Quote Originally Posted by GB. View Post
On the mental strength issue - I'm still undecided on how strong/weak we are but think we are heading in the right direction. It can certainly be argued that we showed great character to put ourselves back into contention for the CL places after the awful start to the season - where some people - not myself actually started talking about the potential of being uncomfortably involved in a relegation battle.

However, once we had hauled ourselves into the situation where we were in control of our own destiny in relation to the automatic CL spot, the wheels completely fell of the wagon once again. We were out of sight as far as Chelsea was concerned and had chance after chance to leave Tottenham almost as far back - and in every occasion, we blew it. We eventually secured 3rd, not through any degree of brilliance, but as a direct result of one of the worst (if not the worst) goalkeeping displays I have ever witnessed.

This team has shown it can demonstrate resilience, togetherness and the fortitude to go on a good run - a run that without any catastrophic hiccoughs can result in a challenge (an ultimately unsuccessful challenge) but when the wheels fall off and we face adversity when still having control of our destiny, we show the same frailities that we have grown accustomed to over the years. The only constans during that period were Wenger and Rice. I hope that Bould can bring about enough influence to bear on the team when the inevitable challenges to our mental stregth arise next season.
Yes, I've thought about that too (ie the apparent mini slump at the end). Given the preceeding season that we had had, I think I'm inclined to give AW the benefit of the doubt in terms of the mental capability of his team - and acknowledge that the end of the season was more down to the fatigue of twice hauling ourselves back into contention; certain players - RVP in particular - running on empty; the absence of other players (Arteta/Mertesacker) key to the balance of our team...