O'Hara sets sights on Europe

O'Hara: Full of confidence

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Jamie O'Hara has told skysports.com he believes Tottenham can end the season on a high and snatch a European berth.

The White Hart Lane outfit endured a dismal start to the 2008/09 campaign, with Spanish coach Juande Ramos paying the price for their early failings.

Harry Redknapp was brought in to steady the ship and since then Spurs have become upwardly mobile, finishing as runners-up to Manchester United in the Carling Cup and pushing for a top-half finish in the Premier League.

With six games of the season to go they remain within touching distance of the top seven, which would be good enough to secure a passage into the Europa League, and O'Hara sees no reason why continental football cannot be secured.

Speaking at the launch of EA SPORTS Football Academy, the England U21 international told skysports.com: "I think the boys are all playing well and there is confidence flowing through the team.

"I think now we have to be looking at seventh place. If we can keep on doing what we are doing, I think we can get there.

"The boss is trying to build a squad that will be challenging for the Champions League spots next season, that's what everyone wants at the club, so to be able to get into Europe again is another stepping stone towards next season.

"It's just about building a good squad, staying away from injuries and picking up the results where you should be picking them up."

Competition

O'Hara has found himself on the fringes of Redknapp's first-team plans of late, but the young midfielder is hoping to play an integral role in what appears to be an exciting future for the club.

"It's part of football that there is going to be competition at places like Tottenham but I'm just going to see what happens in the summer and hopefully be involved next season and get myself in the team," he said.

"Everyone wants to play and I don't want to be sitting on the bench, no footballer wants to sit on the bench, so I just have to keep working hard in training and try to impress the manager.

"I have had to wait before and sometimes in football you have to be patient and wait for your chance.

"Obviously there comes a stage in your career where you want to be playing regular football and that's something I have to sit down and look at.

"But I think I've had another good season, I've played a fair amount of games and obviously I now want to be playing week in, week out in the Premier League."

Build and prove your football knowledge with EA SPORTS Football Academy out now on the Nintendo DS. For more information visit http://www.footballacademy.ea.com/