Musn’t crumble! Berba sinks Spurs but AVB vows: We won’t blow it again this year

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS insists Spurs will not suffer another end-of-season slump and blow their Euro dream.

Tottenham have become infamous for chucking away the chance of a Champions League place late-on, no matter which manager is in charge.

They are now fourth and four points above bitter rivals Arsenal, who have a game in hand, after losing their second league game in a row.

They lost to Liverpool at Anfield and suffered defeat to Inter Milan in the Europa Cup in midweek, despite going through on away goals.

Boss AVB admitted: “We can’t hide from what has happened in the past but must make sure we avoid it again.

“It’s been a difficult month. But if we can find our form again, our confidence, our wins, then we can stop that cycle. We just have to carry on fighting and work hard.

“I’m confident we can do it. It’s not a factor in the psychology of the players and the most important thing is we’ve enough games left to stop it happening and get out of this situation.

“This result didn’t go our way, Inter Milan didn’t, Liverpool didn’t but there are still some positive things to hang on to and try and change the results.

“After our last two Premier League defeats in a row we went on a great run. I hope we can do the same again.”

Spurs looked to be surging ahead after beating Arsenal in the North London derby at the start of the month to go third. Now they face a fight to even finish fourth.

AVB said: “The top four has become a different situation over the last two weekends. Chelsea are back in third and Arsenal are still competing for the Champions League.

“We’ve enough games to get to third hopefully or bring Manchester City closer to us but that’ll be difficult.

“The margin with Arsenal is what you want to build on and we must get maximum points against Swansea and Everton. We couldn’t get the result we wanted at Liverpool, now the situation has shifted and Arsenal are in with a chance.

“We can’t escape that fact. After the international break we must get back to business and do our job against Swansea and Everton, try to collect six points and put us in a position where we can then play Manchester City at home with more confidence.”

Gareth Bale, who suffered an ankle injury scare before being deemed fit to play the second half, had one of his quietest games this season.

AVB said: “I’m not shocked by the result but it was a game that didn’t go our way.”