Tottenham 4-1 Monaco

AS TOTTENHAM get ready to host Newcastle on Sunday, the question on everyone lips is how far can this young Spurs side go?

With only one loss in the league so far, losing 1-0 on the opening day of the season to Manchester United, the north London club continue to make a case for being viewed as genuine title contenders.

It is an opinion that opposing manager Steve McClaren agrees with, although his argument that the Europa League could ruin any chance they have of lifting the trophy in May could well be true, after Tottenham qualified for next stage at the top of their group following Thursday night’s 4-1 demolition of Monaco.

Mauricio Pochettino played a strong squad in the European competition and will continue to do so when it resumes in the new year. While he respects McClaren’s opinion, he disagrees that it will be the reason his side will not be crowned champions in May.

Instead, his focus is on the upcoming match at White Hart Lane.

“I believe that we have a very strong squad and players,” he said. “We need to show respect for the opponent and this competition.

“After 14 games unbeaten, we need to stay at this level and keep winning every game. I think it is too early to start speaking about winning the title or achieving things at the end of the season.

“We don’t need to spend energy on things that are not important today. We need to keep our feet on the ground.”

While Pochettino may not be thinking about silverware just yet, the way his side picked apart Monaco was that of a team capable of challenging for trophies.

Erik Lamela’s hat-trick is a sure sign that the former Southampton boss has changed the mentality of this squad.

It may have taken the Argentinian a few years to settle into this Spurs side, but Lamela is finally showing the rest of the world why Tottenham paid £30 million for him.

It took the Argentinian winger 35 minutes to score his first senior hat-trick and put Spurs’ Europa League match against Monaco to bed.

Pochettino was pleased with the winger’s performance but kept his cards close to his chest as whether he will start ahead of Christian Eriksen tomorrow.

“I don’t know,” when asked if he has to start. “Maybe.”

It seems the continental side forgot that this was a game of importance and they failed to really turn up. Stephan El Shaarawy’s second-half goal gave them a brief chance of getting back into the match but Tom Carroll’s first senior goal for Spurs sealed the match for the home side.