Scott Parker pondered the question that, in many respects, has come to separate the heart from the head at Tottenham Hotspur and is the big teaser at the business end of the season. What would he rather do: win the Europa League or qualify for the Champions League?

The England midfielder believes it is tough to decide and he looked to wriggle clear by saying that he wants both, which speaks for his indefatigable spirit if not quite the spirit of the debate.

Andre Villas-Boas has also maintained since becoming manager last summer that the two ought to be regarded as achievable goals. With Tottenham preparing for a Europa League quarter-final, first leg at home to Basel tonight and lying third in the Premier League, he may be proved correct.

Taste sweeter
Yet in terms of what would taste the sweeter, what would be the most cherished in the years ahead, when stories to grandchildren enter the equation, Parker was clear and even Villas-Boas appeared to waver from the party line. If football is about romance and glory, then Tottenham lifting the Europa League trophy in Amsterdam on May 15th could not be topped.

"As a player, there is nothing more rewarding than going to a final and lifting a trophy but we knew at the outset what we needed to do this season. So we'll probably look to take both.

Look back on
"Of course, for me personally, a trophy would be something to look back on more. I was at Chelsea when we won the league and Carling Cup so I saw what those days do for the fans and for your family, as well. I was injured for the final but I went along so I have some sort of understanding of how good those days are," Parker said.

Tottenham will be without striker Jermain Defoe who is out for two weeks with an abdominal tear.

"Winning trophies is also important. Chelsea finished sixth last season but it was totally overshadowed by the fact they won two trophies, including the biggest in the world [the Champions League] and so it was deemed a successful season," Villas-Boas added.
Guardian Service