Eric Dier says Tottenham are determined to improve upon their fine start to the Premier League season.
The stadium uncertainty – their new White Hart Lane ground is still to be completed – and losses in the Champions League to Inter Milan and Barcelona may have led to some negativity at Spurs.
But six wins from eight games, after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Cardiff at Wembley, is Spurs’ best start in the Premier League era.
Dier, whose first club goal since April 2017 proved the winner, told Spurs TV: “At times things haven’t felt very good at the beginning of this season.
“Maybe we’re a bit out of touch with reality sometimes. We always want to do better. Overall we’ve had a really positive start.
“We wanted to start well. In recent years it may be one of the criticisms that we haven’t started so well.
“I think we can be happy where we are. We can always do better and now when we get back from international duty there’s a chance for us to keep improving.”
Dier is set to link-up with England, as will Danny Rose, who needs to have a groin problem assessed after his substitution against Cardiff.
Despite falling to the foot of the table and Cardiff’s winless run continuing – they have two points from eight games – Neil Warnock is confident his job is not on the line after earning an unexpected promotion.
“All you can see is a group of players giving everything,” Warnock said.
“Two years I’ve been in the job (on Friday) and it’s like Roy of the Rovers where we’ve come from.
“I’m not sure where the club would go if I did leave, unless (super agent) Jorge Mendes brings a manager and five or six players in January and has two or three clubs.
“He’s very supportive Vincent (Tan, the Cardiff owner).”
Warnock knows results are what matters, but believes he has the support of the Cardiff players and supporters.
“That hurt (against Burnley), because we were so superior and we end up losing 2-1,” he added.
“I couldn’t fault them (at Wembley). I thought there were some good pluses.
“We’ve got Fulham, the big spenders, next time (on October 20). We’ve got to be ready for that and try to get our first win then.
“We’ve got to get results. I don’t want to get relegated. I don’t like losing.
“You can’t be dwelling on it too long, you’ve just got to keep going. I’ve got a great group of lads and the fans have been amazing. They’re totally behind me. It’s fabulous to know that.”