When Andre Villas-Boas was handed an opportunity to rebuild his career at White Hart Lane, there were a few apprehensive looks from the Tottenham Hotspur supporters.

However, after a season spent in the top five positions of the Premier League, combined with the further blossoming of winger Gareth Bale, Villas-Boas has become a popular figure in North London. He couldn't, however, guide the club into next season's Champions League.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look back over an eventful nine months at White Hart Lane.

August

Tottenham failed to start the season in positive fashion, after they were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Villas-Boas looked to be heading to his first win as the club's boss at home to West Bromwich Albion, but he was denied by a last-minute equaliser.

September

It was a similar story at the start of September, as Norwich City struck with five minutes left to secure a draw at White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas finally secured his first success when Spurs recorded a 3-1 win over Reading, which was followed by a goalless draw with Lazio in their opening Europa League game of the season.

Spurs were beginning to look an improved side, and after they beat Queens Park Rangers, Clint Dempsey scored the winner to earn his side a 3-2 triumph at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

October

Spurs continued their winning run in the Premier League with a 2-0 triumph over Aston Villa, but it was brought to a shuddering halt as Chelsea scored four at White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas could only watch on as Tottenham drew twice on their travels in the Europa League, while they were dumped out of the Capital One Cup by Norwich City.

However, Spurs did end the month with a 2-0 win over Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.

November

Wigan Athletic stunned the home crowd by beating Spurs 1-0 at the beginning of the month, but they did earn their first win in the Europa League with a win over NK Maribor.

However, back-to-back defeats to Manchester City and Arsenal saw Spurs fall down the Premier League table.

They finished November in superb style, beating West Ham 3-1 before Gareth Bale proved the difference as Spurs beat Liverpool.

December

Tottenham began the final month of the year with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Fulham, before they qualified for the next stage of the Europa League with victory over Panathinaikos.

Two goals in stoppage time saw Everton edge out Spurs at Goodison Park, but they responded with seven points from their next three games, including a 4-0 win at Aston Villa, with Gareth Bale netting three.

Tottenham ended the year by coming from behind to defeat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

January

Spurs kicked off the year with a comfortable success over Reading, before they advanced in the FA Cup with an easy win over Coventry City.

After being held by Queens Park Rangers, Spurs picked up another point, this time against Manchester United, thanks to a last-minute equaliser from Clint Dempsey.

However, Leeds United beat the White Hart Lane outfit at Elland Road in the FA Cup, before a spectacular solo effort from Gareth Bale stole a point for his side at Norwich City

February

The Welsh winger was beginning to earn plaudits from all across Europe, and he further enhanced his reputation with match-winning contributions against West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United.

Bale's heroics continued as he scored two swerving set pieces to hand Spurs the advantage over Lyon, before a late Moussa Dembele goal in France earned his side a tie with Inter Milan.

Bale capped the month with two more goals, this time against West Ham United as Spurs began to tighten their grip on third position in the Premier League.

March

Tottenham started March by edging out North London rivals Arsenal to further cement their position in the top four, before a rousing display against Inter Milan earned Spurs a three-goal advantage to take to Italy.

Liverpool came out on top in a thriller at Anfield to halt Tottenham's momentum, and it nearly cost them at the San Siro, as they required an extra-time goal from Emmanuel Adebayor to sneak past Inter.

Spurs were beginning to look a tired side, and the alarm bells started to ring when Fulham beat them at White Hart Lane, but they ended the month with a narrow victory over Swansea.

April

Adebayor and Gylfi Sigurdsson saved Spurs from embarrassment in their Europa League first leg against Basel, and it required another late strike from the Icelandic midfielder to earn a point against Everton.

However, Tottenham were dumped out of the Europe on penalties in Switzerland to leave the club focusing all their efforts on sealing a Champions League place next season.

They appeared to be suffering from fatigue but three goals in the last 15 minutes against Manchester City appeared to be the turning point as Arsenal closed in.

Unfortunately the momentum was lost a week later after they could only draw at struggling Wigan Athletic, leaving their Champions League qualification in the balance.

May

Bale struck four minutes from time to earn Spurs a vital 1-0 win over Southampton, but they required victory against Chelsea four days later to keep their fate in their own hands.

They impressed to come from behind on two occasions, but they could only secure a point which handed the advantage over to Arsenal.

A late win at Stoke City kept Spurs in the hunt, but Arsenal's 4-1 triumph over Wigan meant that Tottenham needed the Gunners to either draw or lose on the final day of the season.

Tottenham kept up their end of the bargain when Bale added to his collection of great goals with a late curling effort against Sunderland at the Lane. However, Arsenal also got the win that they needed away at Newcastle, meaning that it will be another season of Europa League football for the Whites.