Under Harry Redknapp last season, the side blew a 12-point lead over bitter rivals Arsenal to finish a point behind them in fourth, but their poor form was punished even further when Chelsea went on to win the Champions League and take the fourth qualification spot in their place.

Former Spurs midfielder Waddle, 51, said that despite an indifferent start to the campaign, they certainly have the ability to finish as high again this year, but they needed to be more consistent.

"There's no reason why (they can't finish in the top four)," Waddle told Goal.com.

"You've got to aim for that sort of place and you've got to have targets to try and meet and they've got a squad that's good enough to challenge.

"They did well under Redknapp last year. OK, we've lost (Luka) Modric but we've brought in (Moussa) Dembele and (Clint) Dempsey, who are two great acquisitions and why not? What's stopping them?

"I look at the league at the minute, both Manchester United and Manchester City are stuttering. Arsenal look strong and Chelsea are still involved but they look more open.

"I always say with Tottenham they're either great or bad, there's no middle bit with them.

"And until they get that middle bit and are able to grind out results when they're not playing particularly well - AVB (Andre Villas-Boas) might install this - but on their day Tottenham can beat anybody but they can also lose to anybody.

"If they can sort out that middle bit, which is probably more of a mental thing than anything else.

"Sometimes you can be under the cosh for 85 minutes and go and win 1-0, that's what good teams do. Manchester United have got out of jail so many times already, but it's an art.

"You can finish a game thinking that you haven't played well but we've got three points here and I think if Tottenham can install that (mentality), they'll finish in the top four."