Despite Spurs being five points behind leaders Manchester United and having played a game more, manager Harry Redknapp has repeatedly declared them contenders as they look to land their first championship for half a century. And with his side having picked up nine points from nine over the festive period, he has made a believer of defender Dawson, who is adamant the north Londoners are in the frame. "Without a shadow of a doubt," he said after Gareth Bale's 11th goal of the season sealed a 1-0 derby win on Saturday. "Why not? We've got every chance. There are lots of teams in it. "Man City have had another win and United got the win at West Brom, so it's open." He added: "We go to Everton on Wednesday and we'll look forward to that and hopefully get another three points. "All we do is take it game by game and see where it takes us." Spurs have certainly shown the form of potential champions in recent weeks. Unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions, they ground out victory over Fulham, despite looking tired in what was their third match in six days. And having failed to keep a clean sheet in the league since the opening day, they have now managed two in succession, their new-found defensive solidity coinciding with Dawson's return from a serious knee injury last month. "Keeping clean sheets as a defender is always massive," the 27-year-old said. "You look at the goals that we're going to score in this football team, with the players we've got. "If we keep clean sheets it's a bonus for everyone, and obviously from a personal point of view, as a defender, that's all you can ask for. "Keeping clean sheets is something we've wanted to work on, and in recent weeks we've been doing that, so it's good." Dawson's return came days after summer signing William Gallas picked up a hamstring injury and Saturday was the first time the pair had played together. "William's been fantastic," Dawson said. "Obviously, he got injured and then my chance came along, from being injured, and this is the first time that we've played together and - with a clean sheet - we all go home happy." Gallas had been captaining Spurs in the absence of regular skipper Ledley King and understudies Dawson and Tom Huddlestone. Redknapp decided not to return the armband to the Frenchman and Dawson played down the significance of the decision. "I led the team out but, when you're on the pitch, the job's no different. "Whoever leads the team out, you know you've got the same job to do, and I don't change." Saturday's win, which lifted Tottenham back up to fourth ahead of Chelsea's match with Aston Villa, was overshadowed by the news Redknapp was trying to sign David Beckham on loan. Dawson refused to be drawn on the prospect of playing alongside the former England captain, saying: "To talk about players who aren't at the football club, it's not for me to do that. "I'll leave that for everyone else to do." Fulham, meanwhile, were left to reflect on another game where their lack of cutting edge cost them dear in the absence of injured talisman Bobby Zamora. With the England striker out until next month, manager Mark Hughes is desperate to sign a forward capable of firing the Cottagers out of the relegation zone. "It's pretty obvious what we're in the market for this January," he said. "If we can get quality in at the top end to give us a lift and a little bit of help then obviously we'll try to do that."
