The London team had three consecutive victories on Sunday and the coach said his players are beginning to better understand his style.
Jose Mourinho praised Tottenham’s progress after recovering from a “difficult” start to his tenure and believes his team is ready to advance next season.
A couple of Harry Kane punches in the first half after James Justin’s goal prevented Leicester City 3-0 on Sunday and posted three straight Premier League victories for the Spurs when they moved up to sixth place.
Mourinho inherited a team that was ranked 14th and had won only three of its first 12 matches, but the North London club is now on track to qualify for the Europa League.
And Mourinho has praised the character of his players to go through a difficult spell before the blockade that saw them leave the FA Cup and the Champions League in quick succession.
“The team is being a team. Even against Sheffield United we were a team, a bad team, but we were a team,” he said at his post-game press conference.
“I think the team is understanding better the game principles and what we want to do. I think it is a good step.”
“As I said, coming mid-season is always a difficult situation that I couldn’t imagine being so difficult after so many injuries.”
“But it is a situation that helps you organize the next season.”
“I think there are some important steps that we have already taken and the next preseason when we start we are one step ahead.”
The Spurs will secure a European place if they finish above Wolves and Sheffield United, who are two and four points apart respectively and each have a game in hand.
Seventh place may also be enough if Chelsea beats Arsenal in the FA Cup final, meanwhile, and Mourinho looks to finish the season on top.
“I think we are one of the teams with the most points after the break, and I think it is a very, very good feeling,” he said. Sky Sports.
“Now we have to fight to finish sixth, but it is not only up to us. We have to win and that is difficult to do at Crystal Palace, but we have to expect something from others.”
“If not, seventh, because that is what we can achieve depending on others.
“We will continue to depend on the FA Cup, but whether or not to reach the Europa League, the feeling of what we are doing, what we are improving, is very important for next season.”
Article continues below
Tottenham’s victory over a depleted Leicester team came despite having only 29.5 percent possession, their lowest participation in a league game since September 2012.
“I think it was a smart performance,” said Mourinho. “I knew that playing with these five is not a very comfortable situation.”
“It was about being compact and controlling the game, so I am very happy because it is a great pressure for us.”
.
