Van der Vaart: Spurs can win trophy this season

Posted Friday, September 10, 2010 by mirrorfootbal

Rafael van der Vaart is confident he will end his first season at Tottenham with a winner's medal.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp pulled off arguably the biggest coup of the transfer window by securing the services of the highly-rated Holland midfielder in an £8million move from Real Madrid on deadline day.

The 27-year-old completed his first training session at the club's training ground this morning as he looks to persuade Redknapp that he deserves a place in Spurs' midfield for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom.

Aside from a 2008 victory in the Spanish equivalent of the Community Shield, the Supercopa de Espana, Van der Vaart has not lifted a trophy since winning the Eredivisie with first club Ajax in 2004.

Spurs' extra workload in the Champions League is expected to put more pressure on Redknapp's squad, but Van der Vaart is nevertheless confident that the north London club has enough talent to win a trophy this year.

"I think we can win, with a bit of luck," the Dutchman said.

"We have a lot of talented players. We are a young team but for sure we can win things.

"Tottenham is a great team, a big club and I'm really happy to be playing here.

"It was my first day today and the training session was a nice one.

"We played a little game and it was nice to know everybody and I think we have a great team.

"So it will be a great season."

Should he make Redknapp's first XI for Saturday's game at the Hawthorns, he will come face to face with referee Howard Webb for the first time since the Englishman controversially issued nine yellow cards to the Dutch during this summer's World Cup final defeat to Spain.

Van der Vaart, an extra-time substitute that day, was one of those who avoided a booking in Johannesburg and holds no grudges against the Yorkshireman.

"It's Webb?" responded Van der Vaart when asked if he knew who would be refereeing Saturday's game.

"I don't have a problem with him.

"But he was a little bit unlucky in the final."