Published: 12 April, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

SPURS boss André Villas-Boas has fired a warning shot at rivals Arsenal saying: “Don’t write my team off”.

Tottenham threw away a 13-point lead last season over their neighbours to be pipped to third place and lose out on a Champions League spot – and this term they have seen a seven-point lead disappear since February.

On Sunday Tottenham were held to a 2-2 draw at home against Everton, giving Arsenal the advantage.

But Villas-Boas said after the game that the fight for a top-four finish is still very much on.

“It will go down to the wire,” he said afterwards.

“We are still in there. We have been here before, chasing the pack, and have responded well.”

By the time Spurs next lace up their boots for a Premiership match, Arsenal will have played three games – Norwich and Everton at home and then Fulham away – and could be seven points ahead.

But AVB wasn’t fazed by this fact as he shrugged off questions about nerves getting to his team. He said: “No. We are enjoying it.”

With a crop of first-choice players out, Villas-Boas added he was pleased with the response of those brought in.

“We have players out and that gives other players the opportunity to step up.

“ Against Everton we saw Lewis Holtby step up a level, Gylfi Sigurdsson is increasing his form, Emmanuel Adebayor has been impressive and is back to his goal-scoring ways, Tom Huddlestone and Tom Carroll both did well when they came into the game.

“I think this is a stimulus for everyone, it means we have players we can count on and that may be a decisive factor.”