Source: PA
Spurs need ruthless streak - Van der Vaart
Rafael van der Vaart has warned his Tottenham team-mates that they risk losing ground in their push for a top-four finish unless they start to improve their record against the league's weaker teams.
Spurs head into the festive period in fifth position on the back of an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions, which stretches back to the start of November.
The Londoners' outlook could have been much brighter had they not been defeated by the likes of West Ham and Wigan, both of whom sit inside the relegation zone.
Van der Vaart has been encouraged by Spurs' performances in the draws against big teams like Manchester City and Chelsea and the win over bitter rivals Arsenal, but insists the team must beat the division's poorer teams in order to ensure they qualify for next year's Champions League.
Looking ahead to Spurs' games against Aston Villa, Newcastle, Fulham and Everton over the festive period, the Dutchman said: "We have to win our games and have confidence that we will be in the top four.
"It will be hard work. There are a lot of good teams but we play well against the big teams and some of the small clubs we have our problems."
