Source: Team_Talk
Spurs will impress in Europe - Jenas
Jermaine Jenas has warned that Tottenham will be a force to be reckoned with in Europe this season.[LNB] Spurs began their first Champions League campaign by racing into a 2-0 lead after a highly-impressive opening quarter of their Group A match with German side Werder Bremen two weeks ago.[LNB]Harry Redknapp's side were then pegged back by two Bremen goals to prevent them topping the group after the first round of matches.[LNB]Spurs, who face Dutch champions FC Twente on Wednesday, are second favourites behind last year's champions Inter Milan to advance to the second round.[LNB]Jenas, who impressed in Germany after being given a surprise start, believes Spurs' performance will have alerted other clubs to the team's potential in Europe this year.[LNB]"For a lot of the lads it was their first Champions League game so it was all good experience but we're not in it just to make up the numbers," Jenas said.[LNB]"We want to compete and that's one thing we showed at Werder Bremen.[LNB]"The way we played in the first half was the best I've seen us play since I came to Spurs.[LNB]"We were fantastic in that first period. To go to a place like Bremen and play so well that they didn't have any answers to us speaks volumes."[LNB]The lack of Champions League experience within the Spurs squad had raised doubts as to whether the team could deal with the pressure of playing in Europe's elite club competition.[LNB]Jenas insists the squad has the character to progress, though, pointing to Spurs' resilience after Bremen pulled level in Germany as evidence.[LNB]"We were so on top, dominated possession and could have scored one or two more, it was a top performance," the former Nottingham Forest man said.[LNB]"Obviously the goal they scored at the end of the half gave them hope and put them on the front foot for the second half, then they scored straight away after the break.[LNB]"We could have crumbled and lost that game but we didn't, we stayed strong and I think if you look at the game as a whole you have to take it as a good point. It's a solid platform to build on."[LNB]The arrival of World Cup finalist Rafael van der Vaart has piled more pressure on Jenas to claim a place in Redknapp's midfield.[LNB]Luka Modric, Tom Huddlestone, Niko Kranjcar, Wilson Palacios and Sandro are the other stellar names with whom Jenas is vying for a place in the middle of the park this year.[LNB]The 27-year-old was rewarded for his performance in Germany by being given a start against Wolves and started Saturday afternoon's Premier League match at West Ham.[LNB]Redknapp admires Jenas for his determination to fight for his place in his starting XI.[LNB]"Jenas has come into the side and been outstanding," the Spurs boss added.[LNB]"He had a great performance against Stoke and went to Germany and did everything there. His passing was great, and his general play was top class, so it is a big chance to establish himself now."[LNB]Spurs will be boosted by the knowledge that FC Twente have never won a match on English soil, the most recent attempt being in the group stages of the 2008 UEFA Cup when they lost 3-2 to Manchester City.[LNB]However, Tottenham will be aware that Michel Preud'homme's side earned a creditable home draw against Inter two weeks ago thanks to goals from Marc Janko and Nacer Chadli.
