Brennan Johnson makes a claim about Tottenham’s Europa League aspirations that Spurs fans will love. But do the Lilywhites have enough to go all the way?

Tottenham looking to continue the perfect start

Spurs have won two in two in the Europa League so far, scoring a total of five goals in their two matches against Qarabag and Ferencvaros while conceding just one.

The Lilywhites will have one foot in the knockout stages of the competition if they can overcome Alkmaar at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday.

Ange Postecoglou is expected to rotate his squad for the clash against the Dutch side, with the North London club having a tough trip to Selhurst Park on Sunday.

Brennan Johnson announces ambition

Johnson has had his first taste of European football this season and the winger has certainly enjoyed it, having scored in both of Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures so far.

The former Nottingham Forest man admitted that he and his Spurs teammates are determined to go all the way in the competition this season.

Johnson told Tottenham’s matchday programme (as relayed by Football.London): “It’s been really cool playing in the Europa League. It gives you new experiences and also new styles of play.

We’ve been able to cope with the two teams that we played against. We’ve shown why we play at such a good level because we’re intense and showed why our style of football is really good at any level.

“It’s been a really good start to Europe and hopefully that can continue because that’s definitely a competition that we’re looking to win and I think we have enough to do that.”

Alkmaar cannot be taken lightly

The clash against Alkmaar will represent the toughest test that Spurs have had so far in the Europa League this season, with the Dutch side playing week-in, week-out in a much stronger competition than either Qarabag or Ferencvaros.

However, Spurs should have too much quality for the Eredivisie side even if Postecoglou rotates his troops. The Australian will have the option of bringing on the big guns if needed in the second half.

Brennan Johnson says he has one Spurs trainer to thank for recent form

Brennan Johnson reveals that one member of Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff has been working closely with him to improve different facets of his game.

Brennan Johnson unrecognisable from last season

While johnson had some promising moments last season, on the whole, his first year at tortenham was nothing to write home about. It was widely felt among Spurs fans that he was yet to justify the big fee that the club had paid for him.

However, the 23-year-old is now coming into his own, proving a major goal threat for Ange Postecoglou’s men so far this campaign, with six goals in his last seven outings for the club.

Johnson credits Spurs coach

The Wales international confessed that he is working hard to improve different facets of the game and expressed his keenness to add different strings to his bow.
Johnson admitted that Ryan Mason has been working closely with him to help him improve his positioning, shooting and decision-making.

The Spurs winger told the club’s matchday programme (via Football.London): “Last season most of my goals were kind of at the back post as we work on a lot of crosses and I’ll always have it nailed in me to get in there because l know there are goals to be had, like the one against [Manchester] United,” explained the former Lincoln City loanee.

“I want to show a bit of everything to be honest and want to keep doing what I’m doing at the moment. Obviously, if I can keep building and adding extra parts to my game then I will do that.

I’ve been working with the coaches here and especially with ‘Mase’. He’s been doing a lot of work with me on picking up positions, the different types of finishes, what kind of part of the foot I’m hitting with and also dribbling and then shooting, so a lot of thanks must go to him because he’s been helping me a lot with that.”

One big area of improvement

While Johnson has always been a good ball striker, what was letting him down last season was his lack of composure in front of goal.

The 23-year-old appeared to be snatching at efforts and panicking when he got to the final third but that is not something we have seen from him lately, with the former Forest man looking a lot calmer in front of goal.