Mauricio Pochettino, the Tottenham manager, says he will only start to think about winning the title when there are less than 10 games of the season remaining.
Talk of a title challenge has curtailed at White Hart Lane since Harry Redknapp's side threatened to launch an assault in the 2011/12 season when the club stayed in touch with the two Manchester Clubs until the end of February.
Dreams of a first league crown in 50 years were soon dashed after Spurs failed to win again until April 2012 and their miserable Spring was compounded when Chelsea's Champions League win denied them a place in the following year's competition despite finishing in the top four.
Bale and Modric spearheaded Tottenham's last title push before leaving for Real
Pochettino's side are undoubtedly involved in the most open title race in the Premier League era but the Argentine is not ready to talk up his side's chances just yet.
"I think we need to arrive in the last 10 games with the possibility to fight for our objectives," he said.
"The next nine or 10 games will mark our possibilities on how we can finish in the table.
"We are very quiet, we don't speak too much but work very hard.
Pochettino is happy for his Tottenham team to be flying under the radar Photo: Getty
"It's more important how we behave inside than speaking outside. Football is about winning games and to be close to win games you need to work hard and show better quality than the opponent.
"I think we are very quiet, we believe in ourselves and we are confident. In football anything can happen and this is why we believe. The only way we cannot achieve all that you achieve in football is if we stop working hard.
"We are very ambitious. Always we try to work hard and get a positive result but in football you need time. It's difficult to get time to develop the philosophies, to develop the players and to build a winning mentality. We're in a good moment but we need more time to deliver."
Harry Kane has been in goal-scoring form
Harry Kane's continued rise to stardom has rightly hit the headlines again this season but Tottenham's impressive defensive record should not be ignored.
Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have been indispensable parts of Pochettino's well-oiled defensive machine this season and their manager insists the trio are among the league's best.
"I'm very pleased with Dier because he started to play in a position which is his real position," said Pochettino.
"He's improved a lot, this is true. When I started to play in him as a holding midfielder we saw the quality that he can bring in that position.
Eric Dier has excelled in defensive midfield for Tottenham Photo: 2015 Getty Images
"If we analyse the past of his career, he got into the national team playing as a holding midfielder. Maybe in the future his best position will be as a holding midfielder or centre-back or full-back. He's very young and now he's very comfortable in the position he plays.
"It's obvious that Alderweireld, after 19 games, is one of the best defenders in the Premier League. It's easy to analyse him now, he adapts and has very good performances, with maturity and experience. He's a great man and we're very happy with him.
"They [Alderweireld and Vertonghen] are good partners. For me it's important how we work as a team to try and defend our wall and our 'keeper. It's important to have a good balance and it's true that Toby has made a very good impact on the team."
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