In the final instalment of an exclusive three-part interview with the Haringey Independent, Spurs full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto reveals his heartache at getting pipped to the Champions League by Arsenal and explains how his relationship with manager Andre Villas-Boas is boosted by a shared love of fast cars.

He’s experienced the highs of European competition and the lows of sitting at the bottom of the Premier League but Benoit Assou-Ekotto has revealed that last season’s last-minute failure to reach the Champions League was one of his toughest experiences in a Spurs shirt.

“Last season was…different - it was a little bit difficult," said the 29-year-old. "I would prefer to finish eighth than finish fifth and miss out by one point.

“On the last game, all our hopes were with Newcastle (beating Arsenal) and when we saw the result, it was not easy.

“But one more time the manager told us, ‘we know what we did this season and we know what we have to do next season’.

“Many players were sad and the fans I guess were very sad but the next weekend the manager was saying, ‘next season we will do it’. We were sad but there was positivity too.”

This positive mental attitude is a key attribute Andre Villas-Boas introduced to White Hart Lane during his first season with Tottenham.

Spurs earned some vital late points in the second half of the season through this determination to fight until the final whistle.

And Assou-Ekotto says he has developed a unique relationship with the 35-year-old manager since his introduction at the start of last season.

He said: “It is a relationship I’ve never had before as it’s the first time I’ve had a young manager. I’m sorry to the other managers as they are not old but you know what I mean.

“Sometimes when we speak, my passion is the car and he likes the car as well and I’m surprised we can speak about things like that.

“But you remember he’s not an old man. He still likes the speed, so he likes the same kind of cars as me.

“It is strange to have a young manager but sometimes it is easier to explain if you have a problem to someone of the same generation - communication is easier.”

Tottenham Independent: Andre Villas-Boas on touchline at White Hart Lane

Villas-Boas has installed a positive attitude to the squad since his arrival at White Hart Lane

Assou-Ekotto had fractious relationships with former White Hart Lane charges Juande Ramos and Martin Jol before enjoying a close bond with Spurs resurgent Harry Redknapp.

And following AVB’s arrival last year, the Cameroon international says he is enjoying the unique approach from Jose Mourinho’s former right-hand man.

Assou-Ekotto said: “He’s from a new generation of manager so he sees the football in a different way – it’s a different way to work.

“It’s not so cool when you change managers but when you have a manager who comes in who has big positivity, has big professionalism and has a different way to work, it is cool.”