David Ginola: Lack of experience could harm Tottenham's title bid

David Ginola believes Tottenham are capable of winning the Premier League title this season but says a lack of experience may be their undoing.

Spurs, who face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, are two points behind league leaders Leicester City with 12 games of the season remaining.

Ginola played for Spurs for three years between 1997 and 2000, but says his previous club Newcastle's failed title challenge is a cautionary tale for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Newcastle were 12 points clear at the top of the table in January 1996, but threw away their advantage to finish behind title rivals Manchester United, and Ginola admits inexperience cost his team down the stretch.

"The only little issue for Spurs could be a lack of experience, and that was the same problem we had in Newcastle in 1995/96," said Ginola on Soccer AM.

"We were 12 points clear of United and we lost the title because of a lack of experience. Most of our players had not been in that situation - to be able to win the league.

"So when we lost at Liverpool it was the starting point of a reversal process, and we started to think we could lose games. If you have experience you can manage that and cool the dressing room down. That could be the only issue."

Tottenham, who are still in the FA Cup and Europa League, are in contention to win their first league title since 1961, and Ginola believes they have put themselves in a strong position. 

"They have the capability to do amazing things this season," he added. "They trust Pochettino is the man for the situation, and the young players in the team are very talented and seem to have experience of the game even at a young age. The whole package seems to be right.

"The fans have been waiting for them to do well in the league for a long time, and it is probably the time to be very consistent.

"In the past they had problems getting points when needed, and now in the away games they're winning 1-0, getting late goals and you can see things are going in the right direction.

"I've been watching them all season but Leicester are doing fantastically well too and it is very exciting. We have had a re-definition of who is in charge of the Premier League right now. Before we had a fantastic four, and it was always the same four teams fighting for the title.

"This year is a brand new thing because for the first time we have a team at the top of the league that was a surprise a month ago, but we can't say it's a surprise anymore.

"When Leicester were top in November and December, the question was 'can they stay there?'. But now you have to say they can win the league, and it's the same thing for Spurs.

"They are in contention to win the title. You see Arsenal and Man City fighting to get back on track, and it's like we're playing under completely different rules."