Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale has dismissed talk of a crisis at the club following three consecutive league defeats.
After being among the title contenders, Spurs are now looking over their shoulder as London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea chase them in the quest for a Champions League spot.
However Bale insists that Spurs aren't panicking and are confident of turning recent form around to secure a top-four finish.
"It's not a crisis, just a blip. We're third-top, not third-bottom, and the manager has full confidence in us," Bale told the Guardian.
"He's not slaughtering us in the dressing room after we've lost to Manchester United or Everton. He knows we might have won both games, it was that tight, and it will go our way again."
Last year's PFA Player of the Year acknowledges how important a top-four finish is for Spurs, who may need Champion League football to persuade their star players to stay.
"We don't want to be losing players like Luka Modric in the summer, but if we get Champions League football there'll be no problem keeping the squad together. I have no doubt about that. We know what's at stake, but there's no panic," he said.
Spurs are currently third in the Premier League, a point ahead of Arsenal and four clear of Chelsea.
Joe Fish
