Pavlyuchenko targets Europa triumph

24 May 2011 14:00

Roman Pavlyuchenko feels Tottenham can win the Europa League next year and insists that the club's season should be hailed as a success despite their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Competing in Europe's premier club competition this season took its toll on Spurs' Barclays Premier League campaign, where their poor form in the last few months left them to settle for fifth place despite being in the running for a top-four finish for most of the year.

But Pavlyuchenko told Sport Express: "Our club is quite able to win the Europa League next year. We have a very good team, and we could still have reinforcements."

He added: "As for the fifth place, we took a step back compared to last year, without getting into the Champions League, but it's still better than sixth.

"We lost too many points in the end but the whole season should not be called a failure.

"We should not forget that we played in Europe's premier club tournament, and reached the quarter-finals."

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has never hidden his dislike of the Europa League, constantly referring to it as a second-rate competition where teams are more likely to play their reserves.

Striker Jermain Defoe has also labelled the tournament a "distraction", but captain Michael Dawson thinks the squad should embrace the opportunity to add some European silverware to the White Hart Lane trophy cabinet.

"We wanted to be in the Champions League but it hasn't happened and when the Europa League starts we will be going out there to win it," Dawson said.

"It's another competition for the fans. The ground, whether it's the Champions League or the Europa League, will be sold out every week."

Source: PA