Harry Redknapp insisted Tottenham's 'laid-back' attitude could be the key to securing one of the Champions League places after a frustrating afternoon at Sunderland.

Redknapp saw his side extend their poor recent record to just one win in seven Barclays Premier League games with a goalless draw at the Stadium of Light – but it was still enough to nudge to third.

With mind-games already breaking out across the end-of-season run-in, Redknapp shrugged off suggestions the pressure might be starting to tell as Spurs go into this afternoon's game against Norwich at White Hart Lane.

'You've seen teams get in positions where the pressure gets to them, but I think we're quite a laid-back bunch and will just get on with it,' he said.

'I don't think the players get as uptight as I do or the punters do. We're in a great position and I think we're still in the box-seat. It will come down to who plays best.'

Redknapp admitted his frustration at what he believed were negative Sunderland tactics, with his side seldom managing to threaten home keeper Simon Mignolet.

Redknapp added: 'We started the game well but they sat in and made it difficult. They just said, 'come in and try to break us down', and it was difficult.

'It's difficult when teams don't come out so there isn't a lot of space for us to get in behind them. Having said that I did think we had two or three good chances.

'I came in at half-time and felt it was a game I would be disappointed if we didn't win, but a point is a point after two tough away games in the last week or so.'

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill naturally disagreed with Redknapp's view but insisted his side's battling quality was the only thing that could match Spurs' attacking talent.

O'Neill said: 'The news is coming through that Tottenham are a bit frustrated, but we had to play strong. We don't have the same resources at this stage of our development. It's interesting because last week at White Hart Lane I felt Harry started out in a manner to stop Swansea playing.'

O'Neill was pleased with a point but like Redknapp also expressed frustration over the deadlock, saying: 'Considering our last two games against teams vying for the title and Champions League, we didn't reach those same heights.'