Joe Jordan admits Manchester United are in a much better position to challenge for this year's Barclays Premier League title than his own team Tottenham.

The Spurs first team coach does believe that the Londoners can resurrect their title bid in the next few weeks, however, but admits his players must show more consistency and ruthlessness if they are to put themselves back in contention.

Having spent most of the Christmas period revelling in the hype around Tottenham's title chances, manager Harry Redknapp now finds his team eight points adrift of league leaders Manchester City after a defeat at the Etihad Stadium and a draw against Wolves.

Spurs are 25-1 with some bookmakers to lift their first championship since 1961 and Jordan admits not having the experience of United, who are three points off the top of the table, counts against the White Hart Lane outfit.

Jordan, a former United player, said: "Tottenham and City won their last championship in the 1960s so it goes without saying it's harder (for either of those sides) to win it.

"United and Chelsea in recent years have proved they are champions and know how to do it.

"United, who have come in for a bit of criticism, are where they are not just because they have quality players, they have the knowledge of how to maintain the consistency.

"They can look back many times and know they have done it. That comes by having success in winning a championship.

"City haven't done it since the 1960s, neither have Spurs, so it's fair comment for people to question whether you can sustain it. We have dropped points but we have to accept it, get the results and get the consistency."

Tottenham were hugely unlucky not to come away with all three points from City two and a half weeks ago.

Jermain Defoe came within inches of putting Spurs 3-2 up before seeing their hopes evaporate with almost the last kick of the game as controversial striker Mario Balotelli scored a penalty to seal the win when he should have arguably not been on the pitch after a stamp on Scott Parker.

A poor 1-1 draw against Wolves and a very fortuitous FA Cup win over Watford followed that result, and Spurs also have had to deal with the problem of being without their manager as he contests two charges of tax evasion in a trial that may drag into next week.

But with games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and United coming up in the next month, Jordan believes Spurs can haul themselves back into contention.

"The City game was a big disappointment," Jordan said.

"It will be a lot more difficult but football can change in a few minutes like it did at City.

"We are in a reasonably healthy position and there are quite a number of games to come up between ourselves and clubs who will have a bearing on the top four, and that applies to Man City as well, so anything can happen.

"You would like to think that if we don't get stupid injuries and suspensions, that we could put up a (title) challenge.

"We could challenge and compete, on our day, with anyone in the league.

"Champions League is our priority but we would like to get it by finishing either third, second, or first."

Jordan, like fellow assistant manager Kevin Bond did last week, assured Spurs fans on Monday that it has been a case of business as usual at the club's training ground despite Redknapp's absence.

Redknapp, who denies the two charges against him, will be at Southwark Crown Court until around 5pm on Tuesday and then plans to dash across London to White Hart Lane to take charge of Tuesday's game against bottom club Wigan.

Redknapp is famed for his love of an 11th-hour deadline-day deal but his presence in court, and the fact that Spurs play Wigan a few hours before the window shuts at 11pm on Tuesday, should mean the club's deadline day dealings will be minimal.

Jordan insisted on Monday, however, that there was still a possibility some business could be done.

He said: "In the past Tottenham have come in with a late purchase and there's always a possibility in football.

"At this moment there is nothing imminent. All of the players are here."