Heung-min Son believes Tottenham are in the midst of the biggest 10 days of their season and says Sunday's win over Brentford was important in restoring confidence to the squad.
Spurs face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final decider at Anfield on Thursday, leading 1-0 from the first leg, before an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Aston Villa next Sunday, in a double-header which feels crucial to their hopes of salvaging a difficult season.
Last week, Ange Postecoglou's side booked their place in the Europa League knockouts with a win over Elfsborg before a scrappy 2-0 victory at Brentford ended a run of four straight league defeats.
"Looking back from the Europa League game too, I think this may be the biggest ten days for this team this season," said Spurs captain Son, who made both goals in West London on Sunday.
"We’ve played well past two games and I always say how I approach every game every season like a final.
"This cup game [against Liverpool] is so important, as it is just one step away from a final. We need to be well prepared, and hopefully we can bring back a positive result so we can head to Wembley. As a team, we need to prepare well for this game so we can be in that situation.
"It was so important to break that losing streak and get that win. It helps build our confidence and find our rhythm. I think we need to praise how all the players played well in a stable defensive structure as well when needed.
"I say again how important it is to get the confidence back in the squad and have a calmer atmosphere in the team.
"We can say it is a difficult and challenging time for us, and a win helps us keep the team united. I think the players need to be praised for the sacrifices they made today and the hard work they put in.
"Players like Ben Davies are always there to motivate the team, and I’m happy to have been helpful to the team as one of the senior players as well. No one compensates players for their hard work, so as captain, I think I gave them praise where it was needed."
Radu Dragusin is the latest defender to suffer an injury -- and set to see a knee specialist on Monday -- while neither Cristian Romero nor Micky van de Ven deemed fit enough to start against the Bees, leaving Spurs with a makeshift back four of Pedro Porro, Archie Gray, Ben Davies and Djed Spence.
This is a dream stage for those young players, and they’re giving it their all and working hard to gain their place in the team
Heung-min Son
Postecoglou's side, though, kept a hard-fought clean sheet, with the manager singling out Gray and Spence for particular praise afterwards.
"They’ve been working so hard from a young age, and they’re being rewarded for it," said Son. "I’m proud of each of them.
"Not just Djed Spence but also Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Sarr scored a goal today coming on as a substitute.
"Mikey Moore played well for us from the start today. This is a dream stage for those young players, and they’re giving it their all and working hard to gain their place in the team. I’m happy they seem to be getting the rewards for their hard work.
"But this isn’t the end product, so I hope as their teammate we can give them even more encouragement to grow and show their talents.
"I think all the players have a bigger role than just me in the team," the Korean added. "Players like Davies and [Fraser] Forster and other senior players are there to help me, and we’re all trying to push the younger players coming through the team. It’s not always shown to the outside world, but the senior players I mentioned play a big part in the team, and I think it needs to be recognised more. I’m always thankful to them, and I’m always proud to be their teammate."
