Danny Rose today urged Tottenham to finish games earlier so they do not have to keep relying on late winners from Christian Eriksen.
Eriksen has struck in the closing stages against Hull, Swansea, Leicester and Sunderland to seal 2-1 wins for Spurs in matches that were looking likely to end in draws.
The latest victory, over Sunderland, kept Tottenham within three points of a Champions League spot – but Rose wants Spurs to make life easier for themselves.
“I don’t know where we’d be this season without Christian’s late goals,” admitted the defender. “We don’t want to leave it that late in the future.”
As well as pursuing a top-four spot, Spurs are involved in three cup competitions, and face League One club Sheffield United in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Player Ratings: Tottenham v Sunderland
Spurs, who are also through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, will be strong favourites to progress to their first Wembley final for six years.
But Sheffield United have proved extremely adept against Premier League sides, overcoming five of them in cup competitions in the 12 months between January 2014 and January 2015.
Rose is wary of what will await Spurs in the second leg in South Yorkshire if they cannot establish a powerful position this week.
He added: “They have beaten Premier League opposition in both cup competitions this season, so it’s going to be a tough game. If we don’t put the game to bed at home it will be difficult in the return leg at Bramall Lane.
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“This is where the squad is vital and there will be rotation. Hopefully we can cope with the amount of games coming up. The manager made a lot of changes for the FA Cup replay against Burnley to give players like Christian Eriksen a rest.”
