Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists that his team are still some way short of being genuine contenders for the Premier League title.
Spurs are fifth in the table after nine matches, having won seven games overall and their last four on the bounce, which has left them five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
The Lilywhites have the opportunity to close that gap back to two on Monday night when they take on Manchester City at Wembley, in the biggest clash of the week.
Pochettino's men have ground out narrow wins recently despite not being at their best, which is traditionally the hallmark of title contenders, however, the Argentine boss has revealed that he is far from happy.
âThe season so far, itâs strange because my feeling is the worst feeling Iâve had in the five years that Iâve been here,â Pochettino told reporters. âItâs the worst. My feeling, but itâs the best start ever for the club in the Premier League. It's strange, no?
âI donât know, itâs so difficult to explain because many things happen, I am disappointed we are still waiting for the new stadium when the expectation was to be there at the beginning of the season.
âI donât know, many things happened in the summer, many things that make myself not in my best mood or best humour. I know I always have a good relationship with you [the press] but my feeling is not the best feeling, I had better feeling in previous seasons.â
The 46-year-old head coach has obviously been affected by Tottenham's recent failures in the Champions League, as a 2-2 draw against PSVÂ last week left them needing a miraculous turnaround in their final three group games to qualify for the next round.
Pochettino continued by stressing the fact that despite his team's perceived success, they have still yet to win any silverware, bemoaning their recent failures in big matches which have ultimately cost them a shot at glory.
"I think, like a team, we still didnât win nothing," He added. "We fail but we achieve. And of course always when we arrive at like a final game, we always fail.
âItâs about learning to compete. Itâs about learning to be better. Itâs about changing something we need to do different.
âOr maybe we are never going to learn because we have some quality but we cannot cross this level. I prefer to think that we will learn more and we need more time to improve as a team.Â
âStill we are not showing that level to be a real contender. That is my opinion."
âToday we need to fix other problems and different circumstances that happen that donât help the team or the club to only be focused on winning titles."