Former Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel has hailed the impact of Mauricio Pochettino at the club and is confident Spurs have what it takes to end their want for a top four finish this season.

The team has fallen short of the club’s goal of Champions League football over the past number of seasons, with their run to the 2010/11 quarter-finals under Harry Redknapp – where they lost to Real Madrid – their most recent spell at Europe’s top table.

The seasons since have represented a series of near misses – including a fourth place Spurs missing out to sixth place Chelsea following the Blues’ shock Champions League final win in the 2011/12 campaign.

But ex-USA international Friedel insists a new-look Tottenham side, currently fifth after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at derby rivals Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run to 11 Premier League games, have a ‘great opportunity’ this year with defending champions Chelsea ‘well off the pace’.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the former Spurs, Liverpool and Aston Villa glovesman said: “I tip Tottenham to get into the top four this season, and that’s not because of my allegiance to them, I really believe in what Mauricio Pochettino is doing there.

“Mauricio Pochettino has done as wonderful job with instilling his philosophy and style of play with this Tottenham team.

“It’s high energy and they’ve got a very fit group of players, and the players Pochettino has kept have bought into his system. They believe in it.

“It’s not an easy system to play in, I can tell you from personal experience that it’s not easy training every day.

“It’s very enjoyable but it’s physically demanding and you have to stay on top of everything, your physical fitness and mentality, but he’s done a very good job and long may it continue.

“I don’t think anyone envisioned the problems Chelsea have had this season, but they’re well off the pace and there’s a great opportunity for Tottenham to get into the top four this season.”