Football: Villas-Boas defiant after Spurs slump again

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted responsibility for his side’s 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool on Sunday, Dec 15, 2013, but said he did not need to convince his employers of his ability.-- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS
Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted responsibility for his side’s 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool on Sunday, Dec 15, 2013, but said he did not need to convince his employers of his ability.-- FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

LONDON (AFP) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas admitted responsibility for his side's 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool on Sunday, Dec 15, 2013, but said he did not need to convince his employers of his ability.

It was Spurs' heaviest home defeat in 16 years and left them five points below the Champions League positions in seventh place in the Premier League.

Villas-Boas has already seen his side beaten 3-0 at home by West Ham United and humiliated 6-0 at Manchester City this season, but he said he was not concerned about his position at White Hart Lane.

"I assume the responsibility of the failure," he told Sky Sports.

"We have to bounce back again like we did (after the defeat) against City.

In the Premier League things are not going as we expected and we wanted, so it's normal that frustration is there for everyone.

"Regarding my position, it's not me that decides. I can only work to make things better." Spurs had improved after losing at City, winning twice and drawing with Manchester United, and Villas-Boas also pointed to their cup form as evidence of their quality.

Spurs face West Ham in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday and have also qualified for the last 32 in the Europa League.

Asked if he could convince the club's board, players and supporters of his ability to turn the situation around in the Premier League, he laughed and said: "I don't need to convince anybody.

"Our run is magnificent in the other competitions but not in the Premier League. That is the reality that we face because our slip-ups at home haven't allowed us to be in a better position.

"We are to play a quarter-final with West Ham for the League Cup and we are in the last 32 and waiting for a draw tomorrow (Monday) in the Europa League, where some big, big teams are as well.

"Our form in the Premier League is not there but our ambition to win trophies is still the same and our ambition to qualify for the Champions League is still the same."

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