Spurs must stay strong as big guns get ready to fire

If there was one thing that the weekend showed above all else it was that the big guns are ready to fire.

The title may just be out of range but Arsenal and Manchester City clearly mean business, they are moving into position and getting ready to strike.

While we scrapped to a good point at Anfield and Leicester ground out yet another 1-0, both teams below us surged to 4-0 wins to send out a statement.

Before the weekend our superior goal difference looked like it was worth an extra point but if the chasing duo rattle off another few results like at the weekend then our 10-goal cushion could well be in jeopardy.

The manner of our 1-1 draw at Liverpool was actually very encouraging. Again we fought back, we defended well and, most striking, we were not happy with a point.

It was another stonking finish from Harry Kane - that's 22 this season now - although it did look like the jitters set in a bit at the start of the second half. 

Misplaced passes and possession surrendered easily. But then that's why Mauricio has built from the back and thankfully we have a strong, organised defence to resist the storm on days like Sunday.

But like it or lump it we are now under massive pressure from our North London neighbours. 

Arsenal are effectively one point behind if they win their game in hand - so we could really do with them dropping points at West Ham on Saturday.

I'm not a big fan of hoping other teams lose but I suppose sometimes you just need a favour - especially when you are playing Manchester United the following day. 

History dictates that Arsene Wenger’s lucky bastards will probably finish above us now - given their straightforward run-in compared to ours. West Ham away is as difficult as it gets, while we still have to go to Chelsea, Stoke and host United.

Sadly, that is bound to lead to a lorryload of negativity about how we would have thrown away another lead over the Gunners - when in reality we have never really been more than three points ahead, when you take games in hand into account.

Personally, I think finishing third would be a great season and a huge step forward. But even then there is a long way to go, with City's afterburners now blazing.

Still, if Spurs want to push on and Daniel Levy thinks we’re ready to become regulars at Europe’s top table, then now is the time to prove we deserve an invite - because this run-in will definitely sort the men from the boys.