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Spurs belong in the top four, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho insists Tottenham belong in the top four as the club look to overcome a difficult start to the season and secure qualification for the Champions League.

Spurs currently sit seventh in the Premier League, though their form has improved in recent weeks following the decision to appoint Mourinho as the club’s new manager.

The Portuguese has won three of his four league fixtures since being announced as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor last month, and the 56-year-old is hopeful his side can continue their form as they bid to secure a top four finish.

“We know where we belong and of course we do not belong to the second part of the table where we were,” Mourinho told the media at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

“We do not even belong in position seven or eight where we are at this moment. We know where we belong and we believe that at the end of the season we are going to be there.

“But if we can accelerate the process and get results that put you there sooner rather than later in these positions, then obviously it is the best that can happen to us.”

The North London side travel to Wolverhampton on Sunday, with Spurs currently one point and one place behind this weekend’s opponents.

Mourinho is anticipating a difficult afternoon at Molyneux, though he expects his team to compete strongly against a Wolves side seeking European qualification for the second successive season.

“We need a little bit of time and we need to improve in many things and we are going to improve because we have the talent to improve, the desire to improve.

“In this moment we are going to play against a team that has the same coach for three years, has their ideas perfectly in a stable way.

“It will be a very difficult match for us, but also for them.”

Ahead of the clash, Mourinho was full of praise for compatriot Nuno Espirito Santo, with the Wolves boss receiving praise for his continued success at the Midlands side.

The 45-year-old has been linked with the vacancy at Arsenal, and Mourinho has described the former Porto manager as a “top coach”.

“He’s getting some praise for the work he is doing. In my opinion not enough. Fantastic work,” Mourinho said. “He is a much better manager than a player. I’m not saying he is a bad player, but he’s a much better manager.

“They’re one of the best teams from a tactical point of view. His players are perfect for the puzzle. I think he is a top coach. You can’t be in the Premier League without being a top coach.”

Tottenham Hotspur head into this weekend’s fixture with several injury problems, Ben Davies currently undergoing rehabilitation in Qatar and Erik Lamela sidelined with respective hamstring injuries.

Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris remains a long-term absentee with a dislocated elbow, whilst fellow goalkeeper Michel Vorm (calf) and midfielder Tanguy Ndombele (groin) are also amongst the club’s players currently sidelined through injury.

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