Eric Dier believes Tottenham's aggressive approach is key to their fine Premier League form, and says that most teams no longer want to face the North London club after shedding their "soft" label.
Tottenham impressed with a 4-1 White Hart Lane victory against London rivals West Ham on Sunday, extending their unbeaten run to 12 top-flight games to go within two points of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Mauricio Pochettino declared his pride after the win, and Dier -- whose recent performances earned him his first two England caps earlier in November -- says the Argentine coach's high-tempo tactics are behind Spurs' success.
"Hopefully we have got rid of that 'soft' label because it is not a nice label to have," the 21-year-old told reporters. "I think we have proved a lot of people wrong. We have played some very aggressive football, we get stuck in, we get about, and I think we are a team most others don't want to play against.
"One of our main characteristics has been high-tempo football and we showed it again against West Ham. If we want to win that's how we've got to play. It's a characteristic of the team and it comes from the top. [Pochettino] wants us to play at 100 percent no matter what the score is or what time of the game it is."
Spurs have collected 29 yellows cards this season -- the joint-highest in the Premier League -- with Dier earning five of those cautions himself.
The player has started all but one of Spurs' league games this season having featured in a variety of positions, most recently in defensive midfield in Pochettino's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Dier said after the Hammers win: "Hopefully I've adapted to this new position. Hopefully I can keep playing well, the team can keep playing well and Harry [Kane] can keep scoring goals.
"I'm happy there [in midfield] but it's up to the manager. If he said to play anywhere else then I would."