The Dutchman knows ending the club's eight-year trophy drought is of huge importance but believes reaching the latter stages of three cup competitions shows progress is being made.

Spurs are also in the hunt for a top-six finish in the Barclays Premiership - they were sixth for a day before Everton's win yesterday - and have played 48 games already this season.

"We still have nothing but I feel we have done better than other Spurs teams over the last 20 years so that is a great feeling," said Jol.

"If we didn't manage to win the UEFA Cup or FA Cup I still feel we are doing better than before, we had 28 wins this year.

"We are close to convincing people we have a talented squad, hopefully people will give us a bit of credit now, I don't think there are teams outside the four who challenge in all the cups.

"At Spurs the only important thing is to win silverware. For me it is important to challenge all the time. We've had five quarter-finals in two-and-a-half seasons so that is good but it's not good enough."

The quarter-final replay against Chelsea will be Spurs' sixth game in 16 days, with the congestion continuing after the international break as their UEFA Cup campaign continues.

"On Monday, after the game there is a very tough scenario for us," said Jol. "I know the schedule and it's even more difficult than we had over the last couple of weeks."

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who scored a remarkable 95-yard goal in the win over Watford on Saturday, added: "We're optimistic, especially at the Lane.

"We rested a few of our so-called key players against Watford and hopefully that will benefit us on Monday."

Jol will meet Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho eight days after their lengthy discussion before the 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge.

"We always talk - two foreign managers about how difficult it is in England," said Jol. "He's special, not when he says it himself because I hate that, but I can say that."