Middlesbrough (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Kyle Walker has underlined the growing confidence at White Hart Lane by insisting Tottenham are targeting a clean sweep of honours this season.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday sitting third in the Premier League table and in buoyant mood after thrashing Gillingham 5-0 in the League Cup in midweek.

Tottenham have not enjoyed a completely unblemished start to the campaign, with the home defeat to Monaco in their opening Champions League group game coming as a major disappointment.

But flying England right-back Walker says there is a growing belief there are no limits to what the squad can achieve this season, at home and in Europe.

“We’re in it to win it, as they say,” Walker told the BBC’s Football Focus programme. “We’re in all the competitions and we want to win all the competitions. 

“We don’t go out there and say, ‘We’re not going to win this one today because we’re thinking about the other game’.

“With the depth of squad we have we can go out and attack every game and play the way that we play, knowing that if we’re not fit for one game the cover is there.

“Hopefully we can go far in each competition. I’d love to show my two little boys that daddy’s won a medal with Tottenham. Hopefully it can be this season.”

Pochettino strengthened his squad during the close season, adding Vincent Janssen, Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko, while Danny Rose became the latest established Tottenham player to sign a new, extended deal this week.

The Argentine coach hopes he now has the squad depth to sustain a title challenge after last season’s bid to catch Leicester faded badly during the final weeks of the season.

With striker Harry Kane sidelined with an ankle ligament injury, Pochettino’s squad is already being tested and Janssen has to shoulder responsibility for maintaining Tottenham’s goal threat.

The Dutch forward scored his first goal for the club against Gillingham and said: “I am ready to play. I feel bad for Harry but if he is fit I want to play with him.

“I have enough confidence and, if I hadn’t scored against Gillingham, for me I was sure I would score in the next game.”

– Bosses put friendship aide –

Aitor Karanka will put his friendship with Pochettino aside as he attempts to halt Middlesbrough’s mini-slump at the Riverside Stadium. 

The Middlesbrough manager took his coaching badges with his Tottenham counterpart and agrees that the Londoners can challenge for the Premier League title.

“We got to know each other on that course and a couple of years ago Tottenham were helpful in loaning us some players so we have a good relationship,” Karanka said. 

“He’s a good coach and a good friend, but that friendship has to go on hold as soon as the first whistle goes.   

“He’s done a really good job as a coach going right back to his time at Espanyol in Spain. He was close to winning the title with Spurs last season and I think they can challenge again this time.”   

Karanka, who remains without long-term injured duo Grant Leadbitter and Fabio, sees no reason why Middlesbrough should fear Tottenham, but he admitted his players have to sharpen their focus.

“There’s not been a game so far this season where we’ve been outclassed, it’s just a case of ironing out the mistakes that have proved costly so far,” he said.

“In the Championship you could drop your level for 10-15 minutes without much damage, but if you do that in the Premier League you’ll concede three goals.”