Danny Rose is pleased to have silenced his critics and repaid Tottenham’s faith in him after becoming a key player for club and country.
The left-back noted a number of disparaging comments from Spurs fans when he was given a five-year contract in July 2014 – but there was a far warmer response when the 26-year-old signed a new deal in September this year.
It reflects Rose’s increased importance to the Lilywhites, while he has also established himself as England’s first-choice left-back – and he is enjoying his status and the plaudits he has been receiving.
“It makes a change,” he said. “I remember what people used to say about me a few years ago. There were a lot of negative comments, even when I signed my contract before last.
“It wasn’t nice but I feel as if I’ve got a strong character. I tried not to dwell on it too much. I’ve got a great small circle around me in terms of family and close friends and they’ve helped me massively to try and turn my form around from what it was a few years ago.
“The manager has also come in, put his arm around me and given me confidence and made me feel that I could be one of the best in this league and in Europe.
“It’s nice that people do say nice things about me, but I just want to improve. I owe my manager and this club a lot for sticking with me and I feel as if I’m playing some good football at the minute, for club and country – as we all are – and I just want it to continue.”
Rose was involved in the creation of Harry Winks’ first Tottenham goal on Saturday as Spurs came from behind twice to beat West Ham 3-2 at White Hart Lane.
The victory has lifted the squad after a seven-match winless run and provided an invaluable confidence boost as the Lilywhites prepare for their critical penultimate Champions League group game against Monaco.
“It was massive, considering we hadn’t won for a while in the league,” said Rose. “To go behind twice and then come back, it’s a massive win and it sets us up nicely for a massive week for the club.
“If we don’t win [in Monaco] it looks like we’re out of the Champions League, and we’ve worked so hard for years and years to get this opportunity.
“We know if we don’t win on Tuesday we’re more or less out of the competition, so the manager will put out a strong team I’m sure and we’ll be going to win that, and then to win on Saturday against Chelsea.”
If last season’s clash at Chelsea is anything to go by then the weekend’s derby will be fiercely contested.
Nine Spurs played were booked in the infamous Battle of Stamford Bridge on May 2 as the Blues fought back from 2-0 down to grab a draw that ended Tottenham’s title challenge with two games of the season remaining.
“The feeling after the Chelsea game last season is one I never want to feel again,” said Rose. “There were people upset, crying, in the changing room after that game and it was a feeling that we never want to feel again as a club.
“I hope everyone’s learned from that and we’re going to try to push on this season. The results went for us at the weekend and it was imperative that we got the win [against West Ham].”
Unfortunately, Rose will miss the resumption of Tottenham’s rivalry with Chelsea due to suspension, having picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the Premier League against the Hammers on Saturday after a foul on Michail Antonio.
“I’m gutted,” he said. “I was aware that I was on four bookings before we played Arsenal. I tried my best not to get booked in that game and it’s just a stupid foul that I’ve committed. Sometimes you can do tactical fouls but I’m kicking myself, it was so unnecessary.
“That [game against Chelsea] was the first fixture I looked at in the summer and I’m gutted that I’m going to miss it. But I’ll be there, either travelling with the team or in with the fans and I’ll make sure I’m there to support the guys.”
(Ham & High)
