.

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