Matt Doherty believes that Antonio Conte's Tottenham team will benefit from a trimmed down squad following the club's January transfer business.
A key month for the club following the Italian's appointment as head coach back in November, the likes of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Bryan Gil and Jack Clarke all departed on loan to get regular game time elsewhere.
Transfer deadline day also saw Dele Alli depart on a permanent basis as he linked up with Everton after seven years in N17.
Having previously seen players miss out on the matchday squad due to the large numbers available to Conte, Tottenham's January business now means that more opportunities are available to all.
Having worked with limited numbers previously at Wolves, Doherty feels that it does bring everyone closer together.
"l definitely think it will help," he told the club's official matchday programme. "I had it at Wolves where you have a trimmed down squad. You kind of feel like you're always involved. Even if you are on the bench, you feel like you have a chance to come on.
"Everybody is also bit closer together and it is a good feeling knowing that you're either going to be on the bench or you're going to play every week. You're not worried about being in the stands or whatever.
"I think it brings everyone closer together and it also keeps you focussed and concentrated on the fact that you've got a chance of playing."
Barely featuring in the Premier League during the first part of the season, game time has been there for Doherty over the past few months under Conte.
Impressing off the bench in last month's thrilling 3-2 win at Leicester City, Doherty has stated that his performances are getting better and he's now finding his consistency.
"He's given me a lot of game time recently and I'm just trying to force my way into the team through training and doing well when I play," added the Republic of Ireland international.
"When l was signed from Wolves, I was a wing-back so, the shape that we play now, it does suit me. It is beneficial for me but, as well, as a player, you don't care where you play, you're just happy to be on the pitch.
"The manager has the trust in me to play these other positions and, having that versatility. l can do a job for the team.
"I feel though, until you're starting games consistently in the league, you don't get that rhythm, that confidence.
"It's hard to explain what that does for you but when you're 100 per cent confident in your game, you're doing things off the cuff, you're seeing the picture quicker, you're playing one touch, your movement is a lot better. You just have a clearer view and reading of the game.
"You want to play. You want to feel the rhythm. You want to build on performances. There is nothing better than playing games week in, week out. There's no feeling that can beat it when you're in the middle of that spell where you're constantly playing you feel great and everything else just follows in life and off-the-pitch stuff as well. It makes a big difference when you're playing week in, week out.
"I think my performances are getting better. l am becoming a little bit more consistent in the times that l am playing. l just want to keep doing that."
