Source : The Daily Mail
Steed Malbranque is determined to get Tottenham back into Europe to make up for his UEFA Cup own goal against Sevilla.
Spurs were already trailing to the Spanish side when Malbranque sliced into his own net from a corner, and they ended up losing the quarter-final 4-3 on aggregate.
Martin Jol's men have not lost since the clash with Sevilla and they know winning their last three games of the Barclays Premiership season will see them finish fifth and match their efforts of last season.
"It was a great experience for the club and the players to play European football, so that's why we need to win our remaining few games to book our place in it again next season," said Malbranque, the 27-year-old Frenchman.
Malbranque is still haunted by his early own goal against Sevilla during a crazy five-minute spell when Spurs saw their final hope of silverware dashed.
"The Sevilla game personally was very difficult for me because I made a big mistake which cost the team," said Malbranque.
"It was the first time that I have done something like that so it was difficult to deal with.
"I know I need to try to put it behind me but to be honest it's difficult to move on and forget about it because it was such a tough moment for me as it was so important for the club.
"Of course, I am still upset by it and it is still in my mind."
Despite disappointment in the latter stages of three cup competitions, Malbranque is pleased with his progress since arriving from Fulham at the start of the campaign.
He added: "I've enjoyed the season, I just had that very difficult moment against Sevilla but overall I am very happy with my first season here at Tottenham.
"I will be even happier if we are in the top seven and playing in Europe again next season."
Spurs' hectic final week of the campaign starts with a trip to Charlton on Monday, followed by clashes against Blackburn and Manchester City.
Boss Jol has admitted playing three games in a week could be a problem but he has Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Anthony Gardner returning from injury to bolster numbers.
Centre-back Michael Dawson believes the silver lining to their hectic end-of-season schedule is knowing exactly what is needed to qualify for Europe.
"By the time we play on Monday, we'll have a clearer picture because we'll have three games left whereas everyone else will just have the one," he said.
"Hopefully the other teams won't continue picking up points and we'll win our home games to finish in the top seven."
7 Replies
4284 Views