By SHAUN CUSTIS
TOTTENHAM’S Andre Villas-Boas says being robbed of a Champions League place is driving his side on to ensure they make it this time around.
Spurs finished fourth in May, only miss out due to Chelsea’s Champions League final triumph.
And AVB says the wild celebrations after Gareth Bale’s late winner at West Ham on Monday underlines just how much everyone is in the fight together.
The Tottenham boss said: “What you saw was down to what they have suffered in the past and what they want to achieve in the future.”
“You see a team that plays with so much passion and desire to achieve things “It’s never easy finishing in the position that they did, qualifying for the Champions League and seeing it taken away from them because it’s the rules.
“Everybody learns from experience. The Spurs players who felt that in their skin definitely take it as an example.”
Monday’s win lifted Spurs into third place and AVB, who replaced Harry Redknap in the summer, can sense how much his players want success against Arsenal in tomorrow’s North London derby.
But the Portuguese coach has also learned from experience, in his case, last season’s bitter reign at Chelsea. AVB added: “I feel like a different manager and a different person.
“I think I’ve improved a lot as a manager. Every person learns from their mistakes and you try to improve on those mistakes.
“Your man-management, your preparation for the game and your training sessions, everything is experience.”
Villas-Boas insists he is not motivated to finish above Chelsea by revenge. He said: “I don’t see it that way but obviously it would be excellent because it would mean we have qualified for the Champions League.
“I think the fact that we achieve it as a club means much more to the fans.”
Bale has scored eight goals in his last six games, revelling in a new role behind the main striker, but AVB insists Tottenham are not a one-man team.
He added: “Messi has scored 91 goals, take that away and see where Barcelona finish.
“From the first training session we had here we were immediately impressed by Gareth.
“Fortunately for us we were able to discover this form that he has playing through the middle.
“At the beginning of the season we tested it as he had never played as a striker before. It is a credit to him that in one month he was able to change from one position to perform at this level.”
Spurs have not finished above Arsenal in the league during Arsene Wenger’s near 17-year reign as Gunners boss.
And AVB admits it would be a huge breakthrough if they pull it off this season.
But Arsenal have been a thorn in Villas-Boas’ side — his Chelsea team lost 5-3 at home last season and Spurs crashed 5-2 at the Emirates in November.
He said: “There is a demand from everybody to achieve success in the fixture against Arsenal, independent of whatever position you finish in the league.
“Both teams will be up for it, it’s definitely a special game.”
