Postecoglou plays up Tottenham's title prospects ahead of United clash

LONDON : In the space of a few months Ange Postecoglou has transformed the mood at Tottenham Hotspur and the Australian is not about to start limiting expectations, insisting his swashbuckling side should be considered Premier League title contenders.

Victory at Manchester United on Sunday would take Tottenham into the top four, possibly as high as third, and only three points behind halfway leaders Liverpool.

With Germany striker Timo Werner joining on loan this week and Romanian defender Radu Dragusin on a six-year deal and the likes of Cristian Romero, James Maddison and Manor Solomon nearing returns from injury, Postecoglou believes Tottenham can enjoy a better second half of the season than the first.

Asked on Friday whether that means they are in the title mix, the former Celtic boss said why not?

"If I say 'no' you'd turn round to me and say 'come on Ange'. By definition, we are aren't we? So, yes we are and I've said all along that until the point where you're not, why discount the possibility?" he told reporters.

"We've gone through a really tough period and we're hanging in there. We had four games when results went against us, but we've clawed our way back. We're still in there.

"Our performances have been pretty consistent. With the conditions we've overcome, with the conditions we've made, we certainly we feel we can finish the season stronger.

"We've got a platform here to kick on."

Whether Tottenham can go to the next level will largely depend on Postecoglou drastically improving results against the so-called big six, in particular away from home.

In a combined 125 Premier League games away at United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, Tottenham have managed nine wins. And while their record at Manchester City is