Gareth Bale voiced his approval with caretaker manager Ryan Mason's new attacking blueprint after his brilliant hat-trick during Tottenham's 4-0 win over Sheffield United.
Tottenham kept themselves in the Champions League qualification race, with fourth-placed Chelsea five points ahead of them with four games remaining.
Bale was unplayable and took his Premier League tally to eight goals in the last eight games, but with that must come a sense of what might have been this season.
The Welshman was alarmingly under-used by former boss Jose Mourinho, even when he had regained peak condition, and playing with freedom in a front four with Harry Kane, Heung-Min Son and Dele Alli, Spurs were a constant threat and a far cry from the pragmatic style that dogged Mourinho's era.
After scoring his first Tottenham hat-trick since 2012, Bale told Sky Sports: "It's always nice to get another hat-trick and another match ball.
"I remember my last hat-trick - Villa away I think. It was a while ago and it's nice to get a hat-trick, but more importantly it's three points for the team and we move on to the next one.
"It was a great performance by everyone especially Serge [Aurier, who provided two assists]. I said if it was three assists he could have the match ball.
"Winning always makes everyone happy and gives a winning mentality to the dressing room. It's not going to happen overnight but I feel like we're taking a step in the right direction.
"Obviously you have to take your chances when they come, and thankfully I had a few tonight. I'm feeling good. As I've said before I just needed to play games and get a run of games and I'm doing that now, so I'm happy and when I'm happy I normally play well.
"It was a great performance by the team. From the first whistle I felt we were on the front foot and got control of it and played some good football. I feel like we are taking a step in the right direction and playing more like the Tottenham way."
Could Bale stay at Spurs?
On Bale's stylish performance, Tottenham interim boss Ryan Mason said: "I said all along Gareth hasn't and won't lose that ability in the final third to produce moments of excellence. He's a world-class player - he's proved that over many years. The most pleasing thing about him tonight was his attitude, his running for the team."
Asked if Bale's loan spell for Real Madrid could yet be extended, Mason said: "I think that is a discussion once the season is done. Our priority is the next game."
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