Carlo Cudicini believes the Premier League is scared of in-form Tottenham.
Harry Redknapp's side have not lost a league match since August and head to Craven Cottage on Sunday looking to break into the top four. Spurs are level on points with Chelsea and three behind Newcastle but crucially have a game in hand on both.
And after impressive wins in recent weeks against Liverpool, Arsenal, Blackburn and QPR, the 38-year-old goalkeeper thinks other teams are running scared.
'It's nice to be in a team where everyone is a bit scared of us at the moment,' said the Italian after heput in a terrific performance to save the team a heavy defeat against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League.
'The team is a very good team. We've got a mix of experience with young talent coming up. And I think that although I don't want to talk too soon, the team is not making the same kinds of mistakes that it has made in the past. So that in a way shows you the experience it is getting.? I think the year in the Champions League was very useful. So who knows?'
Cudicini knows all about success fromhis Chelsea days but says Spurs must be wary not to focus on those around them as the race for the top four hots up, especially ignoring any chance of catching Andre-Villas Boas' team.
'I believe personally that we need tolook at ourselves. If we do that then I'm sure we might have a chance in the end to be there fighting again for the top four. If we start looking around and thinking maybe this team will drop points or that team will drop points, then I don't think it will be a good thing to do.We have to look only at what we are doing. Not what other teams are doing.'
Main man: Brad Friedel (left) has established himself as Spurs' No 1
Cudicini was barely involved for Tottenham last season after a horrendous motorbike accident which almostcost him his career. But he recovered against the odds and was offered aone-year deal by Redknapp to fight it out for the No 1 jersey with fellow veterans Brad Friedel (40)and Heurelho Gomes (30). Not that he thinks his superb display in the 1-0 defeat in Russia will affect his chances of ousting Friedel on Sunday.
'The situation is strange because we have three very good goalkeepers,' said Cudicini, who has been rotated in Europe with Gomes. 'I count myself in there and at the moment we are all getting the chance to play. Of course Brad plays in the Premier League but, to be fair, you just have to be ready when its your turn.
'So that's what I have tried to do until now. I've tried to do that until this match and at the moment that's the situation.'
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail