Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that winning trophies is only good for the ego and all Tottenham can expect to achieve this season is finishing in the top four of the Premier League.
Pochettino's side have been dumped out of two domestic cup competitions in under a week after losing in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup to Chelsea on Thursday before being beaten in the fourth round of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace last night.
It means that any realistic hope of winning silverware this season has gone, with Tottenham nine points behind Liverpool in the league and facing the difficult task of beating Borussia Dortmund in the last-16 of the Champions League.
Asked whether he and Tottenham needed to win a trophy to be considered successful, Pochettino said: 'We are going to create a debate that to win a trophy is going to help the club. I don't agree with that.
'That only builds your ego. In reality, the most important thing is being consistently in the top four and playing in the Champions League.'
Tottenham's depleted squad were easily turned over by Palace, who went ahead at Selhurst Park through Connor Wickham's tap-in before Andros Townsend scored from the penalty spot. Kieran Trippier's missed penalty only served to heap more misery on Pochettino, who conceded 'this season has been tough'.
'I told you it would be a massive challenge for us, but we believe it'll be a tough season but no tougher than it's been,' he said.
'Of course, disappointed because, after Thursday and today again, out of two competitions. You feel disappointed. You can't feel anything different.'
He added that the main aim now is to qualify for next season's Champions League. 'The realistic targets are trying to be in the top four, try and be close to Manchester City and Liverpool and reduce the gap,' he said.
'To be a contender is always difficult for us. That is realistic. Another is to try and beat Dortmund and be in the next round. That is tough. We are competing against a team who are doing fantastic in Germany, top of the table, and come back off the their holidays. They are all fresh and we are the opposite.'
Palace boss Roy Hodgson praised Wickham, who scored his first goal in 799 days following a long time out with a serious knee injury.
Hodgson said: 'Two years and three months... incredible, isn't it. It's a credit to him.'