PETER Crouch believes that Tottenham have repeatedly proved they have the mental strength and resilience to pick the points they need to qualify for the Champions League this week. Victory against Manchester City tonight will cement...

By Ben Pearce

PETER Crouch believes that Tottenham have repeatedly proved they have the mental strength and resilience to pick the points they need to qualify for the Champions League this week.

Victory against Manchester City tonight will cement a top-four finish for Spurs, while a draw will leave the Lilywhites with their fate in their own hands ahead of Sunday's final-day trip to Burnley.

Harry Redknapp's side are in pole position for the thrilling run-in after their tense 1-0 win over Bolton at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

And Crouch believes that Spurs' ability to grind out those kind of results throughout the season shows that he and his team-mates have the mental toughness to finish the job in the next four days.

"We had to win on Saturday. We expected City to get a result and it has set Wednesday up for a cup final really," said Crouch. "Perhaps sometimes this season we haven't finished teams off but we have still got the right results.

"It would have been a lot easier against Bolton for instance if we had got a second goal, then it might have been three or four. But we couldn't do it and of course we got a bit nervy towards the end, and we were breathing a sigh of relief at the final whistle.

"But I remember looking at Manchester United sometimes and how they win

titles, and there have been a lot of times when they have won matches 1-0, even at home. As long as you scrape those wins that is all that matters.

"We have a lot more physical strength, a lot more mental strength and the resilience is

there. We seem to get results even when we have to dig in and fight, and maybe that has not been the case in previous years.

"It's changed. We have gone to places this season away from home and maybe in the past we would have gone under but now we are a lot more consistent. We have put a great run together and it is now down to two games.

"It's winner takes all on Wednesday. It can be a nerve-wracking time but City are in the same position as us. For both of us the game is a fantastic chance of getting there. It will be an exciting game of football, and I hope the match lives up to what is should be.