The last time Spurs were in the UEFA Cup in 1999, current Spurs captain Ledley King was among the unused substitutes in both legs of the first round tie against Moldovan outfit Zimbru Chisinau before German opposition prevented further progress.
"We did qualify for Europe once while I've been here and I was on the bench away to Kaiserslautern," said King.
Defeats against Grimsby Town in the Carling Cup and Leicester City in the FA Cup, both at the first hurdle were the major disappointing moments of last season.
"Some players needed the rest while others said we didn't play enough last season and that was why sometimes the performances were a little bit patchy even though the atmosphere at home was great throughout," he added, having missed the last four games of the season after fracturing a metatarsal, an injury that cost King a place at the World Cup with England over the summer.
On the subject of his progress, Martin Jol said: “We haven't taken a risk with him in the matches during the training sessions but he's done all the running work and ball work."